Potential Downsides of introducing formula to excl. BFed bub at 20 weeks?

[dal21]

Hi

DS is coming up to 19 weeks and initially I really wanted to excl. bfeed to the recommended 26 weeks. However due to various reasons (too many to go into) - I am considering starting to give one feed a day via formula. So DS will still be receiving 4/5 feeds a day of bm, with one of ff (potentially)

Can someone explain to me what the impact of this could be to DS? I have to admit that despite looking on the internet and reading threads on here, I am not entirely sure what problems/ health related issues there could be if one feed a day became formula based.

I am aware of the potential impact to supply...am just interested in finding out any potential downsides to DS based on your experiences/ knowledge

thanks in advance

Hello dal. Thousands of babies are ff, be it one feed a day or exclusively. I don't think there are any health problems to worry about. (There is the flipside, that bf babies benefit from bm, but that's not to say ff babies experience problems because they have formula, iyswim). Those that mix-feed report that supply adjusts accordingly. Be kind to yourself dal, giving ds a bottle won't harm him.

I don't really think there's a downside, unless you're going to beat yourself up in your head for not exclusively breastfeeding. Some people do, but if you're comfortable with your decision, then that's fine. Your baby won't be "harmed", imo.

I'm assuming you've already discounted expressing enough to give him one bottle of ebm a day? I tried this for a while, but tbh, I got fed up with expressing and mixed fed for a while before going fully FF at about 22 weeks.

I think it's great if your baby will take an occasional or regular bottle of ebm or formula. It gives you a chance to have more than a couple of hours me-time.

hi kink - thanks for your kind words. much appreciated!

twelveyear - I have expressed since DS was 5 weeks old and DH gives bottle of ebm for dreamfeed since then.

My problem in all honesty is that DS is demanding more milk, he is a happy and growing baby! I am initially going to start moving him back to 3 - 3 1/2 hrly feeding during the day from his current 4 hr feeding routine and reintroduce a cluster feed in the evenings to see if it helps. I will also express twice a day for the next week or so to have sufficient milk to top him off after the 7pm feed. (Last night, he nearly drained his ebm which was for the dreamfeed after feeding from me)

I also dropped night feeds when DS was 12 weeks old and I am loathe to reintroduce them. With current new weaning guidelines - I think introducing more milk via formula has to be better than weaning before the recommended 26 weeks.

I know I can breastfeed on demand(including reintroducing a nighttime feed)and supply will adjust, but in all honesty - dont think I am selfless enough.

I am not making a decision in a rush - will see how I get on upping my expressing from once a day to twice a day (plus I have at least 15 days worth of top up ebm in the freezer).

I guess there is a part of me wondering what really is my motivation to getting to 26 weeks aside from being able to say I did it! So ego and pride then.

But if someone can explain a true health benefit to DS, then maybe I can be more selfless and get to the magical milestone of 26 weeks on BM alone!

Message withdrawn

that looks like a great thread - thanks. I think i was on it very early on, so will have a good read.

dal

someone else just asked a similar question so I linked them to this

So much depends on your own psyche.

You sound extremely well informed from a health benefits / risks point of view, so it probably comes down to what will make you feel happiest.

Will you end up feeling peeved with yourself? You did write "I really wanted to excl. bfeed to the recommended 26 weeks"

Or have you resolved that you're OK with the occasional formula feed?

Both are sound choices if you have really made your mind up. Do whatever you can live with happiest. If you suspect that in the future you'll beat yourself up for a decision made now, perhaps spare yourself the future grief!

But try to feel good about whatever you choose. The fact that you have put so much thought into it shows how conscientious yo are.