Is it okay to breastfeed my newborn and give them formula at the same time?

You mentioned that you have a newborn, so first of all, congratulations on that. And you're wondering if it's okay to breastfeed and bottle-feed with formula at the same time. And it definitely is okay, but there's a lot of things to think about before you start supplementing with formula. First of all, I recommend talking with your pediatrician, because they can work through a lot of issues with you. And if your desire is to breastfeed, then they can help you make that a successful experience, and refer you to a lactation specialist which can actually sit down one on one with you and watch you nurse your baby and decide what's going right, what adjustments need to be made, and if your baby isn't latching properly, help them latch properly so that breastfeeding can go well for both of you.

There are so many benefits to breastfeeding your baby. It helps them have less infections in the first year, it actually helps to prevent issues down the road - things like diabetes and obesity. But it also is beneficial to your body too. It helps to fight off things like postpartum depression, diabetes and cancers later in life. So it's so good to breastfeed. Any healthcare worker that you talk with is going to say "breast is best" - that's one of our mottos, but sometimes formula needs to be given too, because the bottom line is that a baby's nutritional needs need to be met. If breast milk can do that, then great. But if it can't, then thank goodness we have formula, because formula can also help a baby thrive, and formula-fed kids go to kindergarten too. So if your baby is happy, healthy, and gaining the appropriate amount of weight as outlined by the pediatrician on breast milk, and you can keep doing that, then I would say "go for it".

And keep in mind that even though breastfeeding is a natural thing, that certainly doesn't mean it comes naturally. It takes a lot of work and effort in the beginning, especially if this is your first baby. Most lactation specialists tell women that if they can just stick with it for at least 6 weeks, things will get better. But if during those first 6 weeks, your baby's needs aren't being met, your body isn't making enough milk in spite of your best efforts of increasing your supply, maybe you're making skim milk instead of whole and your baby's not growing, then yes, definitely supplement with formula.

Now every once in a while, a mom will want or need a break, and she won't be able to nurse her baby when her baby is ready to eat. Let's say that you're going to go somewhere for 4 hours, and the person who is home with your baby is going to give them a bottle of formula. If you have stored breast milk, then you could give that to your baby. But if you don't have any storage, then you could give formula. Just keep in mind that if you're not stimulating your body to make milk by either nursing or pumping, then you'll probably see a decrease in your supply if this is happening on a regular basis. For example, some mothers noticed in the afternoon time that their milk supply isn't as good as it is at other times of the day, and so they just think, "Oh, well I need to supplement with formula", instead of trying to boost their supply. So then they replace that afternoon feeding with formula, and then they make no milk during the afternoon. So they're able to nurse their baby in the morning, evening, and night time hours, but not in the afternoon, because milk supply is a supply-and-demand type of function. So if you're not emptying the breast, it doesn't get the message that it needs to make more. So just a word of caution if you're wanting to formula-feed, just know that you should use formula at consistent times of the day, otherwise you'll notice a decrease in your supply overall.

[topanga]

FED IS BEST. I’m a labor and delivery nurse with 10 years experience working for a pediatrician. Feed your baby. I don’t care how, just feed him/her and stop judging others for feeding their babies however they feel is best for them!!!

[wellroundedmama]

🗣Att Moms : Don't stress Mommies if you can't or choose not to breast feed or pump !!! I personally can't breast feed due to a surgery but I still pump (only twice a day btw) .i basically combo feed (formula & breast milk) my daughter is thriving & very healthy! I went through it too with the "Breast is best .." " Breast feed! ..." blah blah blah .I stressed too long about it ! Whatever you do momma, you are still a good mom because YOU ARE FEEDING YOUR BABY .PERIOD ! ❤️👶🏽💪🏽👌🏽

[tommyz]

The comments in this video from the many mothers are amazing. During COVID, the breast feeding Facebook mothers were buying all the formula and charging triple their value while chastising them for not breast feeding. I never been more disgusted with people in my life! Being a parent usually fills you with compassion, not judgement! As a first time new dad, the respect I have for all of you has become greater than it was previously, of which it was already very high. Except for the Karen’s who judge ANYONE for not doing as THEY see fit. May they all be cursed with never ending yeast infections (oh I went there!).

