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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

Is it okay to give formula just occasionally?

28 replies

SundayTwizzle · 26/09/2021 08:12

Baby is 6 weeks old and currently exclusively breastfed.

I've been trying out expressing for a couple of weeks now so that DH can do the odd night feed and also so I can get my hair done pop out without worrying that she will get hungry. I hate it though, it takes me ages to produce the smallest amount and it's so hard to find enough time in between feeding DD myself and everything else that needs to be done.

So I was wondering is it ok to give her the odd bottle of ready made formula once in a while or will it mess up breastfeeding/cause tummy trouble? Has anyone done this?

OP posts:

whoami24601 · 26/09/2021 08:51

I did this with DC3 and it was an absolute game changer! Wish I'd done it with the other two as well! The only thing I'd say is to make sure you only use New born teats so the milk comes out slowly like breastfeeding. If it's only the occasional bottle it will be absolutely fine to use formula. I kept a couole of the ready made cartons in the cupboard so I wasn't wasting a tin.

ElspethFlashman · 26/09/2021 08:54

Do it. It is an absolute game changer as said above. Just knowing that DH could feed the baby no problem if I went out was amazing.

I even bought a Perfect Prep (another game changer).

It also meant that when I had to give up BF, the baby was totally accustomed to formula and the transition was seamless.

Gumbo · 26/09/2021 08:59

I did this and it saved my sanity...DH gave a formula feed before he went to bed (later than me ) which allowed me to get a 3 hour stint of unbroken sleep. It didn't cause DC any confusion at all, I bf for the other 11 feeds of the day!

biscuitcat · 26/09/2021 08:59

We do this, it's brilliant! It means DH can do a night feed and as you say, that I can pop out if needs be. We also buy the little premade bottles as we don't use enough to buy powder. Like you, we started off with expressed milk but I hate pumping so I'm much happier with using some formula. DH really enjoys being able to do a feed too, it feels like a win all round for me.

Soontobe60 · 26/09/2021 09:00

It’s absolutely ok to do whatever is right for you. Breast feed, don’t breast feed. Mixed feed. Fully formula fed. Your baby will be absolutely fine!
Go and get your hair done, do some shopping, have a nap. Stop feeling guilty x

MrsFin · 26/09/2021 09:15

If it's only the occasional bottle it will be absolutely fine to use formula

It's also ok if ALL the baby's feeds are formula. There is nothing wrong with formula feeding

WheelieBinPrincess · 26/09/2021 09:24

Please don’t spread the idea that formula feeding is somehow a lazy, undesirable thing to ‘have’ to do.

I have a 12 day old, breastfeeding was a struggle but I persevered only to land in hospital with an infection on day 6. Without formula we’d have been in real trouble. I’m expressing about half his feeds now and formula does the rest but no one deserves to feel like they’re cheating in any way but feeding their baby all or part formula!!

WheelieBinPrincess · 26/09/2021 09:27

That was more to @whoami24601 than the OP but it’s still important to note that there is NOTHING wrong with feeding your baby formula whatever the reason.

crazyguineapiglady · 26/09/2021 09:27

@MrsFin

If it's only the occasional bottle it will be absolutely fine to use formula

It's also ok if ALL the baby's feeds are formula. There is nothing wrong with formula feeding

The OP doesn't want all the feeds to be formula though, she wants to breastfeed. No one has suggested there is anything wrong with formula, the discussion is only about whether bottles of formula will impact or disrupt breastfeeding.

Don't pick a fight where there isn't one. It's not about you.

GemmaRuby · 26/09/2021 09:28

My DH gave our baby one bottle of formula every night so I could go to bed early and get a head start on getting some sleep. No issues.

crazyguineapiglady · 26/09/2021 09:29

@WheelieBinPrincess

Please don’t spread the idea that formula feeding is somehow a lazy, undesirable thing to ‘have’ to do.

And yet you are the only poster who has suggested formula is lazy or undesirable? Why do you think that?

