Breast Milk, Formula, or Mixed Feedings: A Poll
Can I trust you all to play nicely? Let’s have a frank discussion about breast milk, formula, and whether or not you consider breastfeeding an “all-or-nothing” proposition (for the record, I think exclusive breastfeeding is wonderful but breastfeeding does not have to be all-or-nothing. It’s not a club. It’s not a contest. Some breast milk is better than all formula. If a mother is worried about milk supply, I hope she seeks the help of a lactation consultant or La Leche League leader, and considers whether supplementation is truly necessary). Keep in mind, it’s all about the baby (and sometimes what’s best for the mother is best for the baby too). Sometimes it’s not a matter of choice, sometimes it is. I hope that every baby gets as much breast milk as possible, either through breastfeeding, pumping (which I still think of as breastfeeding), or donor milk. Once available breast milk resources have been exhausted, formula has its place. Let’s face it, though, many breastfeeding women occasionally need or want to give their babies some artificial milk (formula). So, answer the poll as best you can for your most recent (or only) child. What is the breast milk to formula ratio in your case? Feel free to add a comment (”Grandma couldn’t stop the baby from crying and she found a can of formula” or “Formula works for me” or whatever).
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POSTED IN: breast milk, breastfeeding, poll
11 opinions for Breast Milk, Formula, or Mixed Feedings: A Poll
Emily
Jan 22, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Shortly after my second son was born, he developed a stomach flu. I was told by his doc to supplement with formula. He was 4 weeks old (and a champ at breastfeeding…much better than #1 ever was). I was terrified that he would taste the formula and decide that was all he wanted. I gave him the first bottle after he’d finished bf, I put 2 ounces in the bottle. He took 1 ounce and didn’t want anymore. He was HORRIBLY gassy by the next feeding. The next feeding, I put another 2 ounces in. He took a few swallows and quit. By the third feeding, he took a swallow and SPIT IT OUT. I was SUPER THRILLED when he (my son) agreed with me and didn’t want the formula either…my heart rejoiced…and he recovered just fine.
So, even though he’s had a few swallows of formula, I still answered “no”! We’ve been going strong for 6 1/2 months! :)
janya
Jan 22, 2008 at 6:02 pm
I’m a total martyr, so I’m not the best person to pose this question to :) After 6 weeks of newborn thrush (and horrid nipple yeast), two bad cases of mastitis, and chronic plugged ducts, I have only ever breastfed my 6.5 month old son from my breasts. He just started on solids, but we still nurse like fiends. Guess you could say I was hell-bent through it all!
Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor
Jan 22, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Emily, breast milk is wonderful for babies who have the stomach flu. It’s easily digestible and offers antibodies that can help the baby fight the flu and keep him from getting dehydrated (I can’t figure what that doctor’s reasoning was). Thank goodness you listened to your son, and he knew what was good for him :) Congrats on surpassing the 6-month mark!
Janya, sometimes when things are tough, it’s continuing to breastfeed that offers the most satisfaction. Good for you for working through the problems (and continue to hang in there — I had chronic plugged ducts and repeated bouts of mastitis too, but they eventually lessened). If you want you can do a search on Breastfeeding 1-2-3 for articles I’ve written on plugged ducts and mastitis.
Heather
Jan 22, 2008 at 6:22 pm
I am very happy that my 7 1/2 month old daughter has never had formula. She’s never been sick, and she is off the growth charts for both height and weight. So much so that her pediatrician said not to rush into solids (of course, not to delay too much either). Now, she gets one meal a day of solids and mama’s milk the rest of the time.
I recently donated milk to a friend’s baby who is in daycare and been getting sick. My friend had gone back to work and was not able to pump as much, so they were supplementing. When I offered the milk in my freezer (about 60 oz), she jumped at the chance to give her son the extra antibodies to help fight off all that crud. It was such a great feeling to know that I was able to help in some small way!
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Maria
Jan 22, 2008 at 8:09 pm
My son is 13 months and never had a drop of formula. We have started some cheeses and yogurt, but I am considering taking those out. I still pump so he has bm in a sippy at daycare, and we nurse at night. :)
That being said, my position is much like Angela’s.
Steph
Jan 23, 2008 at 5:30 pm
We had a difficult start to breastfeeding as our son didn’t latch on for the first time until he was about five days old. At the time, we found that formula was a good tool for initiating breastfeeding as it got enough calories into our son for us to keep trying and supplemented what little I could pump in the early days.
Our hospital was very supportive of breastfeeding, considered formula a last resort and had excellent support for initating breastfeeding. By the time we left hospital, he was exclusively breastfed and has never needed formula since.
Selena
Jan 23, 2008 at 8:30 pm
My daughter is now 15 months and has also never tasted formula. I’m thankful every day that I’ve been able to nurse, very much so in the first year because I know of the many benefits. Now I’m glad we’re still nursing because she is not a big eater and I am comforted knowing that on days when she refuses most other things, she still wants her “boo” and is getting nutrition that way.
As an aside… at the last visit to the pediatrician, there was a basket that was labeled “FREE”. I peeked and saw tiny bottles of formula. It was a name brand formula, but it was a horrible grayish color. It looked totally unappetizing. Even if I used formula, giving that to my baby would have really given me pause. Another bonus… breast milk is prettier!
Cairo Mama
Jan 24, 2008 at 7:03 pm
I had a rough start with breastfeeding (latch/Raynauds) and was starting to think we just weren’t going to get it but I was determined to push through as long as I could take it. From 6 -12 weeks I gave one bottle of formula (sometimes breastmilk) a day so I could get a break. I either rested or pumped. I didn’t do it every day, but just knowing that I had given myself permission to do it was comforting and gave me strength to get through. About 10 weeks I discovered it was Raynauds and things got better immediately, by 12 weeks, I had moved to a warmer climate and my problems went away completely. I never liked to pump and so he got an occasional bottle of formula when I was away from him, which was very rare.
I think that “all or nothing” attitude is counter productive in most things, especially breastfeeding. If a women is thinking of giving up, a formula break may be just the thing to get her over the hump. It can be difficult in the beginning for a variety of reasons and if more women used formula in controlled amounts, like one bottle day, more women would succeed. Right now so many give up and those that give up often cite LC’s that had the “all or nothing attitude” that made them feel like it wasn’t for them or they couldn’t do it because they were having so much trouble and not getting support.
My son is almost 17 months old and is still nursing quite a bit. I’m so glad I hung in there because after the first 3 months, it has been so much easier than dealing with formula and bottles, especially during international travel. Now that he is older, nursing saves us when he is teething, bored, or hurt besides providing great nutrition.
Emily G
Jan 30, 2008 at 5:18 am
Towards the end of the bottles days when I wasn’t able to pump enough for 2 8 oz bottles, I did mix breastmilk with formula. My kids never got a straight up bottle of formula, always a mix.
At the most, I think the bottle was half and half, never more formula than breastmilk. Usually it was 5 oz breastmilk and 3oz formula.
Kristen King
Jan 31, 2008 at 10:38 am
These are important questions, and great responses. Thanks for a wonderful discussion! I’m glad I got to read it.
Kristen
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