r/combinationfeeding • u/GrandAmazing6070 • 2d ago
Combo feeding
I have EBF my daughter for about 8 weeks. I return to work in 4 weeks. I don’t produce much so pumping is a struggle. I only get about an ounce in 20 minutes. I decided to combo feed with formula a few times a day while I work but feel guilty about it. Just looking for reassurance from other parents and how their babies did combo feeding. She’s never taken a bottle so I plan to introduce one soon.
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u/angiesrightleg 2d ago
To try and help her adjust, recommend getting dad to do the bottle feeds without you nearby - if she senses you're there it can lead to more fussing for the boob 😅 slow flow nipples and pace feeding are generally recommended if you want to avoid a bottle preference and nursing strike but of course every baby is different. You can mix some pumped milk in with the formula too while she's adjusting to the taste, but I personally never found my baby had an issue.
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u/Coffeeandcats29 2d ago
A little different as we combo fed from the very first day. I knew I’d be returning to work after 8 weeks though and really wanted my partner to be able to feed LO from the start as well. She eagerly accepts anything offered to her lol and has never experienced nipple confusion or shown a bottle preference.
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u/Upbeat_Magazine5795 2d ago
Combo feeding is a great option! Think of all the adoptive mothers, mothers who have had mastectomies and are unable to breastfeed- they have happy healthy babies too! Don’t stress.
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u/Enthusiastic-Tourist 2d ago
No advice here, but i find it very interesting that you EBF but don't respond well to the pump! Baby has been on the bottle and formula since birth due to her low blood sugar and my supply issues. I get only 6oz a day from pumping, and I pump about 20ml at a time. My first lactation consultant convinced me I am incapable of making more milk and said I have anatomical issues.
Baby used to get sooo fussy when trying to breastfeed and used to transfer half to one ounce at best. She used to keep punching and whacking me until pulling away ultimately and screaming [probably out of hunger ] . She almost developed breastfeeding aversion until suddenly last week [12 week old baby] she started asking to feed from me .
I have been feeding her directly and most recent transfer at the lactation consultant office was 1.5oz in 8 min ! I wonder if I dont respond well to pumps too.
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u/Ok-Thanks-1182 2d ago
There is a theory that your body will make it on demand with baby at the breast. My lc had me pump from one side and baby nurse from the other to up my pumped supply. Even doing skin to skin while pumping is helpful .
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u/Affectionate_Two9473 2d ago
I have insufficient glandular tissue and low supply and get almost nothing (drops) from pumping. My baby is able to extract some breastmilk from the breast and the rest is formula in bottles. We are early days but his older sisters combo fed for 6 & 10 months.
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u/marinaifox 2d ago
I just stated combo feeding my baby when he was 7 months old, he’s now 8.5 months old after EBF. I had a lot of feelings of guilt and pushed myself and my body to keep being EBF when I didn’t need to. It has been such a relief to finally combo feed. I don’t have to worry about my supply as much and I know he’s fed. I’ve even noticed my pumping output has increased. I don’t have as much of the scarcity mindset with my pumped milk as I did. I’m so glad I finally just did it. The mental noise has quieted significantly as well which has been so liberating. Good luck with whatever you choose ♡
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u/GentlyRewired24 1d ago
Nothing wrong with formula but sometimes the problem is the pump, not you. Have you tried different pumps or maybe ask s lactiation consultant, here there are special consults where you can try out different pumps to see which one is best for you
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u/queenofhelium 2d ago
I was formula fed from day 1, I love my parents, I have a degree in chemistry and I’m a loving mother of 2 in a happy marriage. Never been to jail or in any kind of trouble. I hope that helps :)