WheelieBinPrincess · 26/09/2021 09:31

@crazyguineapiglady I haven’t I was pointing out the quote from another ouster who implied that it’s only fine if it’s the occasional bottle. There can be a huge amount of stigma around formula as I’ve found out recently.

Original poster

SundayTwizzle · 26/09/2021 09:31

Sorry if I've offended anyone - I was more concerned about the mixing of the two types of milk causing problems with her tummy or making her confused by doing both than the contents of formula. I'm firmly in the fed is best camp, no beef with formula here!

OP posts:

StellaCinnamon · 26/09/2021 09:32

I dunno. I think this comment;

If it's only the occasional bottle it will be absolutely fine to use formula

implies that formula is something rather undesirable.

piscis · 26/09/2021 09:34

I did this and there were no issues.

FawnFrenchieMum · 26/09/2021 09:35

My DD was topped up with formula for each feed right from hospital as she was Prem and needed extra. She took milk any way it came, boob, bottle, cup lol.

Is baby taking a bottle ok with expressed milk? If so then it will be fine (some bf babies won’t take a bottle at all).

crazyguineapiglady · 26/09/2021 09:35

The OP was specifically asking about whether it will mess up breastfeeding.
The answer that if it is just the occasional bottle formula is fine is completely correct.

There's no suggestion that formula is undesirable - but lots of bottles of formula will impact on milk supply.

crazyguineapiglady · 26/09/2021 09:36

[quote WheelieBinPrincess]@crazyguineapiglady I haven’t I was pointing out the quote from another ouster who implied that it’s only fine if it’s the occasional bottle. There can be a huge amount of stigma around formula as I’ve found out recently.[/quote]
That is you projecting your issues.

GrealishHairband · 26/09/2021 09:39

Come on it’s clear that the person who said about the occasional bottle being fine meant ‘if you want to continue breastfeeding for the rest’ because obviously if it’s several bottles of formula per day while it being nutritionally sound it will impact breastfeeding and the ability to keep doing that for the majority of feeds.

It’s unlikely to cause obvious issues but it will change their gut flora if you’re bothered about that kind of thing.

EnidFrighten · 26/09/2021 09:39

It's fine. Check she'll take a bottle before you go off for an extended period though! Mine were a bit older when we tried to give them formula and both were having none of it!

ncmcr · 26/09/2021 09:44

Yeah, what do you think mixed feeding is!

Skyla2005 · 26/09/2021 09:50

It's completely fine. I used to top up with formula because I didn't have enough milk and gradually increased it because she settled much better at night with a bottle feed which my partner could give her to give me a rest it was really helpful no issues with tummy trouble intact she was more settled after formula.

whoami24601 · 26/09/2021 09:58

Oh dear my post seems to have been taken out of context somewhat and misinterpreted! In the context of the thread I (thought) it would be rather obvious that I meant the occasional bottle would not impact breastfeeding. For the avoidance of doubt I have had 3 children - 1 bottle fed, 1 ebf and one mixed fed in the manner asked about in the OP. No way is better than the others. I was gutted about my first baby who preferred bottles to me so for the second I refused to give bottles at all. This pressure I put on myself caused severe depression as I could not be away from DS for more than an hour at a time for 6 months. So with the third I started from the beginning giving the occasional bottle and it was much better for our relationship and my sanity. I was recommending formula rather than killing herself trying to express.

JoborPlay · 26/09/2021 10:11

@StellaCinnamon

I dunno. I think this comment;

If it's only the occasional bottle it will be absolutely fine to use formula

implies that formula is something rather undesirable.

No, it implies that an occasional bottle of formula won't mess up breastfeeding, which is what the OP was asking about.

LakeShoreD · 26/09/2021 10:17

I know it’s not really what you’re asking but if you want baby to take a bottle whenever convenient then it’s something I’d work into the regular routine, not something I’d do only on occasion, because otherwise you run the risk of outright bottle refusal especially as baby gets older. But of course it’s fine to mix feed in whatever quantities work best for you and baby!

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