Your questions on breast, bottle and mixed feeding have been answered by MAM's expert midwife, Katie Hilton

[BellaMumsnet]

Whether you’re a first time parent or have had babies before, feeding newborns and infants can raise a host of questions. Katie Hilton, MAM’s expert midwife and nurse, is here to help you find answers.

Katie is a dual qualified nurse, midwife and health visitor. Her experience has been mainly in labour delivery, postnatal and public/family health settings in hospitals and in the community. She has experience working with families in the UK, North America and Asia. Her specialist areas include infant feeding, sleep and child development. She currently practises independently as a midwife and health visitor and provides specialist advice to parents and families on behalf of the parenting press and nursery industry brands.

Here’s what MAM has to say: “Here at MAM we believe in supporting every mum on their feeding journey, whichever journey they choose. We want mums to join us in supporting each other, whether you opted for breast, bottle, or combination feeding, MAM has a solution to help parents feel confident and babies feel good. We know lots of parents end up opting for combination feeding - ie using a combination of breast and bottle feeding, whether with breastmilk or formula milk - and this can be a tricky thing to get good advice on, so if you've got any combi-feeding questions we'd love to hear them. Any question or experience shared could go on to help another mum out there.”

So whatever your question about feeding babies, if you'd like some advice please post your questions on this thread for Katie to answer. Katie will be back between the 25th January and the 5th February to answer your questions.

All who share a question on the thread below will be entered into a prize draw where one lucky Mumsnet user will win a £200 voucher for a store of their choice.

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

I've been mix bottle feeding my 4 week old since birth due to tongue tie.

I'm expressing well, though sometimes I can get around 200ml from 15 mins on each breast, and then the next express, I get less than 100ml. I do the same amount of time, express every 4 hours.

Sometimes I can get two 200ml expresses in a row, and then get 100ml. Is there a reason for this? Could I be getting dehydrated? Is there anyway to ensure a more bountiful express each time?

You ought to get Lucy Ruddle on to do a mixed feeding Q&A, she's just written a book on it!

This is a thinly veiled marketing spot for mam who I'm sure will be trotted out as the best mxed feeding bottle or some such.

While you're at it, can you get an IBCLC to look over the "breastfeeding tips to get you started" article I keep seeing stickied everywhere, as it's riddled with myths, inaccuracies and tired old untrue clichés.

I'm staggered mn would even try and pull this off. Who code violations everywhere.

There really is nowhere for new mums to go to chat about feeding methods without it involving a product being pushed. It's really sad.

If mn were planning a feeding qa with the best intentions they would get someone from the nhs. My hospital trust has an infant feeding co ordinater. I'm sure others do.

I'm really very shocked.

I BF my son until 16 months, he had formula in SCBU but not afterwards. I expressed for him which he did take on occasion until 4/5 months when he started teething. I'm expecting again but would like to try and combo feed. I'm thinking a bottle of formula before bedtime. How and when in the best time to introduce this?

She also in the daily fail pushing prep machines, the type which are not recommended by first steps nutrition. Also sleep positioners that are not recommended by Lullaby Trust

"Just out of interest, who would someone who has basically done formula advertising ( here for example ) in any way a suitable person to advise on breastfeeding? Isn't there a conflict of interest there? Are there no actual breastfeeding experts and supporters that you could have invited on for this?"

Previous poster hit the nail on the head. Such a disappointing thread.

I worked my way up the test sizes from 1-4... why can’t you start a baby straight away on size 4?

*teat, not test!

What are the best bottles to get when mainly breast feeding but wanting to express some so partner can do feeds?

@lauren987
There was a recent study about micro plastics from baby bottles that had been steam sterilised. I had been intending to save my bottles in case of a second baby, but after reading about this I've decided not to.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/environment/2020/oct/19/bottle-fed-babies-swallow-millions-microplastics-day-study

How do you encourage combi feeding? Once mine realised a bottle was easier they wouldn't breastfeed

Would love to know so I can help my sister as she is due in a little while

Why do so many women go for bottle feeding, when breast feeding is more important, no? (Especially when possible)

I always wondered at this question: if a woman is not able to produce enough breast milk and has to mainly bottle feed, does this not mean the baby won't get all nutrients needed?

