Topping baby up with formula bottle
Discussion
.. ah ok. I thought you had some randomly in the freezer 
OP, if you do start bottle feeding I can heartily recommend the Tommy Tippee Perfect Prep machine - makes bottles the recommended way in seconds (current thinking is that you need to sterilise the milk in near boiling water then cool it down..) and no, ours hasn't gone mouldy in nine months
OP, if you do start bottle feeding I can heartily recommend the Tommy Tippee Perfect Prep machine - makes bottles the recommended way in seconds (current thinking is that you need to sterilise the milk in near boiling water then cool it down..) and no, ours hasn't gone mouldy in nine months
Apparently I was a greedy wee 
when I was a baby and my mum couldn't keep up. She did just as you are suggesting and used a bottle for every second feed. I thrived on it, probably why I'm 20 stone and 6'4" 50 years on.
Same with my kids 30 years later, my wife had plenty plenty milk but needed sleep so I fed them every second feed with formula. They were both fine with that too. I thought that was a relatively normal thing to do.
when I was a baby and my mum couldn't keep up. She did just as you are suggesting and used a bottle for every second feed. I thrived on it, probably why I'm 20 stone and 6'4" 50 years on.Same with my kids 30 years later, my wife had plenty plenty milk but needed sleep so I fed them every second feed with formula. They were both fine with that too. I thought that was a relatively normal thing to do.
As others have said, do what's right for you and your baby. We've successfully combination fed our second having had a complete nightmare for the first six months with our first who we tried to exclusively breast feed but who failed to put on weight.
My wife used to dread the weigh-in and basically felt like a milking machine. It made her miserable and was a very negative experience. By combination feeding, our latest is putting on weight nicely and my wife actually has some time to do other, fun things with her rather than just constantly trying to get her to feed.
Fed is best. And if that requires formula to keep mum and baby happy and healthy, go for it.
My wife used to dread the weigh-in and basically felt like a milking machine. It made her miserable and was a very negative experience. By combination feeding, our latest is putting on weight nicely and my wife actually has some time to do other, fun things with her rather than just constantly trying to get her to feed.
Fed is best. And if that requires formula to keep mum and baby happy and healthy, go for it.
We've recently had a 4th percentile baby. He lost 10.7% of his birthweight when he came out of hospital on the first midwife visit then remained the same on the next two. He was a lazy breast feeder so we were feeding him expressed milk via a 1ml syringe. He kept falling asleep on the breast and it was tough to work out how much he was getting so we bought the Aptamil (pro futura!) 70ml bottles. Now he has a bit of a go on the breast then we whack a bottle down him. His weight is steadily going back on now (100g at the last visit). We hired a Medela double breast pump but haven't used it yet, probably won't.
In short, do whatever you want, it's your baby and you know best.
In short, do whatever you want, it's your baby and you know best.
Give it a try, it won't do any harm. We had a similar issue with our first baby, he was 9lb 8oz and would take forever to feed, fall asleep and wake up 20 mins later wanting more. We ended up sticking with breast feeding (when I say we I mean my wife) but only because we couldn't get him to take a bottle. It was pretty tough but it wasn't for very long, by the time he was 3 months old his feeding had settled down to a regular pattern. He never did take a bottle though.
Our eldest is nearly 9 now and he still eats a lot but takes an age to do it.
Our eldest is nearly 9 now and he still eats a lot but takes an age to do it.
Why does "do what's right for you" translate as "give formula" here? The op said that breastfeeding is what they feel is right for them.
Breastfeeding isn't easy, in fact I think it's one of the hardest things that exists in nature. But it's not a "pain in the tits" and actually; once it's established it's loads easier than faffing around with bottles.
Some of the posts on this thread make me understand exactly why breastfeeding rates in this country are so low and breastfeeding isn't more normalised. I'm not a "Nazi" but I think I've a right to defend something which I personally worked really hard to make work. I had a below 0.4th centile baby that was struggling to gain weight, so we found the cause of the problem (tongue tie) and worked through it rather than giving up. I think I'm allowed to be proud of that rather than feel like a Nazi?
Breastfeeding isn't easy, in fact I think it's one of the hardest things that exists in nature. But it's not a "pain in the tits" and actually; once it's established it's loads easier than faffing around with bottles.
