Mixing Formula with Breastmilk. - Missoula,MT

With our son, we had no choice but to start mixing. He had a VORACIOUS appetite and refused to take the breast because I became pregnant again when he was 3 months old (apparently he hated the new hormones). In the meantime, I had to pump to increase my milk supply (which took about a week). We ended up mixing the 2oz water/1 scoop formula mix (standard) then we'd add one ounce to his bottle. This introduced him to the formula. Which he hated plain, but didn't mind when we mixed it. We'd do 4 ounces breastmilk with one ounce formula. Once my milk supply grew, we'd do 6 ounces breastmilk to two ounces formula. Good luck. It's all about balance. I recommend Earth's Best Organic formula or Parent's Choice organic (from Wal Mart). My son hated everything under the sun except these two kinds. Hope you find your balance!

Mix the formula as it says on the box, don't make it too concentrated or dilute. I would think that if he would take 1/2 breast milk and 1/2 formula that would be great.

When I went back to work, my milk supplied dropped off, so unless you are doing something to increase your milk supply, you won't get caught up.

I highly recommend power pumping. Pick a 1 hour tv show at night, and pump only during the commercials. This simmulates and growth spurt for the baby, and your body reacts by producing more milk. This is the most natural way to increase your milk supply.

I mixed my breastmilk and formula for both of my kids. I would typically start with 2 oz of breast milk and then 4 oz of formula and I would make the formula just like a 4 oz bottle - 4 oz of water and 2 scoops of formula. Then I gradually increased it when my breastmilk supply got less. Good luck!

I do the same when I travel and have to leave. Half and half by just following directions on formula can.

Hi there!
I did the 1/2 milk and 1/2 formula. My son would not eat the regular formula, so we asked our doctor had were told to try the Soy formula instead. It seemed to work!
Good luck!

Hi there. I could never make enough milk myself, so I pumped and we always mixed with formula. Just make the formula per the directions, and mix in with the milk a little more as time goes so your baby gets used to it. I made the formula up 32 ounces at a time and kept it in the fridge separate from the breast milk - mixed it together just before feeding.
Whatever you do, don't feel guilty and don't let anyone else make you feel guilty for giving formula. We all have to do what we can to get by. You've done the very best for your baby already by breast feeding as much as you have.
Your baby will be happy, healthy and well-nurished.
Both my boys loved Nestley Good Start. Good luck.
J.
Married with 2 year old and 1 year old - 1/2 breast milk and 1/2 formula fed boys :0)

i agree,, make the formula per instructions only. not diluted or concentrated.
but if you do mix up a big batch and keep it in the frig, you may want to double check on how long to keep it in there for. if i remember right and maybe this has changed in the past three years, but i believe it only keeps its potency/vitamins etc for a period of time. i can't recall what that period of time is though. then again maybe i'm thinking of something else.. but i'm pretty sure it's formula..
so double check that before making a big batch.

we did the half and half as well. so they could get the taste difference and adjust. i was only able to breast feed my first for 6 weeks but had some in the freezer and my daughter only got 6 weeks of pumped and never got the chance to breast feed since she was 12 weeks early and by the time they started to introduce her to a nipple/bottle i had just stopped pumping exclusively. so you do what you feel is right for your child and you:-)