Who Has Done Breast and Formula Feeding Together?

I used plain old Similac, mixed every bottle half formula half BM. By the time they were formula only they were also having fruits and veggies, so constipation was never a problem.

:)

I had no choice but to supplement. I new nothing about organics and supplements then. I used the commercial formulas and both my teenage boys are very healthy.

I did. I did everything the lactation consultants and la leche league said and was pumping, taking herbal supplements, eating tons of calories, drinking tons, nursing OFTEN, and even tried 2 different drugs to increase breastmilk. I hardly had any no matter what I did. They all said I was doing everything right and they had no idea why my breastmilk was not increasing. Mind you I was feeding 8-10 times a day and pumping in between for 4 MONTHS. After 4 months I was so sick of my entire life revolving around this that I stopped pumping in between feedings. My tiny bit of milk still stayed the same. After I would breastfeed I would then give my baby a bottle of formula. My son loved to breastfeed and would nurse away for 45 minutes to an hour each time. I just let him hang on there for comfort even though he was still starving afterwards. Then he got his bottle of formula. I did the same thing with my 2nd child. I thought breastfeeding would go better the 2nd time around but again I had hardly any milk. I tried many different formulas and I liked Enfamil best. I'm so tired of the whole breastfeeding debate. I was made to feel so guilty for so long by everyone. I wish women would support each other more.

We used Similac Organic for both of our daughters, along with nursing and pumping as much as possible. If driving to that one store is just too much on top of everything else you're doing, what about ordering it online? We have had success through diapers.com regarding speed of delivery and good prices. There's also a program through Amazon.com for staying stocked up on baby essentials that I've heard a lot of people rave about.

It's fine. I did it. I used regular ol' similac when nursing wasnt an option.
The diapers will be different tho. Much stinkier when they've had some formula.

My oldest son weaned himself from breastfeeding at 10 months, so I eventually had to use both formula and breastmilk because my supply dwindled. What I would suggest is when changing formula you do it gradually. For example if you use 2 oz breastmilk and 2 oz formula, use 1 oz of the old formula and 1 oz of the new for a few days then go to 2 oz of the new. This will help baby's system get use to the new formula. If your worried about constipation check the contents and make sure there isn't too much iron, extra iron can definitely add to constipation, But your baby may not have any of those issues. I used the store brand from Kroger or Wal-mart and never had a problem with it.

Also good for you for breastfeeding for 6 months! Don't worry about what anyone else says because you've done a great job, plus your still giving breastmilk and every little bit counts!

I had to do formula for a while because I got shingles right after I had my son. I was able to go to just breastfeeding after a few months, but I did mix it up during that time. Are you able to find your organic formula online? If shipping costs are reasonable, that may be a good way to go. You can find a LOT of things online now - hopefully that's one of them. Good luck!

I breastfed at home, pumped at work, and sent formula to daycare. I used the pumped milk for when I had to travel for work. I used Similac and Enfamil at the beginning because I had some from the hospital and got some free samples. Once those ran out, I used Member's Mark from Sam's or Parent's Choice from Walmart. My son didn't have an issue with any of the brands.

I was using emfamil...just the regular one...and then compared the ingredients to the ones on the generic Sam's club brand...they were the same, so I switched and my son did fine.

We never had constipation issues...he switched back and forth no problem (between bottle and breast).

I did both formula and breastmilk. We used several before we realized that Carnation Good Start seemed easier for our girls to digest. They didn't get as constipated with that as they did with Similac. My youngest is 6 now, so I'm not sure if there are other formulas out there that might be better, but that is what worked for us.

.

I did both BF & formula and my kids did great. All of the name brands upset their stomachs. I used Carnation Good Start. It is very gentle on the stomach and they were never constipated. Good luck!

We did both and we really liked the Enfamil brand. We have found that the generic store brands that are compared to enfamil seemed to be the dame (except they leave a residue in the bottle that is harder to clean).

I know that everyone says the store brands are the same as name brands, but my first ped said that the fillers weren't as nutritious. He even prefered Similac stating studies had found that children's bones were stronger with Similac than Enfamil. Each child is different, so I think you are going to have to try different ones to see what works this time around.

I used bottles and breast with my kids from the get go... they all had at least a bottle before leaving the hospital and when I couldn't be there - daddy doesn't like bottle feeding breastmilk, not sure why, but he won't. Also, I have family member that just think it is gross to nurse. So, I don't around them.

With my last the only thing he could drink was Carnation Good Start Gental Formula... we tried 7 different formulas before we found this one. All of which made him gassy and really fussy... thankfully we found this one eventhough it does cost a bit more then some of the others.

Good luck finding a formula that fits you and your son's needs & congratz on the baby boy and nursing for 6 mo.

I agree about checking online, Amazon usually has free shipping for over $25 and has a large selection. Many of the generics offer organic now and they are equal in terms of nutritional value, no need to pay for name brand.
To reduce constipation do you have enough expressed milk to make the bottles half and half? Even if it means all bottles are half formula rather than some all BM and some all formula. I think that would help. Good luck!

I used similac and it works great! Good luck to you

I had to go back to work when my oldest was about six weeks. I only worked three days a week and while she was at the sitters she had formula. On the days I was home she nursed. The only formula I got to work with her was carnation good start. All the others upset her stomach.

I tried that. My son preferred the bottle, because it is much easier for the baby, he doesn't have to suck so hard. Eventually, my son would only take the bottle.
And as far as name brand formulas, you may have to try a couple before you find one that doesn't constipate, come back up, etc Talk to your doctor or midwife. As long as you pump, your milk will continue to flow, and you can put it in a bottle. Even if you have to mix the formula and yours. You know that yours is always best. Good Luck!.

I used both from almost the beginning. I had to use soy with the second baby. I often mixed it to get the right amount. Use store brand - it's exactly the same at half the cost! We never had constipation issues, so ask your pediatrician about that. Often a teaspoon of dark Karo syrup will loosen the stool.

I"d recommend taking the combination of fenugreek and blessed thistle which will increase your pumpability. Then you won't have to worry about supplementing with formula at all. You can also go to the organic formula's website or the store which you purchase it from and see if they offer bulk purchasing. I hope you don't supplement when the cluster feeding/growth spurt times occur which is usually every 2.5-3 months. At 6 months, he's due for another week of cluster feeding if he hasn't already. If you do ANY bottle feeding during those growth spurts, you are sabotaging your body's mechanism to keep up with your growing child's needs. The baby suckles so much it creates a hormonal feedback to your body to produce more and more in order to keep the infant supplied.

My first was breastfed for 7 months, then formula fed. At first is was Similac and nothing else! I didn't even give him Enfamil. I was paranoid about switching. Around 10 or 11 months I bought store brand and wondered what I was so afraid of.

My youngest had a medical condition and was only breastfed for a couple of months. After the samples were gone it was store brand for him. He did just fine.

I suspect the constipation was simply a combination of your daughter's system and that particular formula. Your son might do just fine. If you like the organic, maybe you could try finding it at Amazon. (No idea why I didn't even think to try that!). If not, I would just try the store brand and see how he does. You never know, he might do just fine.

Good luck! And be proud of your 6 months. That's great!

With my first, she didn't want any part of breastfeeding. I should have just pumped and fed her that way, but I did not for various reasons. I used Enfamil Lipil w/ Iron and loved it....I even got coupons in the mail from time-to-time for $ off. She was never constipated, I didn't have any major spit-up issues, and she was always in the 99th percentile in weight and height =o )
Good Luck!!