Some of the posts on this thread make me understand exactly why breastfeeding rates in this country are so low and breastfeeding isn't more normalised. I'm not a "Nazi" but I think I've a right to defend something which I personally worked really hard to make work. I had a below 0.4th centile baby that was struggling to gain weight, so we found the cause of the problem (tongue tie) and worked through it rather than giving up. I think I'm allowed to be proud of that rather than feel like a Nazi?
The Char said:
Why does "do what's right for you" translate as "give formula" here? The op said that breastfeeding is what they feel is right for them.
Breastfeeding isn't easy, in fact I think it's one of the hardest things that exists in nature. But it's not a "pain in the tits" and actually; once it's established it's loads easier than faffing around with bottles.
Some of the posts on this thread make me understand exactly why breastfeeding rates in this country are so low and breastfeeding isn't more normalised. I'm not a "Nazi" but I think I've a right to defend something which I personally worked really hard to make work. I had a below 0.4th centile baby that was struggling to gain weight, so we found the cause of the problem (tongue tie) and worked through it rather than giving up. I think I'm allowed to be proud of that rather than feel like a Nazi?
No one is calling you a Nazi or suggesting it wasn't right for you. Well done with your baby, you sound like a great mum. Breast feeding doesn't work for everyone, despite it's many benefits and it's clear superiority to formula. Feeding a baby with formula shouldn't be stigmatised, doing so can make some new mums feel inadequate.Breastfeeding isn't easy, in fact I think it's one of the hardest things that exists in nature. But it's not a "pain in the tits" and actually; once it's established it's loads easier than faffing around with bottles.
Some of the posts on this thread make me understand exactly why breastfeeding rates in this country are so low and breastfeeding isn't more normalised. I'm not a "Nazi" but I think I've a right to defend something which I personally worked really hard to make work. I had a below 0.4th centile baby that was struggling to gain weight, so we found the cause of the problem (tongue tie) and worked through it rather than giving up. I think I'm allowed to be proud of that rather than feel like a Nazi?
SHutchinson said:
Feeding a baby with formula shouldn't be stigmatised, doing so can make some new mums feel inadequate.
Absolutely this. Char you've done a great job I'm sure and there should be no 'congratulations' either way. The way that people made my wife feel for not breastfeeding was bordering on abuse IMO. Telling a new mother that she's not doing the right thing for her child shortly after the trauma of carrying it for 9 months then actually giving birth is not cricket.All good advice from The Char above.
One thing I would add (father of a 2yo who took to the boob well after a slow start) is to make sure head position is right. My wife was so worried about his little neck being so weak that she was effectively pushing his face into the boob, almost ramming it in his face. Poor little bugger couldn't drink properly despite apparently being latched on.
After many tearful evenings I finally persuaded my wife to watch some YouTube vids on breastfeeding and basically relax, let his head flop back a bit more, let him find his own natural position. After a couple of nights like that he was guzzling it down like Ollie Reed in a Happy Hour!
We did top up with formula or expressed milk on occasion, absolutely no problem.
Ah, the daily sound of the expressing machine, how I don't miss that!!
One thing I would add (father of a 2yo who took to the boob well after a slow start) is to make sure head position is right. My wife was so worried about his little neck being so weak that she was effectively pushing his face into the boob, almost ramming it in his face. Poor little bugger couldn't drink properly despite apparently being latched on.
After many tearful evenings I finally persuaded my wife to watch some YouTube vids on breastfeeding and basically relax, let his head flop back a bit more, let him find his own natural position. After a couple of nights like that he was guzzling it down like Ollie Reed in a Happy Hour!
We did top up with formula or expressed milk on occasion, absolutely no problem.
Ah, the daily sound of the expressing machine, how I don't miss that!!
Edited by PurpleTurtle on Wednesday 28th June 09:51
The Char said:
Some of the posts on this thread make me understand exactly why breastfeeding rates in this country are so low and breastfeeding isn't more normalised. I'm not a "Nazi" but I think I've a right to defend something which I personally worked really hard to make work. I had a below 0.4th centile baby that was struggling to gain weight, so we found the cause of the problem (tongue tie) and worked through it rather than giving up. I think I'm allowed to be proud of that rather than feel like a Nazi?
