Could I breast feed and use formula milk to feed my baby from birth or is this not a gud idea. I really want to try breast feeding and feel that if i use formula as well it will ease the pressure on me and babs to get it rite, as I think I may have probs doing it.

I was thinking maybe i cud use formula in the day and use breast milk for nite feeds and c how i get on.

Wot does everyone suggest, has anyone tried it, think its a gud or bad idea, advice please!!

Debs 22 week pink bump xxxxxxxxxx

there is no reason why you can not..every baby is different and may be better for your baby and you if you two are not under pressure..it all depends on the baby i think.

In my opinion I would definitely stick with one or the other.You can do both but it just confuses baby. I initially breast fed but because Finlay was such a hungry baby and would constantly want feeding (to the point of every half hour) i would top him up with formula in order for me to get some rest.This just confused him i think and my milk began to dry up as he was not on as much. In the end after three long weeks, i admitted defeat and went onto formula for good! After having done this, for my next one i am definitely going with one or the other not both as i think it confuses them.

i would advise if you are going to try both, breast feed as often as possible and only top up with formula when necessary...if you do as you plan, your milk may dry up and when you think if baby is used to formula during the day, breast feeding her maybe hard during the night which is when you will be wanting your sleep.If you want to bottle feed you could always express some for the night or make up a formula bottle and then that way, you and your oh can take turns getting up with her.

take care hope this helps

haylez and 6month old Finlay xx

if you combine then your body will never produce enough, better to buy pump and bottles to combine bottle and breast but i wouldnt introduce formula if u can help it, tends to be the end of b feeding. It can be hard at first but make sure feeding is relaxed and private and you will be ok. contact your local b feeding clinic or la leche or national childbirth trust or midwife / healthvisitor... loads of people to help u if u have probs

good luck ! xxxxxxxx

I combine feed but for the first 4 weeks I exclusively breastfed. I think you'll need to start off with just breastfeeding as you need your milk to come in properly and it won't if you're giving a bottle as well. There is also the risk of the baby getting confused - they call it nipple/teat confusion. Feeding from a bottle is easier for the baby - the breast is harder work.

I'd advise just breastfeeding for the first few weeks at least - if you find it's too difficult and baby isn't putting on weight(It can be very hard and sore in the first few weeks) then you can think about formula. Get lots of help immediately after birth from midwives in getting baby latched on properly and it might just go great for you and you won't need formula. The only reason I combine feed is because Ketti wasn't getting enough as we got off to a bad start as she had severe jaundice and my milk didn't come in properly. I'm really glad I perservered though cos at least she is getting the goodness of partial breastfeeding.

Good luck - breastfeeding gives you a special bond with your baby and is a great comfort for them when nothing else is calming them down.
Cherry and Ketti x

buy in the bottles but if you want to breastfeed give it a go first it is hard for the first few weeks but well worth it if you can in the end i had no choice but to bottle feed mine as i dont produce enough milk but my HV said at around 4 weeks that i could try combined feeding as baby should be used to the bottle and shouldn;t get too confused between the two but i don;t know of anyone doing it straight from birth, what i have done with my last one * and little man who will be here tomorrow eek* is breastfeed for the first 2-3 days as you give them the chlostrum which is the best bit then gone onto bottles, also if you ask your midwife there will be breastfeeding groups in and around your area that give you help and advise and also can advise you on breastpumps etc , you never know you could be one of those mums who just do well with it, take care xxx

...I think someone asked this at my parentcraft class. I'm not a mom yet (give it a couple of weeks) but the midwife said that if you do this your own milk starts to get less and less as your not using it all the time. Also it can be confusing for the baby, one minute on a boob and the next on a bottle, especially if you are trying to feed formula out of a bottle when he/she is right next to your boob and can smell the real stuff close by!

See what the other moms out there say

Jen x xx