Mixing BF with FF

[samantha_sarah]

Is that safe to do? I know you dont introduce a bottle until BF is fully establised but just wondered if i could BF and then FF at an odd feed should expressing my milk not go to plan.

Also i know with BF you can never really tell how much LO has had but when you express or FF how my Ozs per bottle should you have per feed?

Really appreciated x x x

 

[angie0235]

Yes you can mix the two. It's hard to say how much your LO will need in oz. See how much you can express as this might give you a guide as to how much your baby is taking. I mixed BF and FF and did it quite early on (about 32weeks) by my OH giving the last evening feed of formula or expressed. Good luck x

 

[Wobbles]

Combination feeding - I wanted to do this but found the information confusing.

Could ask to speak with a HV at your local clinic rather than MW before LO is born?

 

[codegirl]

I've had to do this from day 2 until just this week (week 5). I had trouble with my milk and pain and until I found out that I had a yeast infection I was "chickening out" and giving a bottle. Edward had no problem with the mix, it did cause more poops but the dr. said that that was normal when mixing BF with FF. I'm excited that I've gone over 72 hours without needing to supplement but it's there if I, or Edward, need it.

I know that some babies might have trouble going back and forth between bottle and breast, but I was very fortunate that Edward never had a problem.

 

[sparkle]

We've done both from about 12 weeks. I'm happier and so is he. The hv and gp have been supportive so you could ask at your baby clinic.

 

[Kimboowee]

I was hoping to do this too!! I've got a breast pump incase i fully decided to give him breast milk, from either me or the bottle...But don't know how much i would have to express into the bottle??

Whether i could get the standard amount in ozs for his age or whatever...

 

[sparkle]

I started off by pumping. How much you need to pump depends on your LO's age. I waited until my bf was established then at about 4/5 weeks started pumping and giving a bottle. He had 2-4 oz per feed. Now if I express I need 7-8 oz!

 

[Chellebelle]

I started to do this last week as I am too impatient to express.

I tried about 3 weeks ago and he wouldn't take it, but then last week I went to work for 5 hours and left Simeon with his Auntie and 4oz of SMA readymade Gold formula. She warmed it up in hot water when he was hungry and he took the whole lot and was satisfied afterwards. When I fed him later he was fine, no trouble latching on or no unusual behaviour so I am going to do this 2 / 3 times per week now, just to give me a break sometimes and let OH do some of the work hehe.

I am now making bottles of 4oz at a time as it seems to be just enough for him and if he needs more he will just take extra feed off me next time I feed him.

xxx

 

[angie0235]

Yes you can mix the two. It's hard to say how much your LO will need in oz. See how much you can express as this might give you a guide as to how much your baby is taking. I mixed BF and FF and did it quite early on (about 32weeks) by my OH giving the last evening feed of formula or expressed. Good luck x

Sorry that should have said 2 weeks not 32 weeks!

 

[Pyrrhic]

You really need to talk to your HV before combination feeding, as the different milk sources do different things to the baby's digestive system. Its certainly not recommended if you can express instead.