Enfamil or Similac/Supplementing BFing

Hi! I have been EBF for 10 weeks. I will be going back to work in 6 more weeks. Also, I will be leaving my son with my parents for 2 nights in September for a short getaway. I'm thinking about starting to introduce formula in another couple of weeks so that I would have EBF 3 months and then supplement in case I can't pump enough for daycare or when I will be away for those two nights to get him used to formula. My ped said "he won't like it, he'll spit it out - it tastes very different from breastmilk".

My questions are:

Is it better (easier) to introduce formula earlier (3 months) rather than later (6 months) so that they accept it when it comes time to totally wean? My initial goal was to BF for 3 months, but now I would like to try for 6 months.

If yes, which formual to do you use??? The doctor said to use either Similac Advance of Enfamil Lipil. Any preferences??

If no, should I just pump like crazy (if possible) to ensure that DS has enough frozen milk for daycare and our 2 night trip and start to wean at 6 months by introducing formula then?

Any advice, tips, etc. would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!!

Re: Enfamil or Similac/Supplementing BFing

I used enfamil but either one is fine (they're practically the same thing).

Ella never cared whether it was formula or BM she was drinking. She went back and forth with no problem. I do think they are more adaptable when they're younger (I introduced formula at 2 months, and BF for 6 months)

Re: Enfamil or Similac/Supplementing BFing

My supply has never been great. I pump at 4:30 am before I leave for work, and at most I get 6 oz. So I throw in some formula to make up the difference because DD takes 8 oz a feeding. If you're able to pump and freeze, you can do this to stretch your supply of frozen milk.

I'd recommend mixing formula and breast milk- the enzymes in the breast milk help the formula to digest more easily. Though Emma's also gotten straight formula and hasn't had a problem with that either.

Re: Enfamil or Similac/Supplementing BFing

I supplemented from the beginning (but I mostly breastfed for about 8 weeks)

I used enfamil lipil but my DD would spit up ALOT so we switched to enfamil AR

Re: Enfamil or Similac/Supplementing BFing

I can't help with your formula quesitions, but If you're only concern is that you won't get enough milk from pumping I would start pumping once a day now and freeze that milk. I did that before I went back to work. DS is just under 8 months and I have always pumped out enough milk for him and have actually had to toss some of my frozen supply, but I was glad I had it just in case. As long as you have a good pump you should be fine.

Re: Enfamil or Similac/Supplementing BFing

When I went back to work, I pumped but also supplemented with formula. My ped suggested Isomil, but I think Enfamil or Similac would be fine to start with.

As far as when to start, I think maybe in the next few weeks you could start to at least give him a taste of the formula- in general, you don't want to introuce formula until your milk supply is established, but I'm sure EBF for 10 weeks that this is the case already. Also if he's never had a bottle, you definitely want to get him used to that (with either formula or BM inside), as the sucking is a little different. Definitely invest in a good pump, and if you want you can start storing some milk soon. I think you can store breastmilk 3 months in a regular freezer.