Breastfeeding and Baby Formula

I plan on breastfeeding in the beginning and then switch to formula. A few questions:

When the baby is born, does our body automatically produce enough milk? Do we supplement with formula until the milk comes in?

What formula is the best out there?

This got me thinking when I received a free can of Enfamil in the Mail.

Is there a website that compares the nutritional values?

I heard Parent's choice had great reviews at half the price. DH is not crazy about shopping at walmart though after seeing the documentary. But, maybe, he will change his mind after he sees the cost.

TIA

Message edited 8/30/2008 9:03:23 AM.

Re: Breastfeeding and Baby Formula

I've decided to *try* breastfeeding. My plan is to supplement with formula until my milk comes in. I'll use whatever the hospital uses at first (I think they use Similac) and I have a bunch of the Similac Advance samples. Hopefuly the baby tolerates it- that's what will determine what we use!! I've heard the generic brands are just as good as the name brands so I figure once we figure out what works we can try to switch to the appropriate name brand that matches.

Re: Breastfeeding and Baby Formula

When the baby is born, what if you don't produce enough milk? Do we supplement with formula until the milk comes in?

Well, that's why I bought a little formula and some bottles. Just in case. I don't want Scone to starve if I have BF issues in the beginning.

What formula is the best out there?
This is highly subjective. formula ingredients are highly regulated by the gov't, so every formula has the basic nutrients and is sufficient. Some have extra nutrients (DHA) and special recipes that avoid certain things in case baby is having digestive issues.

ONE THING many parents don't think about.... powder vs liquid formula. while liquid is convenient, it apparently has preservatives in it that the powder does not... so making it fresh from powder means you're not exposing your baby to all of those additives.

I selected Earth's Best organic formula with DHA. It's definitely pricier, but it has very good reviews from parents that it doesn't upset baby's stomach, and I prefer to go organic if the option exists. (I got it from diapers.com)

Is there a website that compares the nutritional values?

This I didn't know anything about. I just took for granted that it's all SOOO highly regulated that it's not terribly necessary to micromanage, other than reading reviews on how well the baby's like it.

Re: Breastfeeding and Baby Formula

Posted by juju

I plan on breastfeeding in the beginning and then switch to formula. A few questions:

When the baby is born, does our body automatically produce enough milk? Do we supplement with formula until the milk comes in?

What formula is the best out there?

This got me thinking when I received a free can of Enfamil in the Mail.

Is there a website that compares the nutritional values?

I heard Parent's choice had great reviews at half the price. DH is not crazy about shopping at walmart though after seeing the documentary. But, maybe, he will change his mind after he sees the cost.

TIA

Re: Breastfeeding and Baby Formula

When the baby is born, does our body automatically produce enough milk?
When the baby is first born, your body will overproduce milk in the beginning. It is your body's attempt to determine the supply/demand factor. If you nurse more in the beginning, you will produce more. In addition to nursing, you can pump to increase it.

eta. I nursed with one breast & pumped the other. For the next feeding I switched which ones I nursed/pumped. It doubled my supply.

Do we supplement with formula until the milk comes in?

No, you nurse. The collustrum (which is supposed to be the most important part of bf'ing) is right after you have the baby.

For a preemie, we nursed, pumped & supplemented with a special formula for them.

What formula is the best out there?

This is completely subjective & is ulitmately determined by the baby. Some babies gets gassy on one formula, not on others. Other babies have allergies. It's pretty much hit or miss.

Is there a website that compares the nutritional values?

I would think you'd have to go to each individual website to get it. However, you can't go by that. While we think one vitamin is important, the amount given may be too little/too much for a baby.

Similac tends to give the most coupons. I went to Costco for the powdered formula. I found powder easy to use because I could make what I was going to use. I know everyone likes the Ready-tlo-Feed (premixed) formulas but you need to toss it if it's not finished in a certain amount of time. Also if you're carrying a lot of stuff, it's easier to carry an empty bottle with powder & ask for warm water versus the bottle of premix.

Message edited 8/30/2008 9:20:19 AM.

Re: Breastfeeding and Baby Formula

I think the concern is having issues BF issues technique-wise in the first days. At least for me, being a first time mom, I am *hopeful* that my lactation class and the advice in the hospital is sufficient, but I wouldn't be suiprised if I had issues in the first few days with latching on I pray that if that happens, my breast pump can quazzi-sufficiently stimulate me to continue producing through that rough patch although I know it's no substitute for the baby.

Re: Breastfeeding and Baby Formula

You do nurse in the beginning and your body is supposed to produce enough milk according to how often you nurse. You may overproduce, and become engorged.

You may not have your milk come in, your baby may not latch. Alyson did not latch so I pumped for her for awhile. Because I was not drinking enough water, I did not produce very much. So I stopped and it was not hard for the milk to dry up.

We supplemented with formula ans switched to soy because of her gas.

Paul latched in the hospital and did well nursing. I produced enough milk (I think) and he was nursing every 2 hours. We were also supplementing with formula so visiting family could enjoy him and so we could go out. He was colic and had awful gas too, so I stopped BF because it was taking an emotional toll on me. We did Nutramigen first, then soy which again, was great for him. The drying up process was a little more difficult as I had to express manually in the shower to ease the engorgement and after a few days/2 weeks it was fine.

As for which formula is better....it's personal preference. I read the labels, and Enfamil has more DHA than Similac. Formula is federally regulated, so there are standards that each manufacturer has to follow. Store brands are perfectly fine....we used a local supermarkets store brand. Target makes their own brand as well.

Everything is YOUR choice. You do what makes you comfortable and what you feel is best for your baby.

Re: Breastfeeding and Baby Formula

Thanks for all replies! It certainly makes sense now. Everything seems to be coming full circle.

wannabemom, I also hope I do not have issues latching on.

Re: Breastfeeding and Baby Formula

Posted by juju

I plan on breastfeeding in the beginning and then switch to formula. A few questions:

When the baby is born, does our body automatically produce enough milk? Do we supplement with formula until the milk comes in?

What formula is the best out there?

This got me thinking when I received a free can of Enfamil in the Mail.

Is there a website that compares the nutritional values?

I heard Parent's choice had great reviews at half the price. DH is not crazy about shopping at walmart though after seeing the documentary. But, maybe, he will change his mind after he sees the cost.

TIA