Mixing Breast Milk with Formula - La Junta,CO

Updated on April 11, 2008
C.C. asks from La Junta, CO
5 answers

Hey all, I'm pretty sure this has been answered but I can't find it anywhere. But I have a 5wk old and she is breastfed but my milk either seems to give her belly aches or it just doesn't stay with her very long. She is nursing every 1 1/2 to 2 hours consistantly around the clock and ends up being really fussy after each feeding so we've dcided to suppliment formula with at least every other feedng if not every feeding. So I was wondering can we and how do we mix pumped breastmilk and formula together. Do we treat the milk like the water and add formula to it or does that make it too thick or potent? Or do we make formula like regular and add equal parts of milk to it, like 2oz prepared formula with 2oz milk to make a 4oz bottle? Which way works or is this even a good idea to do? Thanks in advance for the advice.

C. C.

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M.O.

answers from Denver on

I don't think she is getting enough hind milk. That is the fattening good stuff! Idealy she should be nursing for between 10-20 min on each side (it's okay if she doesn't eat from the second side). My 5mo. old rarely exceeded 15 min. after she was 8 weeks. Anyways, it is highly unlikely that your milk is giving her a tummy ache. It's more likely that formula will do that. She may be sensitive to something in your diet (milk, cinnamon, tomatoes...) but remember that women in India and Africa nurse their babies for years without issue and spicy diets, so that is less likely too. It sounds to me like she is still hungary.
Giving her formula will not encourage your milk production it will decrease it since she is not nursing as long or as often.
The protiens in breast milk are much more easily digested than the longer protiens in formula, and that is why formula keeps them fuller for longer. However, the baby does not get as many benifits becasue they have to spend more time breaking stuff down before their bodies can use it.
It will get better. You have to remember that she is barely a month old. She will be nursing often for a while, and then the time between feedings will increase, I promise.
Mother's milk tea is wonderful to increase your milk production.
I would suggest giving her bottles of breast milk and see if that helps. Pump till you are empty and offer her that. Then she will be geting hind milk. If she is still fussy check you diet for common irritants. If that doesn't work, try gripe water, she might just be gassy.
Have you seen a lactation consultant? They would be a great resource for you. "The Nursing Mother's Companion" would be a great help! This book adresses every issue that a nursing mommy can have (answers all the questions you didn't even know you had) and supports you in your quest to give your baby the best. I would invest in that as well!
I'm not sure where you live, but you can start going to La Leche Leauge meeting too! All the kidlettes can come along.

My advice is to not suppliment. At least not yet. Not until you have exausted all other avenues. Women have been nursing for thousands of years with no option for formula, it's in your genes! You can do it, you might just have to adjust something to make your little girl happy after her snacks.

I could go on all week about the things you should try and do instead of formula, but you have kids to attend to, I'm sure.

There are lots of nursing moms, such as myself, on mamasource and would be willing to answer any question you might have.

Keep going with the nursing, you can do it!

2 moms found this helpful
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A.S.

answers from Denver on

I agree with all the PPs. Supplementing with formula isn't necessary and will interfere with your supply. I know how difficult it is in the beginning when you are so uncertain about whether your baby is getting enough. If you still have doubts I would try posting your question on the La Leche League forum:
http://forums.llli.org/

1 mom found this helpful
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K.D.

answers from Denver on

Is she nursing long enough when she eats? It sounds like she's not getting hind milk. She should nurse on the first side for 10-15 minutes at least and then nurse on the other side until full, usually another 5-10 minutes, at least. You can mix milk and formula. Just make the formula normal and mix however you want. Can be 50/50, but doesn't have to be. The other thought, is, if she's nursing long enough, she may not have a strong enough suck. If that's the case, it's better to see a feeding specialist, as that can lead to other eating problems as well as speech problems. GL and congratulations on your little one!

1 mom found this helpful
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A.G.

answers from Norfolk on

I completely agree with the pp. It looks like she covered everything, so I'll just add good luck. I'm sure you'll figure it all out and she'll do just fine.

Take care.

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D.K.

answers from Denver on

Hey C..
My daughter had issues with not being able to suck well and didn't take to the breast well. She was very small at birth. I did bottles and pumped and alternated breast milk and formula. When everything I ate bothered her stomach I started mixing half breast milk with half formula, make the formual per instructions first then add in breast milk.
I did this for a month then by month three she was on special pre digested formula and did great on it. The formula stayed with her longer and she didn't struggle to suckle. I know you can go to a specialist to get counseling too.

After each feeding, try mylicon drops, they helped a ton with my daughter. Also Nutramigen formula was a miracle cure for my daughter too. I was basically down to bread and water as anything I ate bothered her tummy and when she went on the special formula she went four hours between feedings, grew and gained weight a lot quicker.
Talk to your Pediatrician.

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