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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

Giving formula - for one evening only?

14 replies

Saffra · 17/12/2011 17:03

I'm hoping to go out next Tuesday evening for a couple of Christmas drinks - and possibly have maybe 2 large glasses of wine (woah!). Haven't been out in the evening with friends for lord knows how long, and would love to take a bit of time out.

Haven't expressed for a while, so no idea if my 12 wk old will still take a bottle. Hopefully she will. If she won't, I guess I can try a cup (lots of hassle?) or just (most likely) not go.

Now, I'm wondering if I can't express enough before tues (as it normally takes 2 pumping sessions to get one feed) would it be ok to give her a carton or two of formula? I'm thinking from a supply point of view more than anything. This is what DH and a friend has suggested, although I'm not sure I want to do this - for many, many reasons. I feel guilty for even considering it TBH!

Anyway, would be interested to hear thoughts...

OP posts:

thisisyesterday · 17/12/2011 17:13

ok. one carton won't do any harm. it's fine.
personally I didn't want to give any formula, but that doesn't mean that no-one else should,
.if you really don't want to though, then don't, cos you don't need another thing to feel bad about!

i think it's a decision that only you and your DH can take tbh, but from the POV of your baby's health etc then I would say there is absolutely no harm in one carton of formula.

even if you're looking at it from a virgin gut point of view... 2 weeks of ebf afterwards (roughly) is enough to return the gut flora back to its original state.

i guess you ahve a very small risk of reaction to the dairy, so I'd maybe be a bit more wary if you do happen to have a history of allergies and stuff in the family?

how long will you be out? you may be fine feeding before you go, leaving however much EBM you have and then feeding when you get back? depends how often she normally feeds..

catsareevil · 17/12/2011 17:15

I doubt that it would make much difference to supply, but as you say there are other reasons why you may want to avoid it.

BertieBotts · 17/12/2011 17:15

Your supply will be fine, yes. You might need to express if you miss more than one feed, for your comfort more than anything else.

The main issue is whether you feel okay with giving formula, some people do, some people don't. We can't tell you what to do on that front...

Sossiges · 17/12/2011 17:16

She might not take formula (mine wouldn't)

Jojay · 17/12/2011 17:40

It will be fine, honestly.

Original poster

Saffra · 17/12/2011 17:49

I think I'll be out 3-4 hours in total? But, would also need to allow for time for breast milk to contain minimal alcohol. (I'm happy to feed after one small glass of rose, but would - selfishly! - like to indulge in more for one evening).

I have 2oz in the freezer. Going to defrost this and see if she will take a bottle tonight....

OP posts:

SaraBellumHertz · 17/12/2011 17:56

If you don't want to do it then you shouldn't but there is absolutely no reason to feel guilty (and I say that as a 4th time mum who has had more than one thread on here in recent months about feeling guilty about giving my weaned baby an occasional bottle of formula )

Of course you have to be happy with the choice you make but absolutely no harm will come to your baby or your supply by giving them a bottle of formula.

I'm also of the same view re feeding after two glasses of wine

lilham · 17/12/2011 19:00

I really don't see any harm on formula. Your supply will be absolutely fine. You will want to pump after you get home for your comfort. If your LO took the formula , it might be quite a few hours before they want a feed again. Sleeping with melon boons and a hangover would be very uncomfortable

BTW if you are sober enough to feed then the bm is fine for the baby.

Have fun on your night out.

organiccarrotcake · 18/12/2011 09:03

It's not possible to say that no harm will come from formula. There IS a risk from using it. But it is a small risk and as thisisyesterday says is more of a risk for those with higher risks of reactions within the family. Certainly I wouldn't be worried about supply for this one night out (but if you're prone to leaking beware of clothing that shows liquid and don't forget the breast pads!).

However, it is not ok to feel guilty about wanting to have a night out and a few (or more!) drinkies! You have every right to do this and in fact doing so will (after the morning after LOL) probably do you the world of good if it's something you fancy doing.

Did she take the bottle last night?

Original poster

Saffra · 18/12/2011 11:32

Yes, DD did take a bottle last night. Hurrah!

So, I'm sat here pumping in earnest while DH is out with DD...

Only managed to pump just under 3oz last night though, so not even half a feed. Going to try really hard to pump enough for 3 feeds before Tues night. Going to feed her before I go out. So, 3 bottles should cover it, right? (time away + time for 2ish large glasses of wine to have have negligible effect).

OP posts:

Original poster

Saffra · 18/12/2011 11:34

3 bottles is the max I think I can pump. Plus just about enough to mean I don't need formula.

OP posts:

TruthSweet · 18/12/2011 15:10

Saffra - Blood alcohol and milk alcohol are the same, at the same time (alcohol cannot build up in your breasts as the alcohol molecule is too small to accumulate).

So if you have a blood alcohol of 0.5% then you will have a breastmilk alcohol level of 0.5%. You will also probably be dead or comatose so it won't really be a concern!

This has an interesting chart to work out how much % alcohol going by no. of units and your body weight. The highest no. of units they have is 10 and the only weight that would be at 0.5% after drinking 10 units is 90lbs/40kg....

For example if you are 10st and plan on having 3 units your milk alcohol level will be 0.1% but will go down by 0.01% every 40mins.

For comparison orange juice has up to 0.09% (depending on variety and season).

There aren't concerns with baby having a one off feed from a mum who has had alcohol and is still sober enough to be co-ordinated enough to feed (you might want OH there with you in case you fall asleep). There is a chance that your let down will be inhibited or that baby won't like the taste (possibly from the trace amounts of alcohol or from the wine itself) but that will right itself as the alcohol leaves your system.

It's only if you habitually drink that the problems come in (developmental delays in gross motor skills and weight gain issues).

Woodifer · 20/12/2011 12:09

Hi this might sound awkward - but when I've expressed - I've expressed from one breast while feeding the baby on the other - this really seems to help with the "flow".

Original poster

Saffra · 20/12/2011 22:42

I'm back from my evening out and had a lovely time. Was fab to have a few hours off duty and wear heels - a real novelty!

Only managed to pump 12oz in the end. DH gave one bottle and I'm giving her the next feed. When it came down to it, I couldn't face drinking much as realised I didn't want to be knackered tomorrow. So, it's all worked out great. In fact, couldn't wait to bf DD again to reconnect with her!

OP posts:

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