Irrespective of Katie Hilton's credentials, surely it's not appropriate for someone from a bottle company to be talking about infant feeding?

Hmm no sign of Katie yet, had second thoughts perhaps?

My little boy much prefers the number 1 and 2 teats even though he is older than 2 months, do you think this is just how he is or i should be trying harder for year acceptance? x

There's no law that he has to prefer a bigger teat :) Just let him use the smaller ones if that's what he likes!

What is the best way to combi-feed so my husband and I can alternate nights with feeding the baby? I've heard about nipple confusion and babies rejecting a bottle so any tips on avoiding that would be great

Can you start mixed feeding straight away or do you have to wait 6, 8, 12 weeks for breast feeding to be established?

Okay so I have nothing against bottle feeding at all, but isn't it a bad thing that people are moving more towards bottle feeding over breast feeding? Nature is meant to be perfect, ie. breast milk containing everything a baby needs. Always find it strange how women are all different with their preferences.

If a woman chooses to just bottle feed, is that taking away from the baby? I know some women choose this, but apart from the obvious things such as lack of breast milk etc., I never could understand why.

This
Also Mam using the trust associated with midwives to promote their products.
😬

Yes to seeing the brilliant independent resource
First steps nutrition
Shared

All families should have the opportunities to make choices for their children free from commercial influence, Informed is best

Hello everyone - thanks so much for all of your questions. Feeding newborns can raise so many questions, and issues are very common so never feel alone in your feeding journey.

@Ladybird345

When would you advise starting to combination feed a baby? I tried it with my son and he didn't take to it at all and would refuse the bottle full stop even when it had breastmilk in it, I didn't introduce it until he was a couple of months old so did I introduce it too late? Thanks.

Hello @Ladybird345, thank you for your question. It's advisable to feed a baby at least for the first 6-8 weeks at the breast to establish your breastmilk supply and give both you and baby a good opportunity and time to learn the techniques associated with breastfeeding. After this time should you choose to combination feed you can introduce a bottle.

@ronswansonstache

I became a mum in lockdown and really struggled with breastfeeding. I have never got my DD to latch and am now combi feeding via pumping.

Some of the specific challenges I faced throughout lockdown were:

No support from my partner on the ward following birth as he was sent home

Understaffed hospitals

Trying to be coached to bf while wearing a mask (it's surprisingly difficult to see your own boobs properly while wearing one!), or over zoom.

Lack of in person mum and baby groups and community midwife support

Obviously it is too late for me but do you have any advice for mums struggling to BF in lockdown?

Hello @ronswansonstache, thank you for your question and congratulations on the arrival of little one! I know it's been so hard for so many families welcoming a baby during these difficult times. Everything has been so different and maternity units have struggled so much with a much higher level of staff sickness than ever seen before. So, advice for mums wanting to breastfeed and delivering during lockdown: firstly, spend as much time as possible before baby arrives learning everything about breastfeeding, positioning, latch and how to recognise a good latch. If possible practise the different positions, visualising how you would hold and support baby. Find out what support groups are available, both locally and nationally, and make a list of those, including national helpline numbers. Keep it somewhere accessible so you know who to ring should difficulties arise. Learn about common complications associated with breastfeeding and make a bullet point list of what to do to overcome each one; so read about sore, cracked nipples, engorgement, mastitis, blocked ducts and low milk supply. This way should any of them occur you will be able to refer to the notes and have a rough idea of what to do. And finally please, please, please don't be afraid to reach out for help. I know midwives and health visitors always seem busy but we're here to support you. Ask if you could have a telephone consultation with one of the infant feeding advisors or a peer supporter in the community. Ask friends and family who have previously breastfed for their top tips and advice too!