How far apart is breast milk and formula?

This is an automatically translated article.

Breastfeeding is a safe method chosen by many families, for different reasons. In some cases, your doctor will recommend combination breastfeeding for medical reasons. So how long is the difference between breast milk and formula?
The article was professionally consulted with Master, Doctor Doan Ngoc Quynh Tram - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital.

1. Reasons to add formula milk

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 4-6 months, then continue to give the baby solid foods in combination with breastfeeding for 1 day. year or so.
Because of this advice and many other reasons, it is not easy for most mothers to make the decision to add formula to their babies. But there are still many families who have breastfed their babies combined with formula, both voluntary and compulsory. This is still considered a safe method and you can safely use it if:
Your baby has medical problems If your baby was born prematurely or has certain medical conditions, he or she may need more milk mom. The purpose of formula supplementation is usually to help babies gain weight.
You have less milk If you have had breast surgery or have certain medical conditions, your breast milk production may be hindered. However, any woman can experience low milk production. When you or your doctor feel your baby is not getting enough nutrition through breastfeeding, he or she will need infant formula supplements.
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You'll return to work Pumping at work may not be convenient, or you may experience a decrease in your breast milk supply after work return. If you don't have a reserve of breast milk in the freezer, you may have to add formula to your baby's diet.
Partner wants to help Your husband may want to share the responsibility, support breastfeeding. You can give him stored breast milk, or give him formula from time to time.
You have many children Breastfeeding twins or triplets exclusively is quite difficult. A mother must not only maintain an abundant milk supply, but also breastfeed her baby very often. To help the mother rest both physically and mentally, families can give their babies supplemental formula.

You want it so Some moms have a preference for breastfeeding for a certain amount of time and letting their baby drink formula the rest of the time.
Most doctors recommend exclusive breastfeeding. However, your doctor may recommend supplementing with formula if:
An infant loses more than 10% of its body weight in the first few days of life An infant loses or gains weight slowly after the first few days Your baby uses less than 6 diapers in a 24 hour period She is very fussy and seems unsatisfied after a feed.

2. When to start formula feeding?

If not for a medical reason, experts recommend breastfeeding for at least 1 month before starting formula. This gives you time to create a healthy breast milk supply and make sure your baby is breastfeeding well. After that time, you can slowly introduce formula to your baby.
Is it okay to mix breast milk and formula together? While it is possible to put breast milk and formula in the same bottle, mixing can result in wasted breast milk if the baby doesn't finish the bottle. For safety reasons, breast milk should not be combined with undiluted infant formula or concentrated formula. Always use clean water and prepare formula according to the manufacturer's instructions.
How long apart is breast milk and formula? If possible, breastfeed your baby first, then formula until full in the same feeding. Because babies can digest breast milk more easily, infant formula makes them feel fuller for longer. After formula-feeding, babies may not get hungry as quickly as after breast-feeding.
Some babies just want milk from their mothers, have trouble using bottles, or don't like the taste of formula. As a result, a baby may refuse to take the bottle, especially if it is the mother who gives the bottle while breastfeeding. The transition can go more smoothly if the father or caregiver gives the baby a bottle of formula.
Conversely, after your baby gets used to formula and bottles, he may not want to breastfeed anymore. Breastfeeding takes more work, so many babies just seek formula to satisfy hunger.
Before choosing a baby formula, consult your pediatrician. Most health professionals recommend iron-fortified infant formula for the first year of life. After starting formula, if your baby has a rash, vomiting, diarrhea, crying a lot, fussiness or gas, etc., it could be a sign of a milk allergy. Discontinue use and ask your doctor about other infant formula options.

The wish of every parent is that their child is always happy, healthy and well developed. If you are wondering whether breast milk or formula is better, you should know that it is good to be able to exclusively breastfeed your baby, but a combination of breastfeeding and formula is still a safe choice. whole.
Pediatrics - Vinmec International General Hospital is the place to receive and handle all problems related to infants and young children from: nutrition, health, vaccination... Therefore, in the process of raising small children, if parents encounter any difficulties, they can go to the hospital to be examined by experts and doctors and have appropriate indications
For a healthy and well-developed child, a healthy diet is required. Guaranteed nutrition in terms of quantity and quality balance. If children are not provided with adequate and balanced nutrients, it will lead to diseases of excess or lack of nutrients, which adversely affect the comprehensive development of children in terms of physical, mental and motor skills.
The period of baby eating solid foods is an extremely important period to help children develop comprehensively. Children who do not eat properly are at risk of micro-mineral deficiencies, causing anorexia, growth retardation, malabsorption, etc. If they notice the above signs, parents should supplement their children with supportive products. The supplement contains lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, and B vitamins to help fully meet the nutritional needs of children. At the same time, these essential vitamins also support digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, help improve anorexia, and help children eat well.
Parents can learn more:
Signs of zinc deficiency in children
Micronutrient deficiency and failure to gain weight in children
Please regularly visit Vinmec.com website and update useful information to take care of your child. Take care of the baby and the whole family.
Reference source: healthline.com