Combining formula and expressed milk

[IndecisivePramBuyer81]

Hi all

So I've decided I'm not going to breastfeed after a pretty traumatic start (long story.am upset about it but it's just not an option anymore) but I would like to combine expressed milk and formula for a little while before moving solely onto formula.

My milk has only come in today (day 5) and am finding it incredibly uncomfortable and painful.

I'd like to express for a while but not long term, and I'd also like to ease rhe engorgement in the meantime without encouraging a good supply.

So I'm wondering if express enough to ease the pain 2 or 3 times a day and feed him that, topped up with formula, will my milk eventually peter out and how long might this take?

TIA

Hi first of all congratulations on your LO :)

Secondly, if BF definitely isn't an option for you and you don't want to build up supply then I'd just leave your breasts to it and the milk will disappear after a few days.

I'd like to express for a while though so he's still getting some of the goodness, even if it's only a week or two?

Sorry you have been disappointed with the experience of bf, prambuyer :(

If you express 2 or 3 times a day, your milk will indeed eventually peter out - but yes, of course, use the milk for your baby :) Not possible to say how long you will maintain a small supply doing this, but your guess of a week or two is prob about right.

You can continue to put your baby to your breast/hold him skin to skin for as long as you want anyway - whether or not he is actually taking milk.

Thanks for the replies both however I've discovered nipple shields today and am really pleased to say I've successfully fed my little boy twice using them. I don't understand why no one at the hospital mentioned them and let me struggle.

new plan is to continue with these for a while then try again without in a few days

Prambuyer glad you are finding some respite.

Nipple shields are a useful tool but they have drawbacks - maybe the hospital felt there were other ways to 'fix' things.

Indecisive nipple shields made all the difference to me, both times round. After using them for a few weeks with DC1 I continued to bf pain free until he was 20 months when we both stopped happily.

I'm currently feeding DD who is almost 8 weeks old and I used them this time for 5-7 days I think and since then have been pain free.

I think they are great, and I agree I have no idea why they aren't promoted more. I don't think I could have stuck it out either time without them. Probably my best baby purchase!

They can be useful...but they also carry risks to the milk supply. Not to be used casually :)

tiktok I seem to have an abundance of milk and a strong letdown so would that be why I had no problems with them do you think?

OP that is great about bf with nipple shields! I have used them for the past 19 weeks and they have been a life saver. I know that many mw and bf counsellors don't recommend them but my view is that if it's a choice of using them and breast feeding or not using them and not being able to bf then the choice is clear and easy. Just wanted to send you best wishes and wish you good luck with everything. Xx ps occasionally my daughter tips off the nipple shield and latches on herself without them so your little one might wean himself off them soon enough. X

Of course shields are better than not bf at all :)

Yes, a mahoosive supply would counter one of the drawbacks!