mixed feeding at 6 months.

[CravingSleep]

My daughter is 5 months and exclusively breast fed at the moment. I will be weaning her onto food soon and was wondering about offering formula during the day.

I think the important time for avoiding formula if bf was 4 to 6 months due to the hut being open so does this mean formula alongside breast at 6. Months isn't harmful - ie just another 'food'. I don't want to start a ff or bf debate justwanted to know if there was any downsides lo adding formula at this stage? Presumably she'd get all the bf benefits if she yah also breastfed?

Secondly - practically I can just go to a cup can't I? I don't need bottles. If the cups go through the dw presumably I don't need sterilising equipment?

I'm very sleep deprived so may not be thinking straight so any advice welcome!

Personally I think once they're eating solids (and bits off the floor) then a bit of formula isn't harmful. However, much as I would have liked to start mix feeding at 6 months, DS had other ideas and won't drink a sip of the stuff from bottle, beaker, cup, doidy cup, spoon...So don't set your heart on it too much!

I introduced formula from 6 months, but not as milk feeds. I used it as milk for weetabix, porridge, custard etc.

I don't think formula alongside food can cause any problems that just food (incl cows milk?) wouldn't cause. I used it because I reasoned it must have added good stuff and/or be easier to digest than normal cows milk. It is also far easier to make hot milk using formula and hot water than heating milk in a pan (creating washing up!). Weetabix, banana and formula also travels very well, then you just have to find hot water at your destination rather than milk.

Thanks,

Can I just use a cup? As long as I make it up according to packet (never used formula before). I think she might as she sucks spoons, tries to use cups etc at the moment. She sits at the table with us for meals but we're trying to hold off actual weaning until 6 months but she is so ready.

I take it as long as I breast feed her often(which at the moment seems to be every hour- 2 hours at night) I'm not going to lose supply if I try and offer her formula milk to drink during the day?

You certainly can go straigh to a cup no need to try and introduce bottles at this age espicaly as you need to stop them at 12months anyway.

If your thinking about introducing formula so you can have a break/time away from your baby you can do this once food is introduce. Just get who ever is looking after baby to offer food/snak and water in a sippy cup. So then no need to use formula at all, after all it's only a nutritial suppliment and can be easily replaced with food unlike breast milk which is a live componet and can't really be replaced with anything else.

You can also use full fat cows milk in cooking from 6 months easier espicaily if your cooking meals for the whole family at the same time.

Hi!
My LOL in 5 1/2 months. She's combination fed and has been for several months. She's mainly breastfed but has 2 6oz bottles tea time and before bed. Went to get her weighed today and all is well with her. She's happy and healthy. Bit health visiting team always commenting on how big she is (her dad is a huge guy) I'm considering weaning her onto solids very soon as all signs are there but health visiting team said to drop the formula feeds or She'll put on too much weight when weaning her.
I'm worried now about my milk supply at tea time bed time if I stop the formula when weaning onto solids. Has anyone any experience with this? Any advice?