Combo feeding new baby?

[happynewmom1]

I know it's early and I may change my mind but I'm considering using some formula and breastfeeding our new baby. I breastfed all the other kids for 13 months, 14 months and now 18 months with absolutely no desire from the toddler to stop lol I, however am drained and I desperately need a break. This baby came as a total surprise to us and I was really eager to get my body back to myself for awhile. So it would be for selfish reasons.

Our oldest we did give some formula too as well because when he was a newborn they freaked me out saying he wasn't gaining enough (I know better now. He wasn't losing and ended up being our cubbiest baby lol). In many ways he was easier because of it. Not for sleep but I could much easier leave him with family and I found going out easier. Without feeds always on my shoulders. I did try pumping and bottles with the other kids but they never took to it.

So I guess for me those are the pros to combo feeding but the cons I mean.. It's cheaper to breastfeed and I was always proud of the accomplishment behind it as well as bonding experience.

Does anyone have thoughts or experience with this?

 

[nicem815]

I combo fed with BM and formula because I also was too to supplement because of her having issues gaining weight. Like you, I have more experience now but it's always scary hearing that the first time. I don't regret giving her formula, but I do want to try exclusive BM this time around.

I think you have to do what you feel most comfortable with. Keep in mind that you may change your mind after you have the baby, though...perhaps your 18 month old will wean, or be nursing less, at the time your new little love is born.

Bottom line, if you feel like you want to do combo, do combo! If your baby is healthy and fed, that's all that matters....besides, you are still planing on giving BM, too. So he will be getting the mommy milk even if it's not full time.

 

[happynewmom1]

I combo fed with BM and formula because I also was too to supplement because of her having issues gaining weight. Like you, I have more experience now but it's always scary hearing that the first time. I don't regret giving her formula, but I do want to try exclusive BM this time around.

I think you have to do what you feel most comfortable with. Keep in mind that you may change your mind after you have the baby, though...perhaps your 18 month old will wean, or be nursing less, at the time your new little love is born.

Bottom line, if you feel like you want to do combo, do combo! If your baby is healthy and fed, that's all that matters....besides, you are still planing on giving BM, too. So he will be getting the mommy milk even if it's not full time.

Thank you so much for such a supportive and sweet comment! I guess it's something I can play by ear and see how I feel. If Aliya would wean and I get a bit of a break before the new baby gets here then you are right. Maybe I will feel differently! I have been so exhausted with Aliya because she won't let me leave her with anyone but my husband for a few hours and still wakes so often to nurse at night.

It's nice to hear from someone who has done combo feeding! Thank you for replying! I hope everything goes well breastfeeding for you and your new baby!!

 

[mara16jade]

I see no problem with combo feeding. You need to do what is best for you and your family.

I'm curious though. How do you combo feed? How do you decided when to breastfeed and then when and how much formula to feed? I never could really figure that out.

 

[happynewmom1]

I see no problem with combo feeding. You need to do what is best for you and your family.

I'm curious though. How do you combo feed? How do you decided when to breastfeed and then when and how much formula to feed? I never could really figure that out.

That's my biggest question right now. I've been doing some research on it but I think it's hard because I've always done breastfeeding on demand whereas there can be more of a schedule with formula. There seems to be different opinions out there. From all I've read even with combo feeding, it's best to exclusively breastfeed for at least the first six weeks. Then some people said they slowly added in a bottle of formula to replace a feed every day. I don't know how much though. I was thinking after the 6 weeks maybe I'd give baby a bottle before bed.. Only problem is at that age they never really had one. Although maybe this time I'd try getting a routine going. I don't know.. I don't really have it quite figured out yet. Plus all my babies had a hard time accepting bottles waiting until 6 weeks. The only baby I've had who would take a bottle no problem was my first and we introduced a bottle of expressed milk when he was like a week old not realizing we weren't supposed to. He still breastfed perfectly. So I'm thinking about all of this. I have always put a lot of pressure on myself when it comes to breastfeeding and seeing as this one will be our last, I want to enjoy the little moments and not stress.