Combining breastfeeding and supplementing with formula

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted with Master, Doctor Phan Ngoc Hai - Doctor of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.
Supplementing formula milk for babies while breastfeeding is a question of many parents, especially in the case of limited breast milk supply.

1. Can babies be breastfed and supplemented with formula at the same time?

Although health professionals recommend that breast milk be the sole source of food for babies until solid age (usually up to 6 months, depending on the child's readiness). However, parents can choose to supplement with formula when breastfeeding for health reasons, but the mother cannot exclusively breastfeed her baby due to medical conditions, the use of some special drugs, etc. adding formula milk is essential to provide adequate nutrients for the child's development in case the baby does not have conditions to supplement precious breast milk.

2. Does the addition of formula milk affect breast milk supply?

Breast milk secretion more or less depends on many factors, one of which is the need of the baby to suckle. The amount of breast milk secreted will decrease.
That's why many mothers worry that if they give their babies formula milk, the breastfeeding time will decrease, thereby reducing the amount of milk secreted. This is completely logical thinking, but if you are adding one or two bottles of formula per week to your baby, the effect of formula supplementation on your milk supply will be minimal. But if the baby is supplemented with regular formula, like feeding him a bottle a day, the mother's milk supply will adjust to the baby's diminishing needs.

3. How to know if the baby is drinking enough milk?

There are many mothers who worry that their natural milk supply is not enough to breastfeed. If you are also concerned about this, talk to your doctor for advice. Here are 3 signs to help you know your baby is getting enough milk:
Your baby is gaining enough weight: Your doctor will measure your baby's weight at each check-up to monitor your baby's growth. After the first 5 days after birth, babies should gain from 14 to 28g per day for the first 3 months, and 14g per day for 3 to 6 months. Lots of wet and dirty diapers: Newborns should change at least 4-6 wet diapers and more than 3 poop diapers in a 24-hour period Babies feed frequently: In a day, babies should feed at least 8 to 12 times during the first month postpartum and at least 7 times thereafter. Hearing the baby sucking is a good sign that the baby is suckling.

4. Signs that your baby needs formula milk?

Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about your baby's weight gain, growth, or eating habits. Here are some signs that your baby is not getting enough milk or is having problems that need to be seen:
Losing more weight than usual in babies: Babies lose up to 10% of their birth weight in the first 5 days of life. After 2 weeks, baby will return to birth weight Baby has little bowel movement, only changing about 6 wet diapers in a 24 hour period by 5 days old Irritability with feeds and most of the time day. The interval between feedings is very short or very long. If your baby usually feeds for less than 10 minutes or more than 50 minutes at a time, it means he's not getting enough milk. Children vomit a lot after feeding, causing the child not or slow to gain weight, vomiting blood

5. When to add infant formula?

You can start adding formula to your baby at any time. However, experts and doctors advise you to wait until your baby is at least 4 weeks old. Because this is the time to form a habit of breastfeeding and stimulate regular breast milk production. After this time, adding an occasional bottle of formula won't break the habit.
If your baby has a problem, such as not gaining enough weight or a limited breast milk supply, your doctor may suggest you add formula sooner. Mothers should supplement formula milk for babies in the following cases:
Mother does not have enough milk for the baby: Normally, breast milk will secrete a lot if the baby suckles a lot. However, if you have certain problems such as being hospitalized, being separated for longer than usual, your baby is not suckling well, you will have difficulty in producing milk. Even when everything is normal, there are some women who still cannot produce enough milk for their baby. This is quite common, especially in women who have had breast surgery or are older. If your baby still wants to feed after you've finished your milk, it's likely that your milk isn't meeting your baby's needs. Ask your baby's doctor about your baby's weight and then track how much your baby is feeding each time. You can express milk to increase milk production, in addition to feeding your baby the usual way or giving your baby extra formula for short periods of time. Hint: Compared to expressing milk, breastfeeding stimulates more milk production. Some women often decide to stop breastfeeding and express milk because of sore nipples. However, your milk production may be reduced by this. If your baby is new to bottle feeding, prepare a small bottle. If you're having twins, you can breastfeed and bottle-feed one baby, then switch back the next time.
Moms unable to express milk: When starting to return to work, some mothers often decide to stop breastfeeding. This is quite common because expressing milk at the company often makes mothers feel stressed and inconvenient. However, by giving your baby formula when you go to work, you can still continue to breastfeed your baby before and after you get home from work. Not only will this help your baby get the nutrients he needs from breast milk and formula, but it will also help relieve your stress. Your body will adapt to producing milk as needed within 1 to 2 weeks, milk production will be abundant in the early morning and at night. Hint: Start expressing and bottle-feeding your baby 1-2 times a day for a few weeks before you go back to work. This will help reduce the amount of milk secreted at noon. When you go to work, if your breasts feel uncomfortable, go to the bathroom and express milk gently. On weekends, to maintain milk production, try to breastfeed your baby all day.
Moms want more sleep: Many moms can adapt to waking up at night to breastfeed, but some have a hard time adapting to this. Staying up at night makes mothers tired, stressed and makes many people fall into depression. To maintain a healthy mental state, sleep plays an extremely important role. Hint: To help you get a full night's sleep, you can ask your husband to feed your baby expressed milk or formula by 11pm. Although you may find it uncomfortable at first, over time your body will get used to it.

