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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Is organic formula ok for 5week old, as a one off while i'm away?

60 replies

mammainlove · 23/07/2010 23:45

My baby is 5weeks old, i breastfeed and have to be away from her tomorrow evening for the first time for 4 hours, leaving her with Granny. I planned to express but have found i wont be able to express enough in time, it's taken me all day to express just 100mls, which will only do for one feed (she's 12lbs). I've always hated the idea of formula, but am considering buying some organic formula tomorrow. I feel bit guilty about doing this.. Do you think it will be ok as a one off? Has anyone tried Hippo organic, or can recommend any others? Thanks x

OP posts:
slouchingtowardswaitrose · 23/07/2010 23:49

I really would not do it. She is so little.

I recommend, when you wake up, expressing on one side while feeding on the other. You will get much more milk during the letdown, because you will be stimulating both sides.

You should only need milk for one feed, 2 hours after you go. If you feed last thing before you leave, and as soon as you return, she should be fine. She already has 100 mls. Her tummy is so tiny right now.

Good luck!

ZuzuandZara · 23/07/2010 23:54

The first time I left my dts I bought some formula to leave with DH even though I had frozen breast milk.

It was just peace of mind, so I knew if there wasn't enough they would be ok and not screaming hungry. They didn't need it but it was reassuring and I could relax while I was out.

Original poster
mammainlove · 24/07/2010 00:05

I know what you mean, but millions of parents use formula milk from birth all the time, and the babies grow up healthy. I'm just talking about using one bottle of it, surely that'll be fine.?

OP posts:
ZuzuandZara · 24/07/2010 00:47

Of course it will be fine, your boobs will be exploding, but your baby will be fine

ClimberChick · 24/07/2010 03:53

You shouldn't need more than 200ml, so only another expressing session should do it. (They take just over an ounce an hour/30ml on average, much less than formula babies).

But zuzu's suggestion of formula just in case is also good

slouchingtowardswaitrose · 24/07/2010 07:30

Well researched article re 'just one bottle' below if you are still considering your options.

www.health-e-learning.com/articles/JustOneBottle.pdf

pommedeterre · 24/07/2010 08:52

Isn't there evidence that early exposure to formula can reduce risk of cows milk protein?
Also, lots and lots of babies 'exposed' to formula or given just formula seem to be wondering around just fine...
Mammainlove - make sure Granny has expressed milk to give to her first and formula as an emergency ready to go as well. Would not be fair to leave Granny with a screaming baby and nothing to feed her with imo!

pommedeterre · 24/07/2010 08:54

cows milk protein intolerance!

choufleur · 24/07/2010 08:57

of course it will fine. Formula is NOT poison. Some people just cannot express a lot. Leave what EBM you can and some formula in case she needs more.

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 24/07/2010 08:58

I wouldn't have done it with DS, I would have expressed while feeding and certainly if you can get 150-200ml that would be enough to keep her going while you're out if you feed just before you go.

Do you really have to be away from her for that long, can you cancel whatever it is?

pommedeterre - I think you are right.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 24/07/2010 09:02

Have you considered the impact this will have on your boobs as well as the baby? Make sure you are somewhere where you can dump so milk down a sink or something because you will probably need to.

I really wouldn't leave her though, she's so little and 2 hours seems an awfully long time between feeds when she is that wee

My 3 month old won't go that long between feeds

Feel free to completely ignore my opinion though, I am very PFB and loving my velcro baby

worzella · 24/07/2010 09:06

Oh for goodness sake - she will survive...... what do you think all the babes who are ff do? And I BF all my three.... she will also survive a 4 hour absence.

domesticsluttery · 24/07/2010 09:11

Try and express as much as you can. The advice about expressing whilst feeding is good. You may well find that you make enough.

But for your own peace of mind you could buy some formula.

Just a random thought: has she taken a bottle before? As not all BF babies take immediately to them.

tiktok · 24/07/2010 09:23

pomme - you have been reading the news items about the Israeli doctor, sponsored by the Israeli Dairy Board, who suggested that early introduction to cows milk protein would reduce intolerance.

It's rubbish been highly criticised by people who more than he does.

www.amotherinisrael.com/does-exclusive-breastfeeding-encourage-allergies/

www.amotherinisrael.com/does-exclusive-breastfeeding-encourage-allergies/

In any case, he's talking about the first two weeks of life and says this is much, much better than later which he says is very risky - still rubbish, but in any case, even if you accept it, the OP's baby is 5 weeks.

