In a pickle combo feeding

[Jugglinghappy]

Hi mums. I was exclusively breastfeeding for 2.5 weeks. Then for several reasons introduced formula (tongue tie, weight gain etc). I started him on aptamil (probably 70% formula fed now at 3.5 weeks old). In the last 48 hrs, he’s gone from pooing x3 per day good volume to pretty much nothing. For the 7 days he’s been on aptamil he’s had terrible straining/pain and gas. I’m thinking of switching to hipp organic. The breastfeeding part is an added confusion, should I stop? I feel like I’ve got myself in a pickle with everything now. Should I be worried about the drop in pooing? Lots of wet nappies through the day so he is hydrated well and taking a full feed from the formula each time also gaining weight at last weigh. Appreciate any feedback, and support. Just need to get me a plan of action.

Please don't panic! I found there wasn't a lot of advice around combo feeding. Only stop BF if you want to. You can definitely mix that and formula feeding if that suits you. For example, I went back to work when my DD was very young. So I BF first thing in the AM, when I got home from work, at bedtime and overnight. She had formula in the day. As long as you're roughly consistent with when you BF, your body will adjust your supply to suit.

As long as nappies are wet, I wouldn't stress about the change in poo routine. Could try a different formula if it continues.

Thanks for the reply. That’s really good feedback about consistency on when to breastfeed. I want to try and carry on a little if I can. You’re right in saying there is little info on combo feeding, makes it difficult to know what’s normal or not. :)

As with pp above, keep the bf going if you want to. I managed to successfully combo feed to 9months. KellyMom website was the best i could find on combo feeding. I bf first at each week and then gave a small formula top up after the bf. (She was 0.4th centile and not gaining weight). Then when DD was 6months, started replacing one bf feed per day formula every so often. The first 6 weeks are the most important for bf so if you can bf as much as possible now, you are more likely to be able to keep going - lots of water, oats and rest for you. Plus as much skin to skin time as possible.Babies on formula poo less than bf babies, so i wouldn't worry too much about the poo - do lots of warm baths, tummy massage and bicyle legs. If he doesn't go after a week, i might talk to HV or GP as I think 7 days is starting to stretch it a bit really.Check whether you have an infant feeding team in your area. They are specially trained midwives in infant feeding and might have some advice on combi feeding.You can switch formula but they are much of a likeness due to how highly regulated they are here. We used cow & gate as there were supply issues with hipp last year. But what I would say is some babies don't tolerate switching so if it's only been a week, it might make things worse to switch about now. I would be tempted to wait a bit longer with aptamil and see if he settles onto it.

That did have paragraphs 🤦🏻‍♀️ Dont know why they disappeared. Sorry for wall of text!

Also should say that i bf first at each feed then did formula top ups.^

Haha no problem - amazing advice thank you .