Help, how much formula for breastfed baby?

[Cheesepuff]

I have been exclusively breastfeeding Alex since birth, but have been expressing and his daddy has given him the occasional bottle, so we're hoping we'll have no issues getting him to take a bottle, but we have decided to introduce formula into his diet this week, as I need to get out of the house & don't have enough expressed milk....

I am not sure though how much formula we should give to him in a bottle? He's a big baby, just over 14 lb and has been feeding on demand approx. every couple of hours during the day. Should I stick to the rule, 1 oz per hour when giving formula or how much should we give him?

I don't want to over feed him with formula, but worried we won't give him enough either....

 

[sparkswillfly]

Meadow will only take what she wants she wont continue drinking if shes full. Try with 5oz in a bottle and see how much he takes. If he takes it all you know to up it to 6oz next time.

 

[Cheesepuff]

I'll get the bottle ready and see how much he'll take tonight. 5 oz sounds like a lot though, as we have been giving him max 3 oz of expressed breastmilk in a bottle, as he feeds on demand every 2-3 hours... I bet he won't know what has hit him when he gets the bottle

 

[asacia]

I wouldn't give more than 3oz at a time. Breastfed babies have little tummies and regularly giving large amounts can stretch them. I'd start with a 3oz bottle, then another little one later on if he needs it. Little and often is best.

 

[rach321]

Pick an amount - say 3 or 4 oz then if LO drains it, add an ounce to the next bottle - its going to be trial and error for a few feeds

 

[Cheesepuff]

Thanks ! We chickened out tonight, as hubby decided to go and have few pints with the lads :0 Sooo, we'll give it a go on Saturday instead and will start with the 3 oz and see how he gets on .

 

[asacia]

Are you planning on mainly directly breastfeeding with the occasional formula feed?

 

[Mum2b_Claire]

My HV said you can't overfeed a baby...they'll just spit up any excess. He might take a few days to get used to formula as it is slightly harder to digest than breastmilk.

 

[Cheesepuff]

I am planning on breastfeeding for another while with the occasional bottle of formula thrown in when I need to get out without him (couple of bottles a week max). I love breastfeeding and don't want to give up quite yet, but due to practicalities we will need to introduce the formula as well.

Thanks

 

[asacia]

I am planning on breastfeeding for another while with the occasional bottle of formula thrown in when I need to get out without him (couple of bottles a week max). I love breastfeeding and don't want to give up quite yet, but due to practicalities we will need to introduce the formula as well.

Thanks

A good article to read:
https://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/bottle-feeding.html

About how to bottlefeed a breastfed baby, safely and to preserve the breastfeeding relationship.