is it ok to breast feed and formula feed? my daughter just never seems happy with just breast milk so when i feel like that is all that i am doing to get a little break and take care of other child and give a bottle or two of formula. Oh and what is the difference between powder formula and liquid formula other then the obvious price diff. thank you

I had some health problems and went back into the hospital after my baby came home..he had to have formula while I was gone...the following week we went to his doctor and he had lost too much weight...this was after I had to breastfeed alone. The pediatrician told us to supplement after each session of breastfeeding so that he would be satisfied. I don't think there is anything wrong with doing both...I have to, and it has made our baby much more content. The only thing is that he does spit up more with the formula..babies can digest the breast milk better. Good Luck with whatever you choose to do...congrats on the baby!

you could very well hurt your breastmilk supply....be extremely careful about this!

starting formula is the downward spiral of your breastfeeding relationship

and formula could also upset her tummy when her system is accustomed to receiving the perfect food

please rethink this decision if you cherish your relationship with your daughter ....breastfeeding wise

I have heard of people doing both. I dont think it will hurt the child. Breast milk is better because if offers the nutrients naturally that the baby will need. The powder has to be measured with the water. The liquid is easier to use because you just pour the amount that you need into the bottle and it is ready to go. I found that the liquid makes the formula thicker than the powder. The powder is easier to use on the go since it comes in a can with a lid.

The more formula you give her, the less she will breastfeed. Nurse her more, you'll make more milk, and she'll be more satisfied.

Yes, it is ok to do both... though best to wait until nursing is well established...like after the first 4-6 weeks...

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/weaning/weaning-partial.html
this site is awesome for breastfeeding... this is the page on doing both breast and formula feeding.

I have problems breastfeeding my baby..i couldnt produce enough milk for her..and i was even pumping and drinking lots of water and still i didnt produce enough. So we supplement with formula while I still breastfed her..she was getting some milk from me but not enough to satisfy her..so we use formula also. She took both very very well.

It is OK to combine the two, but there are some things that need to be taken into consideration about it ---

When you supplement with formula, the baby is getting something (obviously) from an outside source. This means that for this feeding, your breasts are not being stimulated by his mouth to produce more milk. If its an occasional (being once a week or something) feeding, I wouldn't worry about it (though over the course of a week, you could probably pump enough milk to feed in a bottle anyway). But if you're doing it frequently, I would advise caution because you could be risking yourself of lowering your milk supply.

It can be a bad cycle to get into, because the more you rely on outside sources of nutrition (be it formula or solids), the more your milk supply will decrease, and subsequently, the more you will have to continue relying on formula/solids.

I would say first and foremost- try to trust your body. If your baby is growing, and thriving, and wetting and pooping the proper number of diapers on exclusive breastmilk, let it be. Most (most as in 98%, not most as in 60%) mothers really do have enough milk. But when you bring in outside nutrition, it means baby's not on the breast telling your glands to make more!

That's what we were told to do. I breastfeed for 10-30 minutes and my husband feeds her 2-3 ounces, that's 2 ounces of formula and around an ounce of pre-pumped breastmilk. While he feeds her, I pump. I can always tell how much she eats because I know how much, as of each week, I produce.

Having formula involved really has helped us--our daughter is 2 weeks and waking up only once a night, if that. Powder is cheaper, and I highly suggest using a soy-based formula, just in case.

People talk about nipple confusion, but honestly if she's latching on well then you have nothing to worry about. Our daughter's been on both breast and bottle since 3 days, and she's never had any problem. When you're hungry, you're hungry. End of story.

Also, liquid formula doesn't last as long. I may not be recalling correctly, but concentrated liquid formula lasts around 48 hours and powder lasts around a month.