OP - giving organic as opposed to regular formula makes no difference health-wise.

It is highly unlikely that one bottle will have a long term effect, unless your baby has serious as yet unknown allergy issues.

But it's also unlikely that he will need it. One option would be to leave some cool boiled water as the emergency back up if your baby has more than the 100 mls of expressed.

angfirsttimer · 24/07/2010 09:39

I can't believe people are suggesting she shouldn't go out, of course she should, she deserves a break!

I would express what you can and leave the formula as a back up. There is no guarantee that your LO will take formula anyway it tastes so different to breast milk.

If she is 12lbs at 5 weeks then she will survive until you get back!

I repeat DO NOT let people make you feel guilty about going out you are doing a great job feeding a clearly thriving baby.

Original poster
mammainlove · 24/07/2010 10:07

Wow, conflicting opinions but all very interesting, thank you everyone. I think i'm quite put off formula after the links i've read. Some of it might be rubbish, or it might be low risk but i'm not willing to take that gamble. I'll try expressing as much as i can before tonight, and just come back early if we know she's going to run out. Do you know how much cooled down boiled water to give at a time? Is this done by bottle? And do you think 50ml of BM is enough for each feed? Thanks again x

OP posts:
Morloth · 24/07/2010 10:14

If you can get another feed of 100mls put it into a different bottle, that way your mum can give her the first 100mls when she gets hungry and then will have another 100mls for the next one, that ought to cover 4hrs I reckon, especially if you feed her just before you go and then as soon as you get back (would actually be good if she is quite hungry when you get back, cause you are gonna be loaded).

When I get back from an afternoon off I usually feed DS and pump at the same time so I can start my stash for the next outing. I do about 30mls everyday and only use a bottle once a week so it means that there is a good pile in the freezer, but sometimes I haven't gotten around to it or whatever...

Sometimes DS has a bottle of cooled boiled water to "chew" on if I am going to be longer than expected. I just make up a full one and he doesn't really drink it but it gives him something to distract him, this will only buy you about 1/2 hour or so though as you don't really want them to drink a bunch of water.

I am pretty keen on not giving my babies formula, so have sorted out work arounds.

PavlovtheCat · 24/07/2010 10:17

your baby will be fine! what on earth would happen with one formula? apart from perhaps her turning her nose up at it as she is not used to it. It really will not harm her if she does need it. She might not.

atmywitssend · 24/07/2010 10:19

Yes, formula is fine as a one off - and ffs how many babies are exclusively formula fed and seem to survive? My DS had formula in the ante-natal ward at the advice of a paediatrician as he just wold not bf. He is a happy, healthy 2 1/2 year old with no allergies etc - the opposite, he is one of the healthiest children with the most varied diet I know. Have a good time and don't worry.

Meglet · 24/07/2010 10:23

Baby will be fine but as others have said your boobs might be a bit hefty. Take lots of breast pads. Bear in mind if she hasn't had a bottle before then she might not like anything in one .

If you drink and rest lots you might be able to get enough expressed milk out.

Not sure how much EMB is needed, I always gave the same amount as the formula packet, plus a bit more.

Have a nice time while you're out.

MrsY · 24/07/2010 10:29

I would suggest trying to express a little more if you can. Ask Granny to give most but not all the EBM first, and then if more milk is needed, mix the last of the EBM and some formula. Baby is less likely to notice change of taste that way.

Don't feel guilty, a few hours away from her will do you both a world of good.

Enjoy yourself.

Original poster
mammainlove · 24/07/2010 13:35

Thank you :-) we have been practicing with bottle feeding BM all week, and luckily she was fine with it. Finger's crossed she'll be alright this evening and sleep lots, and that my breasts wont explode! X

OP posts:
atmywitssend · 24/07/2010 15:20

Have a great time and don't feel bad! I think that in the US its common to go back to work after 6 weeks - so babies are fine for much longer than your little trip out!

pommedeterre · 24/07/2010 18:53

Isn't water before 12 weeks quite risky for babies? I'd heard that water intoxication was possible with water before this age.

slouchingtowardswaitrose · 24/07/2010 21:51

DO NOT GIVE WATER!!!!!!!!!!!!!