6. The best way to give formula milk

If your baby has never had milk from a bottle, he may not be getting used to this new food source at first. That's because babies are used to their mother's body odor and prefer breast milk. But if your baby is used to bottle-feeding, the transition to formula may be a little easier, although he may be able to stick his nose into the formula bottle.
At first, babies may refuse formula in a bottle. Please be patient and try to give your baby time to get used to the new taste of food. The English name of the milk booster is supplemental nursing system-SNS. This is a device that helps you feed your baby and give him formula (or express breast milk) at the same time. You just need to attach two strings to stimulate milk production to both breasts, wear it on the neck used to store when the milk flows. At the same time, this is also the part used to squeeze and stimulate milk production.
When babies breastfeed, they receive an additional source of formula, along with breast milk. The breast pump allows the baby to continue breastfeeding, avoiding any preference for the bottle, while stimulating the production of breast milk.

7. Does supplementing with formula while breastfeeding affect babies?

Babies may begin to refuse to breastfeed if formula is given regularly. Bottles provide milk faster than breastfed babies, so if your baby is engrossed in feeding, there's a good chance he'll prefer the bottle.
When babies drink formula, the interval between feedings is longer. That's because babies digest formula more slowly than breast milk. So children can feel full for longer.
Your baby's poop will be different. The stool will become firmer (about the consistency of peanut butter), brown in color, and have a stronger odor. Children may also have less frequent bowel movements.

8. Can a baby be allergic to formula?

If your baby's stools are bloody when he first drinks formula, or if he's fussy, vomiting or has a rash, hives or diarrhea, he may be lactose intolerant or allergic to cow's milk protein or soy in formula milk. You should call your doctor for further advice.
In the case of a more severe reaction, such as swelling of the face or lips, wheezing or difficulty breathing, call 911 and take the child to the hospital immediately. This severe allergic reaction can be life-threatening.
You should talk to your doctor or lactation consultant. Also, read more about formula feeding problems and solutions on reputable websites, books...
Supplementing with formula while breastfeeding is a new journey for both mother and baby. . Therefore, patience from both mother and child is essential.
Newborns in general are prone to respiratory diseases, gastrointestinal infections if they eat solids early or the storage and preparation of milk is not guaranteed. To protect children's health, parents should do well to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first 6 months (if possible) and vaccinate on schedule. As soon as a child shows symptoms such as anorexia, fatigue, and crying, the child needs to go to the hospital to be consulted by a specialist for monitoring and treatment. The pediatric department at Vinmec International General Hospital is the address for receiving and examining diseases that infants and young children are susceptible to: viral fever, bacterial fever, otitis media, pneumonia in children. With a system of facilities, modern medical equipment, sterile space, minimizing the impact as well as the risk of disease spread, Vinmec will bring satisfaction to customers. and is highly appreciated by industry experts with:
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Reference source: babycenter.com