[Submitted Question]

Can I bottle feed and breast feed throughout the day?

[WombToBloom]

Some moms choose to bottle feed and breast feed together. It actually is not a good idea to do so. Bottle feeding and breastfeeding involve very different kinds of sucking methods and bottle feeding is much easier. Choosing to bottle feed and breast feed can lead to nipple confusion, where the baby gets confused as to which way to suck and loses the ability to suck on the breast, reducing milk production and increasing bottle feeding.

The milk can easily dry up if there is no frequent breast feeding, leaving the baby frustrated and hungry after a breast feeding episode. Your milk only stays at a good volume if there is consistent breast feeding. Eventually, the bottle feeding increases because it is easier and preferred by the baby and the breast feeding decreases because it is harder for the baby to suck that way. Your dreams of breastfeeding your child will disappear if you try to mix bottle and breastfeeding.

[Love In Bloom]

Originally Posted by WombToBloom

Can I bottle feed and breast feed throughout the day?

As a Lactation Counselor, my advice is to pump when you can and store the breast milk for later use. Lactation is based on supply and demand. If you cut down the number of feedings ( demand) during the day, your milk supply will drop to meet your infant's reduced requirements. This becomes a downward spiral until you finally do not have enough milk for your growing infant.

[JFletcher]

I do both. I've never had a problem with production, though.

Some women just have a huge supply. Some don't. Right now I feed my son a bottle during the day and nurse at night. But, there's still enough breastmilk to pop him on whenever he wants during the day.

This really isn't a question that can be answered with a cut and dried yes or no. As in all things Mommyish, do what you feel is right for you and your baby.

[Catmuse33]

Great answer, JFletcher. What I was going to say is it CAN -- and has -- been done. The problem w/ supplementing w/ formula for prolonged periods is there's really no going back, because your supply will drop.

Nipple confusion, to my understanding, isn't an issue after 5 or 6 weeks. For some babies, it's not an issue at all.
The problem I had when trying to supplement (I had issues pumping) is my daughter doens't like the taste of formula.
Now, at 7 mos, she drinks water out of a sippie cup no problem.but formula? Ick.
Dawn

[saimalexander]

its very informative post for me ... thanks for sharing all