Our site uses cookies to make your experience on this site even better. We hope you think that is sweet.
Most of the mothers are aware of the benefits of breastfeeding for themselves and the baby and understand that they should breastfeed their child exclusively for the first six months. Experts recommend continuing breastfeeding even after introducing solids to a child (during the sixth month). Find out everything about Combining Bottle And Breastfeeding For The Baby.
However, nowadays, there are several reasons why the mother may choose to introduce a bottle at some point even before six months. These can include:
Factors That Should Be Considered Before Starting Combined Feeds
When Can I Start To Combine Bottle And Breast Feeding?
What Factors Should Be Considered Before Combining Bottle And Breastfeeding?
Before beginning a combined feeding schedule:
Tips To Combine Bottle And Breastfeeding?
For whatsoever reason that may force you to introduce a bottle for your little one (with expressed milk or formula milk), you have to keep in mind that:
Considering all these factors, combining bottle and breastfeeding is the best practical solution than stopping breastfeeding altogether. If you are producing a good amount of breast milk, you can pump and store it and give your baby by bottle. Otherwise, you can bottle-feed the baby with formula.
If you have a newborn, you might need to hold up combining the bottle and breastfeed until he is at least 8 weeks old. On the other hand, if your infant is over a month old, if needed, you can offer bottle-feeding along with breastfeeding at any time, provided the doctors approve the same. If possible, hold up until your infant’s no less than eight weeks old. Waiting this long will set up a good breastfeeding routine so that occasional bottle-feeding will not hinder with the breastfeeding routine excessively.
Before beginning a combined feeding schedule:
No. The gap between two formula feedings can be more than that of a gap between two breast feeds. After a meal of formula, the baby can stay longer without a need of another feed, than when he is breastfed. This is because the formula takes more time to digest than the breast milk. So the baby will not feel hungry for a longer time.
The combination of bottle and breastfeeding rely on the circumstance in which you opt for it.
If possible, bottle-feed the baby with expressed milk rather than the formula. No need to waste the breast milk by expressing it (if you are lucky enough to have it in abundance)
You can offer bottle feed:
It is better to ask someone else to bottle feed the baby instead of the mother. This way you can avoid the baby getting confused bottle-feeding as the breastfeeding. This will help, as:
Never let the baby’s stomach be ‘full’ while bottle-feeding. This will make him refuse the breast milk, especially if the mother has decreased milk supply. Therefore, keep the portion of milk when bottle feeding lower. If needed, you can increase the frequency. However,the “one-time” quantity must be restricted
Do not get worried if there is any change in the stool of your baby once he starts to have the formula. The appearance and odor will change when the baby starts to be bottle-fed with formula
When bottle-feeding, the bottle should be changed from one position to other. This is to avoid the ‘side preference’, which can later interfere with breastfeeding
If you are going back to work and have dropped day feeds, bonding over the breast may just be the thing that you and your baby will look forward to once you get back home. Once you introduce solids to the baby, the breastfeeding sessions may just reduce towards the both ends of the day. This will again cut the need for breast and formula milk altogether. Find out if formulafeeding makes child chubbier here
Come on, sell the idea of signing up with us in two lines so well that they HAVE to sign up.
Is It Safe to Take Alprazolam (Xanax) While Breastfeeding?
'Baby Talking' Or 'Parentese' - What's Your Pick?
10 Alarming Postnatal Symptoms That Need Medical Attention
10 Best Weaning Foods For Your Baby
10 Common Mistakes That New Parents Make
Get regular updates, great recommendations and other right stuff at the right time.