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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Okay to give formula occassionally?

27 replies

Feeltrapped · 03/05/2009 21:41

Hi there. I am currently excl b/f my 10 week old DS. I have been really lucky and not had any problems or real pain and DS has been putting on weight really well.

Generally when we go out I still breast feed but on a few occasions when this hasn't been practical I have expressed and given him EBM in a bottle which he takes fine.

The only trouble i have really is finding the time to express, so I was thinking that on the few occassions I need to bottle feed, of giving DS formula instead (assuming he takes it). In reality this would probably amount to 2-3 feeds a week max.

In your opinions would that be okay or do you think it would be better to keep on exclusively b/f?

Thank in advance

OP posts:
thisisyesterday · 03/05/2009 21:49

personally I didn't want to give formula at all to ds2
my reasons for that being:
1.) wishing to preserve the virgin gut
2.) not wanting to support unethical formula manufacturers by buying the product.

if neither of those bothers you then it's fine to give him a few formula feeds a week
although I think it's quicker and easier to just breastfeed wherever you are!

moondog · 03/05/2009 21:50

It is undoubtedly 'better' for a baby to receive species specific milk rather than something developed and made in a factory.

This actually needs to be reworded though. As breastfeeding is the biological norm, then it is the 'normal' thing to do, and anything that isn't (ie formula feeding) brings with it risks.

It is important to know that.
Some people want to give their child formula (sometimes or all of the time).

Some people don't. I didn't (although my first had a bottle or two of formula).

Some people find expressing quite hard (I did).What can help is doing it at a time when breasts are full (morning good for me, fed off one, pumped off other), doing so regulalry (which stimulates supply-first few times I got nothing much) and collecting small amounts which can be put together to make up a feed and be frozen.

nigglewiggle · 03/05/2009 21:52

It wouldn't have been my choice, but of course it is fine.

Why do you find that it isn't practical to breastfeed when you are out? One of the many things I like about BFing is how easy it is. Do you feel uncomfortable feeding in public?

SpinningEm · 03/05/2009 21:54

Feeltrapped please don't feel bad for wanting to use the odd formula - you've done brill so far - expressing is hard and the odd ff will not hurt - good luck

Original poster
Feeltrapped · 03/05/2009 21:56

Sorry my post was a bit misleading - to be honest it was more on the few occasions I have to leave him with other people that I was thinking of giving him a formula bottle (in particular my mum is going to have him one day a week for a few hours) - I just seem to struggle to express enough milk easily.

Agree completely that if I'm with him it is quicker and easier to breast feed - the only time I have felt really uncomfortable is when we took DS to football

Thanks for your thoughts x

OP posts:
WorzselMummage · 03/05/2009 21:58

The occasionaly bottle of formula will do no harm atall

Expressing it rubbish isnt it ..

pinkspottywellies · 03/05/2009 21:59

I am also ex bf my 10 wk old ds and have been in tears tonight over how relentless it feels! But in terms of being out and about I can't imagine how formula would make it easier. Are you ok with feeding in public?

Also agree about expressing first thing in the morning while you feed from the other side.

Original poster
Feeltrapped · 03/05/2009 22:00

Thanks SpinningEm - I just feel a bit bad as there isn't really any reason for doing this apart from convenience for me!

OP posts:
thisisyesterday · 03/05/2009 22:01

ahh fair enough, def harder to breastfeed if you aren't there

i found mornings the best time to express too. used to get up before ds2 each morning and go and express from both sides and then bung in freezer.

pinkspottywellies · 03/05/2009 22:01

Ah that makes more sense! No I guess it's fine if that's your choice

RubyBlueberry · 03/05/2009 22:03

If you express when your baby is in the room it's easier too!!

tryingtobemarypoppins · 03/05/2009 22:04

Feeltrapped, off course there is nothing wrong at all in giving your LO formula!!! You do whatever is best for you and your baby. I personally felt a great deal of pressure from friends who shared similar views to thisisyesterday, everyone has their views but I persoanlly think you do what is right for you!! You are allowed to venture out and a bottle of formula is not a major issue!

I breastfeed for 6 months, mix feeding from 5 months and my DS was in hospital 4 times in his first year with broncalisit (sp?) infection etc etc etc. I have friends who formular feed from day 1 and have the healthiest kids I know!! I am a little pissed off as I bleed every feed, had terrible infections and a cyst and still I carried on!! Where is the justice!!!

