Introducing Formula

[helenfitzmary]

I have been breastfeeding my son (9 weeks). He does take a bottle of expressed milk well also. However, I will be going back to work soon and we will need to be able to give him a bottle or 2 of formula each day (I don't seem to be able to pump all that he needs). What are your suggestions on introducing formula? What kind? What type of water (filtered, bottled, straight from tap)? Is it ok to BF and have a bottle or 2 of formula a day (if necessary)?

Thanks

[eniese]

ANY breastfeeding is better than none, so it's absolutely ok to do both if you need to. We use tap water, but you should probably check with the ped in your area to make sure that's ok. You may need to try different brands of formula to see which one your son likes more and how they agree with his digestive system. If he balks at the formula at first, try mixing some into a bottle of breastmilk.

Once he's in daycare, make sure they give him the breastmilk first and then formula if he's still hungry. If they mix the two together, they may end up pitching some of your hard earned milk if he doesn't finish the bottle. Also, you may find that you can pump more as your body gets used to it, so the formula may be a short term thing.

[MommaC]

Tap water is usually preferred because it's fluoridated. Our daughter transitioned very easily to Enfamil Lipil with Iron. If he rejects the formula, try a gradual transition...1oz formula + 3 oz breastmilk...then a few days later 2 oz formula + 2 oz breastmilk...then a few days later...you get the idea. If he bucks it, then be even more sneaky and try just 1/2oz in with the breastmilk until he does okay with it, then sneak more in. And it's definitely okay to do some breastfeeding and some bottle-feeding as longs as it's working for you and Baby. :) Good luck!

[mommyluv]

hi, i'm new to this site and i am finding it so helpfull bcuz i can see that im not the only one with some concerns on bf and btlf for working moms.. i go back to work soon as well, my 3 month old baby is or shld i say was having a hard time getting used to having a bottle w/ formula. i tried pumping but i was not pruducing enough milk. what im doing is, in the day time im giving her a bottle (during the hours that i will be at work so she can get used to those bottle feeding hrs) and breastfeeding her from the time i am supposed to be home from work, till the next morning feeding before i go bk to work. (i hope im making sense). it was not easy getting her use to the bottle but i was glad when she finally started taking it. im going to keep breastfeeding her for as long as i can.