No-one is calling you anything. The "breastfeeding Nazis" are the medical "professionals" stigmatising formula use and pressuring mums to use breast alone. It doesn't always work
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-4488626/...
And try telling these idiots that it worked with the first baby but isn't working for the second. Inconceivable! Persevere!
Fed is best. Do what works for you.
Butter Face said:
Ahhh this brings back memories.
The first night that we got our daughter home (it was a Saturday) she wouldn't feed, just wouldn't latch on at all.
My wife was tired (understandably) and was getting upset (also understandably) as she really wanted to breastfeed as everyone said how great it was, midwife etc saying it's the best way.
Luckily we had planned ahead and frozen some breast milk. Defrosted that and fed baby. All happy and back to bed.
Until about 2am, baby awake, wants feeding, no more frozens stuff, not latching on, so I said 'bugger this, I'm going to get some formula'
Except I wasn't as it was 2am on a Sunday morning.
Frantic calling of all of the 24hr petrol stations within 30 miles and I found one open with formula, so off we all went to fetch it. Topped the Mrs up with a banana milkshake and some McNuggets on the way.
From the day we fed formula and never looked back. Breastfeeding is a pain in theass tits.
You gave up after one night? Minimal effort put in there then. The first night that we got our daughter home (it was a Saturday) she wouldn't feed, just wouldn't latch on at all.
My wife was tired (understandably) and was getting upset (also understandably) as she really wanted to breastfeed as everyone said how great it was, midwife etc saying it's the best way.
Luckily we had planned ahead and frozen some breast milk. Defrosted that and fed baby. All happy and back to bed.
Until about 2am, baby awake, wants feeding, no more frozens stuff, not latching on, so I said 'bugger this, I'm going to get some formula'
Except I wasn't as it was 2am on a Sunday morning.
Frantic calling of all of the 24hr petrol stations within 30 miles and I found one open with formula, so off we all went to fetch it. Topped the Mrs up with a banana milkshake and some McNuggets on the way.
From the day we fed formula and never looked back. Breastfeeding is a pain in the
Douglas Quaid said:
Butter Face said:
Ahhh this brings back memories.
The first night that we got our daughter home (it was a Saturday) she wouldn't feed, just wouldn't latch on at all.
My wife was tired (understandably) and was getting upset (also understandably) as she really wanted to breastfeed as everyone said how great it was, midwife etc saying it's the best way.
Luckily we had planned ahead and frozen some breast milk. Defrosted that and fed baby. All happy and back to bed.
Until about 2am, baby awake, wants feeding, no more frozens stuff, not latching on, so I said 'bugger this, I'm going to get some formula'
Except I wasn't as it was 2am on a Sunday morning.
Frantic calling of all of the 24hr petrol stations within 30 miles and I found one open with formula, so off we all went to fetch it. Topped the Mrs up with a banana milkshake and some McNuggets on the way.
From the day we fed formula and never looked back. Breastfeeding is a pain in theass tits.
You gave up after one night? Minimal effort put in there then. The first night that we got our daughter home (it was a Saturday) she wouldn't feed, just wouldn't latch on at all.
My wife was tired (understandably) and was getting upset (also understandably) as she really wanted to breastfeed as everyone said how great it was, midwife etc saying it's the best way.
Luckily we had planned ahead and frozen some breast milk. Defrosted that and fed baby. All happy and back to bed.
Until about 2am, baby awake, wants feeding, no more frozens stuff, not latching on, so I said 'bugger this, I'm going to get some formula'
Except I wasn't as it was 2am on a Sunday morning.
Frantic calling of all of the 24hr petrol stations within 30 miles and I found one open with formula, so off we all went to fetch it. Topped the Mrs up with a banana milkshake and some McNuggets on the way.