[MJ]

In my experience the " exclusive " part of the recommendations put so much pressure on me and gave me an all or nothing mentality. In practice I killed myself trying to exclusively breastfeed and pump for a stash. Then going to work and pumping until my son was 7 months old. It was mentally and emotionally draining. Whereas there were friends who had their husband's give their babies a bottle for night feedings early on, and the ended up breastfeeding longer and not being so stressed about it all.

[charellekyles]

thank you for that bit of information because I am doing both and this is my first baby.

[imperfectperfect]

I’m getting ready to give birth in less than 6 weeks and I never breastfed my 1st child because I wasn’t sure if I could produce milk or not. So hopefully I’m able to breastfeed and bottle feed my son

[Clikki]

breastfeeding is painful and exhausting. if you want to be super mom who doesn't mind peeling and raw nipples that bring tears to your eyes when you put a shirt on, more power to ya. I chose formula from day 1 and have beautiful healthy children. I suggest women listen to their gut and intuition and decide for themselves abt which method is best.
there is so much pressure to breastfeed and it leads to frustration, exhaustion, bitterness, and hormonal fits of rage, especially when you accidentally brush against something that touches your nipple...and it feels like somone took pliars and tried to twist them off. it would make anyone cranky, lol. formula is fine, breastfeeding g is fine..whatever suits you best.

[asuhnekire]

I breastfeed and dexolac premium bottle feed now my 9 days old son, is it bad for him or?

[katelynscott]

Stop stressing yourself mommas. Your doing great weather you can’t breast feed, simply choose not too or are doing both.

[OhThatsNuna]

It ain’t helping my post depression I hardly eat I was hardly eating before I had the baby .

[saimasuleman]

My son is just 50 days old and i will given Buffalo milk with mixing of water and at the same time brastfeed also can i do?

[latoya]

My babies were big at birth and until my milk came in I had to do both to keep the blood sugar levels up...

[stephaniee]

Pumping is draining and exhausting i plan to strictly breast feed at home or at night and just give 1 or 2 bottles of formula during the day so hubby can also feed her.

[tulsidesai]

I have a newborn and recently noticed increase of milk supply but breast feels really heavy and makes it difficult to fed my baby I delivered just 3 days back. So if I pump the milk and provide it to the baby as well as breast fed whenever possible is it okay.

[xEPICxNESS]

I have BPD and it would put our lives at risk if I stop my medication, but I unfortunately can’t breastfeed. I’m not pregnant but want to in the future and the guilt and shame from my family for being unable to breastfeed :(

[christinejolene]

Question, I'm breastfeeding & formula feeding but can I switch to
Powdered formula???? My son's a newborn.. he's 18 days old today

[windinea]

My baby is only just 5 weeks and I really want to breast feed her as I’m still heavily leaking but my doctor keeps telling me not to breast feed and keep her on formula that she is on due to her reflux but the anti reflux milk is making her constipated

[shanabullard]

What do you do if you have a newborn and you breastfeed for the first couple days than your milk runs out so you bottle of formula than your milk comes back 2 days later can you than breastfeeding again

[carmellepetitfrere]

I breastfed my now 8 yr old son until he was 3yrs old💙 no formula but I use to hate having to bump out breast milk. Am currently pregnant & wanted to breast feed of course but wanted to formula feed as well just in case I decide to go right back to work. My thing is do I give the baby formula right away?

[ouchie]

I have inverted nipple and my newborn has a hard time latching so i had to pump regularly every 2 to 3 hrs ... and now im giving breast milk and alternate with formula... my baby is healthy... he has g6pd as well so im doing my best to breast feed him.