Breastfeeding is the best source for a baby’s nourishment, but breastfeeding the baby may not be enough, or even possible in some cases. The newborn may have come out of the womb earlier than expected, and because of this, they cannot follow through with the right energy for breastfeeding. There are also a few instances when the mother may be low on milk supply and cannot give the baby the right amount of milk it needs. However, an excellent solution to this matter is knowing how to supplement with formula without decreasing milk supply from the mother’s breasts.
The baby needs proper nourishment, especially in the first two months of the baby’s life. If you notice that the baby is not gaining weight, chances are you may be low on milk supply. When you know how to supplement with formula, you can feed the baby properly. Not only that, but you can also give yourself a break once in a while.
If you are worried that the lack of feeding decreases your breast’s milk supply due, don’t worry. In this article, we will talk about how to supplement with formula without decreasing milk supply to your breast. But first, let’s talk about the signs when a baby might need extra milk.
Signs That The Baby Needs Extra Milk
When you start breastfeeding, you should begin monitoring your baby’s consumption right away. There are many factors to consider as to why your baby does not get the right milk supply from your breast. They may be unwell, sleepy, or unable to breastfeed because they lack energy. When the baby does not excrete waste as much as you would expect, this should give you a clue that the baby is not getting enough food.
The baby’s mouth might also not be able to suck on the mother’s nipple properly, and the baby may seem restless and unsatisfied. In often cases when this happens, the baby will never want to stop trying to suck on the nipple. It is hard to determine if the baby is getting the milk from the mother’s breast at this point. Although after feeding, when this happens, the nipple will feel sore and, at times, maybe damaged due to the baby’s uneasy sucking.
Because no milk has been extracted from the breasts, the mother will produce less milk for next time. Don’t worry, because knowing how to supplement with formula without decreasing milk supply to the mother’s breast is what we are after. Now that we know some signs that tell if the baby needs extra milk, let’s check on signs that tell if the baby is getting enough milk.
When The Baby Is Getting The Right Amount
When your baby is continuously defecating at least three times a day, this is an excellent sign that your baby is feeding correctly. Newborns at first will have an unscheduled defecating pattern and will have yellow-colored stools. In about six weeks into proper feeding, the baby will find a regular habit for defecating, which may be less often.
Another way to tell that your baby is appropriately feeding is through growth. A newborn will lose around 7% of its weight on the first week of breastfeeding, although it will gain back the lost weight the next week if feeding correctly. If the newborn is not progressing and the weight keeps dropping down, this should be a call for concern to get medical attention.
Having Your Baby On Formula
When weight loss is prevalent after the first few weeks, don’t hesitate to give your baby formula. The baby must be adequately fed to have the proper nutrition it needs for physical and mental development. Knowing how to supplement with formula without decreasing milk supply is what you need to do. There are a few ways you can do this, and it can even work to your advantage.
You can use a breast pump to pump out milk while the baby is on formula. This way, you will have breast milk available for the baby while trying to keep a regular supply of fluid to your breasts. The more you pump your breast, the more your body will react to the quantity your body demands. You can alternate between the two bottles of milk and rest your pumping during the times when you feed your baby the breast milk.
Things To Consider When Alternating Between Formula And Breastmilk
There are things to consider when you know how to alternate and supplement your baby’s food with formula without decreasing the milk supply to your breasts. Try not to get ahead of everything and mix breast milk with your formula. Because your baby might not be able to feed on the whole bottle, you will waste the breast milk, which is not that easy to pump in the first place. If your baby does not like the formula, you can add a little breast milk, just so the baby gets used to the taste at first.
The stools of your baby may look different on formula. Sometimes, the stools may appear firmer than the normal yellowish wet stool. If your baby’s stool contains spots of blood after feeding formula, then your baby may be lactose intolerant or allergic to the proteins in cow’s milk. If this happens, consult your doctor right away and ask for advice. Get more tips on baby milk.
Conclusion
The benefits of knowing how to supplement with formula without decreasing milk supply to the mother’s breast are quite a few. The first one being, your baby will receive the proper nourishment it needs, not only from breast milk nutrients but from the nutrients given by the formula. Also, the mother can take a break from time to time while feeding the baby formula. Remember to be cautious when dealing with a newborn and keep safety the number one priority before any other feeding options.