You have some you time, enjoy your successful breastfeeding and don't for goodness sake worry about a bottle of formula!!

pinkspottywellies · 03/05/2009 22:05

My god. There's nothing wrong with doing anything for your convenience! Whatever keeps you sane, I always think

tryingtobemarypoppins · 03/05/2009 22:08

Spot on pinkspottywellies (love the name BTW)

Original poster
Feeltrapped · 03/05/2009 22:09

Thanks for all your replies.

Sorry I was misleading there. Although I mentioned that I have used EBM when out and about, I was actually thinking about this more for when I leave DS with DP or mum.

I don't really have any problem with b/f in public, I just use a breastfeeding cape.

Expressing is rubbish! I just seem to find it difficult to express much at a time. I don't know why as DS has no problem guzzling away!

Sorry to hear it is getting you down pinkspottywellies x

OP posts:
scottishmummy · 03/05/2009 22:09

your baby,you decide what works for you,not the MN jury

inevitability polarised opinion on this BUT suit yourself.

lowrib · 03/05/2009 22:11

I've heard that any FFing can raise the risk of developing allergies (e.g. eczema and asthma).

Here's a link about it.

I haven't looked into it though so I really don't know if that's based on science or rumour - does anyone know?

Original poster
Feeltrapped · 03/05/2009 22:12

Sorry crossed posts then!

tryingtobemarypoppins - ouch! you poor thing, that sounds very painful. You are right - there is no justice!

Thanks ladies x

OP posts:
kd73 · 03/05/2009 22:35

Hi Feeltrapped,

I am BF 5month old and understand how restrictive life can be. However, I use a Medala Swing phase 2 pump first thing in the morning on my strongest side whilst feeding DS on the other. DS is given breast milk by dad each night, whilst I have a bath / surf net / phone friends etc etc. I found a manual pump could not extract an ounce even.

Whilst I am not against ff, I am extremely proud to continue to sustain all the needs of my DS and to have saved ££££

Good luck with whatever choices you decide to make!

moondog · 03/05/2009 23:37

Feel, interested in you using a cape.
Why is that caN i ask?
Are you in the UK?

Original poster
Feeltrapped · 04/05/2009 11:27

Hi Moondog. Yes I'm in the UK.

The cape is actually a poncho thing my sister lent me - meant to allow you to breast feed discreetly. To be honest I'm not really bothered who sees my boobs these days - its DP that tends to worry about it more! As if anyone would be desperately trying to catch a glimpse of these stretch marked covered things !!

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Have tried again this morning to express with both a manual and electric pump but got next to nothing off. I guess that might make the decision for me....

OP posts:
goingnowherefast · 04/05/2009 11:42

afaik the virgin gut is not likely to be affected by an occasional bottle of formula, though there is actually little research into the virgin gut at all, and no-one really knows how important it is.

My issues with giving formula were mainly centred on not wanting to mess up breastfeeding for us as it's all supply and demand etc.. also I was worried about nipple confusion. Personally I wouldn't do it if breastfeeding was going well and I had no issues with it. That said, I feel that if it keeps your sanity and maybe enables you to have a break for an evening and also maybe help you continue breastfeeding for longer, it's a great idea

goingnowherefast · 04/05/2009 11:44

btw I did give some formula due to problems.

coolkat · 04/05/2009 11:44

Feeltrapped, I am also BF my 6mth old. At about 8 weeks I tried her with her 1st bottle of formula just because I did not want to be in the situation where she would not take a bottle if needed. I then however left if for over a month without offering a bottle and she did not take it. In my opinion I think it is good to offer a bottle every so often once BF is established so that you can leave your LO with someone else and know they will take a feed. Whether this feed is expressed milk or formula. I like you trouble with expressing and now try at least once a week to offer a bottle of formula so I know she will take it!

lynniep · 04/05/2009 11:49

I mix fed my son right from the start (actually didnt have the choice as he was in scbu and they gave him formula as well as the tiny amounts I expressed). I never had issues with supply and demand - I know this can be an issue, but I was never able to express much even when my bosoms felt full to exploding, so it was use formula or be the only one doing the feeds.
I have no issues with using formula, and whilst I enjoyed bf'ing my DS, I also really appreciated the freedom not having to be the one always doing the feed.
Good luck whatever you decide!