BF Moms-- Supplementing with Formula

I am going to bite the bullet and do this tonight.

I have some questions though-- my Ped's office wasn't too specific in how to start-- basically said whatever i wanted to do, but I don't know what TO do.

I have been feeding her every 3 hours for the last two days. So, she is due for another feeding at 5. After which we'll play for a little, she'll get her bath, then we'll begin bedtime routine.

She is usually in bed by 6:15/6:30. I always nurse her as part of bedtime routine no matter when she last ate.

So, here is my question... When do I try the formula?

Should I make the 5:00 feed BM and Formula in a bottle? Should I try a small amount of formula (2 oz in a bottle) at bedtime after I nurse her??

Re: BF Moms-- Supplementing with Formula

When I supplemented DS I offered him 2oz of formula after nursing him, so he always got BM first.

As I was switching him from supplementing to EBF, I stopped giving him the 2oz after nursing and just gave him a 4oz bottle as his last feeding before bed, but I still had nursing as part of his nighttime routine.

DS does not go to sleep as well when nursuing is omitted, which is a little tougher on babysitters!

You'll have to see what works for you guys, you may want to make the bottle part of her night time routine, so having a babysitter put DD down is easier, but you may have to be prepared for having trouble getting her to bed for the next few days as she adjusts to the new routine.

Or just give her the last feeding of the day in a bottle if you don't want to disrupt her routine

Re: BF Moms-- Supplementing with Formula

randi, i don't think there's a "right" way to do it... i think it's just going to be a trial and error thing.

i say just pick a feeding and make part of it formula. the bedtime one might not be a bad idea because a) she will be tired and less likely to resist, and b) like the ap pointed out, giving formula at bedtime might free you up a little bit in case you're ever out and need a sitter to do bedtime.

Re: BF Moms-- Supplementing with Formula

ok-- so I just fed her at 5, then did a bath, etc.

I nursed her again at like 6 15 and offered a 2oz bottle of formula. She ate it right up and acted like she wanted more. I had DH make some more and she went for the bottle, then acted disgusted by the taste and refused it. I guess she didn't really know what the first bottle was.

I know I have to mix for her to take it, but I didnt know how much to make that bottle-- also since the entire feeding is "supplemental" in a way-- just part of bedtime, where she wouldn't eat the same as a regular feeding.

Anyway-- giving her some formula made me a little sad.

Re: BF Moms-- Supplementing with Formula

Re: BF Moms-- Supplementing with Formula

Well DD was almost EBF until I went back to work, but she has had some formula here and there(even in the hospital bf my milk was fully in)

When I went back to work I did not have a huge supply stocked up, so I had to start giving her some fornula... I am only able to pump once during the day.

I did not mix the formula in with bm in the same bottle. The formula bottle was just formula. Mostly because if bm lasts alot longer than formula I don't want to waste the bm if she doesn't finish the bottle. Once it's mixed with the formula, you have to go buy the formula rules.

DD tolerated the straight formula just fine, but like I said she had it on occasion since birth.

And don't feel bad. It's great you were able to EBF this long. Plus yyou still are bfing.

Re: BF Moms-- Supplementing with Formula

I started by cutting out one feeding. The 1st time, I used mostly frozen BM and added some formula. I gradually increased the amount of formula in the bottle until the bottle was all formula.

I've been cutting out one nursing session about every 5 days or so. The first one to go was the 2:30-3:00 session. The next to go was the 11:30 session. Next, I will cut out the 8:30am session.

I do plan on continuing nursing for the first nurse in the morning (around 6:30-7:00) and the last one at night (around 7:30 pm).

Good luck...I can honestly say that being able to mix up a formula bottle rather than whip out my boobs in public has been quite liberating!!