From the day we fed formula and never looked back. Breastfeeding is a pain in the
And again, does it matter, comments like that are why there's a stigma about not breastfeeding, as if trying a small amount or not trying at all is a failure and makes people bad parents
essayer said:
.. ah ok. I thought you had some randomly in the freezer
OP, if you do start bottle feeding I can heartily recommend the Tommy Tippee Perfect Prep machine - makes bottles the recommended way in seconds (current thinking is that you need to sterilise the milk in near boiling water then cool it down..) and no, ours hasn't gone mouldy in nine months
I would say don't get one of these machines - ours was mouldy and we feel our daughter has been affected by it. OP, if you do start bottle feeding I can heartily recommend the Tommy Tippee Perfect Prep machine - makes bottles the recommended way in seconds (current thinking is that you need to sterilise the milk in near boiling water then cool it down..) and no, ours hasn't gone mouldy in nine months
My little boy was born early, so was in the neonatal until for a few weeks. This made it difficult to establish breastfeeding as my wife wasn't able to stay with him. He kept losing weight, even though the nurses were topping him up with formula, via tube into his stomach. There was a lot of breastfeeding support available and they kept pushing it. However it was only once the cycle of trying to breastfeed, then expressing had broken my wife that she gave up and switch to formula in a bottle. At that point the nurses were able to say that they thought it was the right decision, even though my son had lost a lot of weight. After two days of formula he was putting on weight and came home. At four months he was heavier than I was at four months, despite being born early. I wish the nurses had been able to suggest switching to formula sooner.
FWIW We got the perfect prep machine they day after he got out of hospital, as mixing up the powdered formula was so time consuming. We did keep an eye on ours for mould, but didn't see any or have any problems with it. We used filtered water in ours, mostly because we jug of filtered water was next to the machine and was the easiest thing to top it up with.
FWIW We got the perfect prep machine they day after he got out of hospital, as mixing up the powdered formula was so time consuming. We did keep an eye on ours for mould, but didn't see any or have any problems with it. We used filtered water in ours, mostly because we jug of filtered water was next to the machine and was the easiest thing to top it up with.
The NHS breastfeeding support (certainly in my experience- Coventry) isn't great. They're encouraging but not expert. Seeing a private specialist was a whole different ball game and she instantly knew what to suggest to improve the feeding.
I would go straight to a specialist in future if we had problems again. But most people can't afford that or are already broken by then.
I would go straight to a specialist in future if we had problems again. But most people can't afford that or are already broken by then.
grumbledoak said:
The Char said:
Some of the posts on this thread make me understand exactly why breastfeeding rates in this country are so low and breastfeeding isn't more normalised. I'm not a "Nazi" but I think I've a right to defend something which I personally worked really hard to make work. I had a below 0.4th centile baby that was struggling to gain weight, so we found the cause of the problem (tongue tie) and worked through it rather than giving up. I think I'm allowed to be proud of that rather than feel like a Nazi?
No-one is calling you anything. The "breastfeeding Nazis" are the medical "professionals" stigmatising formula use and pressuring mums to use breast alone. It doesn't always work
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-4488626/...
And try telling these idiots that it worked with the first baby but isn't working for the second. Inconceivable! Persevere!
Fed is best. Do what works for you.
We basically starved our first for 10 days because of the pressure to breast feed from the medical 'professionals'. He lost nearly two pounds and when I look back at the photos it's clear that his skin is shrivelled and he was massively dehydrated - it actually makes me want to cry!
It makes me f
king angry the way they try and push the breast feeding even when it's obvious it isn't working. The telling part for us was when he was readmitted to hospital and the nurse in the children's ward said "oh right, another breast fed baby - they'll never learn". It was made clear that this is very common.I could go on for hours about medical care in this country but it's either absolutely fantastic or unbelievably, disgracefully s
te - we've not experienced any middle ground!Do what's easiest, do they still sell that heavier"hungry baby" formula? Get that, its like porridge oats and will knock the little st bag out for hours. Getting through the first 6 months with your marbles is what it should be all about, the guilt tripping on women who can't or won't breastfeed is out of all proportion.
Just be aware you'll need some infacol, babies love it don't panic it won't do them any harm, because they will get gripey and colicy on the bottle compared to the breast.
2 of our 3 were bottle fed after my missus near drove herself mad with the first one, guess what they're all perfectly normal little kids now... No harm done what so ever.
t bag out for hours. Getting through the first 6 months with your marbles is what it should be all about, the guilt tripping on women who can't or won't breastfeed is out of all proportion.Just be aware you'll need some infacol, babies love it don't panic it won't do them any harm, because they will get gripey and colicy on the bottle compared to the breast.
2 of our 3 were bottle fed after my missus near drove herself mad with the first one, guess what they're all perfectly normal little kids now... No harm done what so ever.
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