Should I introduce breast milk at 3 weeks or let it dry up? (No negativity please)

[Gettingonabitnow]

Hi

A rubbish series of events has meant i haven’t been able to breast feed and im gutted; I was on antibiotics for weeks after the birth then my baby was ill and had to be fed by bottle to strictly control her intake.

She’s now three weeks and well and I’m off antibiotics. My milk is still there. But she is settled on formula and in a routine - so should I express and introduce it to her now or will it unsettle her? And if I do give her it would you think to mix it in with her formula - as I don’t think I’d have enough per pump to provide her with a 4oz feed?

Thanks x

Express and give it to her; won't unsettle her in any way. You can always mix with formula so the taste isn't too different or top up with formula. Definitely do it if you can..... even if for a few weeks.
No agenda (I EBF one child and mixed fed the other)

check out the Kellymom site for some good info on relactation etc.

kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/relactation/

good for you for thinking about this - as PP said, even if its only a little or for a short time, it won't be a waste.
and if you can relactate, then great! free milk

Whatever you do don't mix it in with the formula.

Honestly, breast feeding can be really hard work, pumping can be exhausting and time consuming. Babies also process breast milk much quicker than formula so you may find shes wanting more feeds if you give breast milk instead of formula. They taste differently too.

There is no harm to adding in some breast milk if it's what you want but I wouldn't do it in your shoes (and consider that's coming from me, who is still breastfeeding my 3 year old DS!)

Thank you. I think I will.

(Sorry I assumed you meant using breast milk instead of water with the formula! Ignore my first comment)

I'm keen on breast feeding for the health benefits so I would do it in your position, but it's very much up to you. It's your body and you who have to do whatever you choose, both breast or bottle feeding have their own challenges. If you do want to I would see a lactation consultant and get some advice on reintroducing the breast as it is a lot nicer to actually breastfeed (if you can get it going comfortably) than just pumping all the time.

If you want to try I would pump in separate bottles ( each attempt ) until I could combine to a full feed it would take about 4-5 pumps but the milk stays fresh for up to 3 days and it was about one and half days pumping to get a feed ... but I was wanting to establish breast feeding ( it didn’t work but that’s a me issue ) he has been bottle feed exclusively since 10 weeks.

If you want to give it a go it will save money and if you can get baby on the boob it’s a lovely bonding experience ( when you are not exhausted 😂) and of course there is the benefit of antibodies in the milk , but don’t put pressure on you if it gets too much enjoy your baby as much as possible

Massive congratulations sorry to hear you both had such a rough start hopefully it’s plain sailing from now

The biggest challenge is probably the mindset between formula feeding which is often about timing/routine and measured amounts (unless you’re doing paced bottle feeding) and ebf which is more focussed on feeding on demand, and the only sign that you’re feeding enough is weight gain and nappy output. There are instructions on how to relactate (as well as Kellymom check out The Milk Meg or the analytical armadillo as both are likely to have materials on this). You could also consider using a supplemental nursing supply tube which means that you have a little plastic tube running alongside your nipple which is connected to a bottle. I think it’s great that you’re considering this. So many people don’t and breastmilkcontains so many great things for baby (and is good for you too). The other point is that it’s really unusual to have any medicine that means you can’t feed, there are some but not that many and most antibiotics are fine. There is a really great website called drugs in breastmilk and they have a helpline if you find yourself in that position in future

Thanks everyone. So just to confirm - I couldn’t say make up 3oz of formula and then mix in 1 oz of breast milk to make the 4oz, is that what you’re saying?

Oh maybe that’s not what you’re saying! 🤦‍♀️ God I need some sleep!

Yes that would be ok I think. But you have to have made up formula and breastmilk and mix. You can’t mix breastmilk with powdered formula

Give it a go! You might regret not giving it a go?

I mix fed both of mine (first for six weeks, second for 10 weeks) then they were on breast milk only until weaning.

If it doesn't work, it doesn't work.

Be kind to yourself.

If you are wanting to bf I would start by offering breast or expressed breast milk then offer a top up of formula.

You should be able to gradually reduce the formula top ups if that's what you want to do. Or you could express enough over the day to make a full feed of bm for one whole feed and do one feed ebm and the others formula.

You may as well give it a go and if you find it a faff you can stop.