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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

mixing breast with bottle feeding

35 replies

boobie · 05/04/2005 12:34

Can anyone give me advice on mixing breast feeding with bottles of formula. I am struggling to get DD to take formula for one feed a day, she puts up a battle but gives in in the end and I need her to take it for return to work. I've tried expressing but can't get enough for two feeds a day. Any general advice would be appreciated.

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Original poster
boobie · 05/04/2005 21:21

hello buddhamummy it's nice to know someone else is in same boat. I might try the bit of both as i'd never thought of it.

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Buddhamummy · 09/04/2005 21:24

How is it going Boobie? I tried the tommie tipee teats on friday with bm and my mum giving her the bottle. Dd wasnt having any of it though! Very upset so gave in!

So now tried Avent first cup which has a small rubbery mouth piece, just using it with water at the moment to get Dd use to it. So far so good! although drinking is slower and more messy than bottle Dd does seem to be getting used to the idea of liquid coming from another source! Will try some formula tomorrow and let you know?

Original poster
boobie · 11/04/2005 13:02

I have to say I could take stress no more and gave up on bottle, harmony is now restored. She is very keen on her solid food and now has two meals a day with breast feed first. Bought a cup but it's one with valve and she won't suck it so I'll try another one with spout like you. Hope I can get one though i live in no shop land, will let you know too.

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morganlion · 12/04/2005 15:35

hi, have exactly same problem, my 3 months old won't take a bottle. My milk is not good cos he is not gaining weight well, I was advised to give him a formula once a day but no way of getting it into him! he screams and kicks and it braks my heart, so I give up and give him breast knowing it's not enough and he feeds every 2-3 h at night now.
He started sleeping longer, but as he grows he needs more food so he just eats more often...
bm, fm- different sorts, teats, spoon, cup, water from the bottle, NOTHING works.

Phoned the NCT BF Line - they are useless.
NO help whatesoever, I am desperate and exhausted, just cry with him,
WHAT TO DO!???? HELP!!!

tiktok · 12/04/2005 15:53

morgan, how was the NCT bf line useless?

A baby who's not gaining weight well needs more breastmilk, and the quality of the milk will be just fine.

Your baby is sad, you are sad.....just breastfeed him as much as he wants and even more than that

This is a far more effective way of helping gain weight than withholding breastmilk and trying to get him to take formula which he refuses.....

hermykne · 12/04/2005 19:37

morganlion
i echo tiktok, at 3mths, 12wks the baby still needs lots of feeding erractivally as it may seem, but it will settle.
your breast milk more than satisfies them, so do not feel you yourself are not proucing the milk,
and u must know that the more they feed the more you make, and as the feeeds stretch out this equals larger amounts at feeding time.

dont give him the formula if he is screaming, is there anything else up with him?
how is his wind or bowel movements? is he tired at feeding time and is he hungry ?

my ds is now 8mths, 11lb2 at birth , ravished me! and i really thought this is a baby permantly stuck to me but at 4mths it all settled into a very content routine and i am still feeding him to my amazement (wasnt going further than 6)with 5min feeds 3 times a day!

chin up, you are doing really well.

Original poster
boobie · 12/04/2005 22:10

Hello Morganlion,
I remember a feeding frenzy when my DD was 3 months and I fed more often as this increases supply. Don't pressure yourself into a timetable, just go by your own. I wouldn't use formula at all but for return to work looming. If you feed a lot more often in the day baby will need less at night, worth a try anyway. Hope things improve - Let us know how you get on.

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JoHo · 13/04/2005 20:11

I had the same problem as many of you. My 5 month old little un' would not take to a bottle of formula (and I suppose I didn't really want her to but as I was going back to work it had to be done)I spent about 30 quid on different bottles and teats I even spent 15 quid on a bottle that was shaped like a boob !! but to no avail ! in the end she took to the NUK orthodontic latex teats after not been fed for nearly 5 hours. But I must admit that it broke my heart and still does that she takes the bottle knowing that I've got what she needs on tap. But I still feed her morning and night so the way I look at it is that she has the best (or breast !!) of both worlds

Original poster
boobie · 13/04/2005 21:22

Quick update, DD won't drink out of any cups just pushes them back out. Made last ditch attempt with formula today and bought a variety of cartons of ready made formula to try. Used SMA white at 6pm feed, when she is really hungry and she took it. Took 4oz straight then complained a bit and refused but I kept bottle warm, she likes it very warm like breast milk, and she took rest while playing with bottle for a bit. Going to try 11am feed tomorrow and see as it's day feeds I need her to take. Wish me luck!

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Original poster
boobie · 13/04/2005 21:24

How are you getting on Buddhamummy?

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