Introducing formula around 6 months? Combi feeding?

[PockerMaus]

Hi,

Just after people's experience with introducing formula around 6 months old? My son is EBF and has always refused a bottle up until a week or so ago. I've been expressing enough for a bottle a day (which I give at night but I can only pump about 5oz per day) so usually give him this and then have to BF him anyway to get him to sleep.

I'd like to continue expressing and BFing however I'm due to return to work in a couple of months and I have a few events coming up over the next few weeks where I will need to leave my son with either his dad or my parents. I don't want to stress too much about pumping loads to make a stash so would like to try offering my son some formula so we always have that as an option. Is it possible to do this so that it doesn't affect my supply?

Is there an easy way to introduce formula? I was thinking of buying a couple of the ready made bottles of either HIPP organic? Or Kendamil? And then mixing that with some breast milk to see how he gets on with it and go from there?

Re your supply - id say if baby is 6mo you could slowly give some formula, just choose a type you like and offer a bottle every day, realistically I would imagine you are starting weaning so your supply will start to decrease over the next few months perhaps. You could mix breastmilk and formula in a bottle and see how it goes. You could also mix some with baby rice and keep it as watery as you like depending on how baby is managing with weaning going forward. I mixed both breast milk and formula with baby rice early on around 4/5 months and also with banana which was our starting point. If you are going back to work etc your supply will probably drop as life moves forward so I wouldn’t worry about giving a bottle here and there of formula or breast milk.

Hi Op. I would recommend calling the breastfeeding network for advice as they’re so helpful & knowledgable! I did the same as you, DD had the odd formula and initially I pumped every time, but it actually transpired that it didn’t impact my supply really since I was well established. I was (and still am) able to feed all day if we are together, but it’s nice having the option of a bottle especially on the go!

I think it’s a good idea to breastfeed first at bedtime then switch over to the bottle so he can learn to be comfortable falling asleep via a bottle (assuming you usually BF him to sleep and want to continue a feed to sleep). If you are wanting to give organic formula, I think you’re better to make it yourself at home, we found that the pre made kendamil didn’t come organic, hipp may be different though? It works out well if you’re mixing it with breastmilk anyway though as you can do say 3oz of hot formula and 3oz of refrigerated breastmilk so it’s a decent drinking temp.

By 6 months your supply is quite resilient. You should be fine to introduce some formula if you want to. They are all much the same so go with whichever one is stocked in several places near you for convenience. Also one which comes in the pre made bottles is handy so you keep one in a bag and one in the car.

Sorry I should add for your reassurance - I was worried about pumping/my supply going back to work. The BF network assured me I could probably do an overnight without pumping (except for comfort) and my supply would still be fine for baby. I have found that she can feed on demand no matter what now, if she is off nursery for the day or over the weekends etc. I think you’ll be in the same position by the time you go back to work - DD is 14m now and bf when with me and has toddler oatmilk at nursery no probs. No supply issues!

To add, our baby is 9 months and like you I pumped from the beginning approx 4-5oz which he had in a bottle once a day. When I went back to work at 6 months I did send him with pumped milk but he has some formula if needed at nursery too, depending on how much I’ve managed to pump/give them. He also now has 1 large bottle of formula at bedtime as it seems to help him through the night. Like a pp though, on the weekends I just BF him through the day. Supply seems fine.

As a side point OP, you are safe to use first stage formula until the age of 1 (when you can switch to standard milk). Follow on milk is a marketing ploy by the formula companies to get around advertising regulations, and doesn't add any benefits.

Ah I never thought of contacting them, that's a great shout!

Yes, that's one of my main things I need help with is feeding him to sleep as I work night shifts so I want to be in a place where I know he'll be able to fall asleep without me there. I will give that a go tomorrow and see how we get on!

Thank you for your reply! That's great to know :)

Good to know as the hipp organic one was advertising milk for 6-12 months 🤔

Try combo feeding. Start slow with mixing bottles (like 25/75, then 50/50) and give baby time to adjust. If tummy sensitivity is a concern, bobbie gentle is often one people try since it’s designed to be a bit easier on digestion. Most babies still need a week or two to settle in, and some just take their time, so patience is definitely needed 😅.