So what is 'exclusive' breastfeeding?

[MrsGravy]

I mean is it only defined as NO bottles of formula whatsoever for the whole 6 months? My 15 week old has never had any formula but I've started an evening class once a week. I'm struggling to find time to express and was pondering whether to give the odd bottle of formula. But would one bottle every other week or so mean she is no longer 'exclusively' breastfeeding and therefore loses all the benefits associated with that?

Just pondering after reading about the latest bit of research that stated mixed feeding didn't confer the same benefits as exclusive breastfeeding...

If you give one bottle of formula every week she will not lose the benefits of all the breast milk she is receiving. I don;t think the term exclusively bf is even used much in real life - most people just say that they are bfing.

I've been giving my baby EBM and formula since the day she was born (long story) and all the health visitors, doctors etc that I see keep telling me that giving her formula does not negate the benefits of also giving breast milk. And any drop of breast milk that baby gets is great. So no, I don't think that the odd bottle of formula takes away any of the goodness that you're giving her at all.

Thanks Belgo, that's kind of what I was thinking but

This is the research:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-11417490

I suppose I was wondering where the line is between exclusive and mixed feeding.

I know the world won't stop spinning if I open a carton of SMA!

Feeding breastmilk will always give great nutrition regardless of adding formula.

The thing that is still up in the air is the gut bacteria, we know feeding formula changes the type of gut bacteria in the baby but we do not yet know what, if any, impact that has on the child now or in the future.

The best health outcomes are found with exclusive breastfeeding but I'm assuming this is mainly a dose related thing. And your baby would still be mainly breastfed.

If it's only one evening a week and you feel iffy about giving your baby formula one other option is to leave her with a bottle of water instead. This is what I did with my bf baby when I went back to work for a couple of hours in the evening. Just plugs a little gap and they're not going to starve if you feed them before they go and when you come back!

Hope you enjoy your evening class! (jealous - would love to be studying again!)

exclusive breast feeding means just that, feeding breast milk exclusively, no formula. That doesn't mean the world will end if lo has the occasional bottle though!