When moms discuss combo feeding, some are worried about the complete loss of lactation, while others are happy to be able to use formula and build a convenient work schedule. Both the first and the second are absolutely natural.
When formula feeding is combined with breastfeeding, it is called mixed feeding. It can be as close to natural as possible (when the breast milk feeding volume significantly prevails over the use of formula) or as close to formula feeding as possible (when the diet is primarily dominated by formula).
Breast milk is the best, safest, and healthiest food for your baby. However, it is not always possible to provide it to your baby completely – this is where infant formula comes in.
What Are the Most Common Reasons for Switching Babies to Mixed Feeding?
- Low milk supply;
- Poor weight gain in a baby;
- Preterm labor;
- Mother’s health status;
- The mother’s absence and the impossibility of her constant presence with the baby – if it is impossible to create a breast milk bank.
Comfortable breastfeeding creates a parent-child bond. It is clear that if a woman cannot or does not want to breastfeed for any reason, she should not force it. However, it is still advisable to direct all efforts to solve the problem, especially during milk supply formation.
A temporary decrease in the amount of breast milk is associated with hormonal changes and can be overcome by more frequent and prolonged breastfeeding. If this does not help, then together with a lactation consultant or pediatrician, you need to look for other causes and solutions. If you immediately offer the baby formula, you can lose breast milk altogether.
It is widely believed that the idea of combo feeding has a negative impact on the baby’s immunity and digestive system. In fact, this is a myth. Yes, there is nothing more beneficial than breast milk for a newborn. But a quality, well-balanced infant formula will definitely not make the baby feel worse.
On the contrary, mixed feeding allows the mom to maintain lactation at the proper level and does not give cause for concern that the baby is not receiving vital nutrients.
How to Organize Mixed Feeding
To properly organize mixed feeding, you will have to weigh the baby occasionally. And you also need to know how much breast milk he or she consumes at a time – pumping will help with this.
There are several ways to feed a baby with formula:
- The mother gives the baby a little bit of the formula after breastfeeding.
- The mother completely replaces one or more breastfeeds with formula.
Experts recommend the option of mixed feeding, when the formula is only a supplement to the breast milk, and not a complete replacement of one of the feedings for the baby. But the decision, of course, will depend on how well the newborn is gaining weight. It is quite possible that the baby does not need formula at all, and the mother should try to put the baby to the breast more often to stimulate lactation.
If your pediatrician suggests that it is time to switch your baby to a mixed feeding, the formula should be introduced gradually. It is essential to ensure that the baby “accepts” the new product well – with no tummy pain or allergies. In general, this is a basic rule for parents, and it should be used when introducing complementary foods such as cereals and vegetables. At first, small portions of the new product, and then a gradual increase.
Baby Formula Only After Breast Milk
If mixed feeding is not the goal of a complete transition to formula, it is extremely important to try to maintain lactation. To do this, doctors recommend that you first attach the newborn to both breasts and only then give him or her formula.
In the case of infants, formula supplementation is introduced through a bottle with a nipple. It is convenient if the formula makes up about 40-50% of the daily diet.
What is the Best Formula for Mixed Feeding?
A vast range of infant formulas is on the market: dairy and dairy-free formulas, with and without additional beneficial ingredients, therapeutic and regular formulas. The specific choice of the formula depends on the baby’s age and health status. Please check with your pediatrician.
When choosing a baby formula, first of all, determine its basis. It can be cow’s or goat’s milk. Both types of milk are approved for feeding the little ones. The difference is in the content of nutrients and “closeness” to the composition of breast milk. It is believed that goat’s milk-based formulas are ideal for babies, as they mimic the composition of breast milk as closely as possible.
Have you found the perfect option? Then we look at the packaging – a label tells us what age the product is designed for. It is quite important – the formulas differ in composition. A product for a six-month-old baby will definitely not be suitable for a newborn.
Switching to a combination feeding, also known as mixed bottle and breastfeeding, can take time for you and your baby to adjust.
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Kayla is the content creator over at motviationformom.com. She is a wife and mother who loves to share all of the tips, tricks, and life lessons that she has learned over the years with all of her readers. Her primary focus is on children’s education, motherhood, and healthy family relationships!