starting to supplement with formula

i'd like to start supplementing ds's bottles of breast milk withsome formula

i was going to wait until ds's ped apt next week to see what formula they rec, but i dont think i can wait now since ds is almost up to 4oz per bottle & im def not pumping enough for full bottles -- im so afraid i will run out of breast milk & not know what to do

so my question is -- i have a lot of similac advance, complete nutrition formula from the hospital... i know nothing about formula... is this kind ok? im assuming so since it came from the hospital & i know they had given some to ds while he was in the nicu

also -- i should start by mixing some in with my breast milk at his next bottle, right?

TIA

Re: starting to supplement with formula

Start with what you have in the house. There's no reason why it wouldn't agree with your DS. If you're still unsure, call your ped and discuss even though you have an appt next week.

As for mixing, I have no idea.

Good luck!!!

Re: starting to supplement with formula

The thing you have to be careful about formula is that its much harder to digest than BM, in general. It might have no ill effect, but you'll just have to try and see.

My ped actually recommend only giving formula at night, so that the baby sleeps and isn't up fussing all day with digesting formula. He also said the baby would sleep longer on formula, DS slept twice as long on formula than BM.

You can try it, but through trial and error what I found is, Ready To Feed liquid formula, is "less gassy" than the powder. Gentle, broken down formulas also where a little easier for DS (like Gentleease, Goodstart Gentle, etc). Babies are usually not very fussy till they hit the 2 week mark, and its peaks at around 8w.

Also once you mix BM with formula, its only good for 2 hours in room temp. And only good 1 hour after baby touches it. So if baby doesn't finish it you loose whats in the bottle. But mixing it will be easier for you LO to adjust to.

Also, hospitals give what they get for free. Formula in general is pretty much the same for most babies. Some babies might have certain dietary needs though.

Re: starting to supplement with formula

When I started supplementing my ped recommended Similac Sensitive because the protiens were partly broken down and would be easier for her to digest. DD has had no problems with the Sensitive, and I am still giving her both formula and breast milk.

Oh, I didn't mix them together. I just gave her a formula bottle and she was fine. But I have heard it done both ways.

Good luck!

Message edited 11/4/2010 10:34:58 AM.

Re: starting to supplement with formula

When I supplemented I never mixed. I would just give a whole bottle of formula and save the breastmilk from that time for the next feeding or freezer (if not needed that day).

Re: starting to supplement with formula

I use whatever brand I have on hand, no ill effects. I don't mix because of what a PP said, I don't want to toss BM out because of formula's short shelf life.

Re: starting to supplement with formula

thanks ladies... im just nervous about going straight to formula bc ds isnt used to it... hes been getting just breast milk for a month now

maybe i will start out with mixing a half ounce in with my breast milk & see how ds digests that

ugg i just dont know -- im so frustrated

Re: starting to supplement with formula

As a ped dietitian I recommend enfamil or good start brands. I prefer enfamil newborn (b/c it has the extra vit. D that is now required by aap). Similac is the only brand that does not meet the recommendation for DHA (recommendation is .2% and above) Enfamil and Good Start have .32% as well as store brands. Similac is the only brand with .15%.

I find that gentlease works best for breastfed babies also.

HTH!