Need advice on introducing formula

jessicah628

DS will be 6 months old this week, which means I've made it to my goal of EBF for 6 months. I'm going to continue BFing for the foreseeable future, but I would like to start supplementing with formula so I can cut out one pumping session at work -- plus my supply is all of a sudden decreasing.

So, how do I do that? Do I try giving it to him by itself and see how he does? Do I need to mix it with BM? Do I give him the same number of ounces he's getting in his BM bottles at daycare?

Also, any suggestions on where to start with brands? Powder vs pre-mixed?

I'm clueless here, so any advice is appreciated. Please don't make me go to TB. TIA! 

larrysdarling

I did this at around 10-11 months when my pumping output took a nosedive.

i bought target brand powder. RTF is very expensive and you trash it if you don't use the whole container.

I didn't mix it with bm, just with water exactly how the instructions on the container say to do. Don't dilute or concentrate the formula, it's not good for his body.

 Also, he's used to bm so have patience if he rejects it at first. It's a very different taste and they typically like bm better if that's what they're used to.

 I would introduce it maybe 1 bottle a day at maybe 2-3 oz at a time. That will minimize waste if he doesn't like it.

 Also, it's very different from bm in its microbial properties- bacteria proliferated quickly in formula. Toss what he doesn't eat, don't let it sit out, etc. Warm water will help mix it best, hot water will clump it and can burn, don't microwave blah blah blah.

hth! 

jessicah628

That does help, thank you!

meldot

ditto on Target powdered-it's literally 1/2 the price of enfamil. We had to supplement for a bit right away, I pumped exclusively for 6 months-ish and then switched to formula. We didn't mix it with breastmilk, because he didn't care what he "drank" but that's not the norm.

Also, for when you're out and about, they sell "single serving" of name brand formula OR you can just pour the formula in the bottle (unmixed) and add water when you need it. It sounds so obvious but it was a revelation when I started doing that.

 

 

jessicah628

Another possibly dumb question -- do you worry about what kind of water you mix with? I know BRU sells purified water or something along those lines. We have a whole-house water filter at home, so I assume that's fine? What about when you're out, if you go the route of putting powder in the bottle and then adding water later (great tip, btw)?

meldot

The special water they sell always seemed silly to me. We used water from our Brita at home or bottled water when out.

Also, people may give me the side eye about the formula in the bottle when you're out, because technically it screws up the ratio-you're supposed to add your water first and then your powder to get the right mixture, so if I had put enough powder in the bottle for say, 4 ounces, I added enough water to bring it just above 4 ounces. Not sure if that makes sense.

HeatherWain

meldot:

The special water they sell always seemed silly to me. We used water from our Brita at home or bottled water when out.

Also, people may give me the side eye about the formula in the bottle when you're out, because technically it screws up the ratio-you're supposed to add your water first and then your powder to get the right mixture, so if I had put enough powder in the bottle for say, 4 ounces, I added enough water to bring it just above 4 ounces. Not sure if that makes sense.

True dat. Always put the water in first and then the powder. They sell formula containers that are sectioned out where you just measure out what you need. I always filled the bottles with water and then kept the formula in the formula container.  

This is what I'm talking about. http://www.overstock.com/Baby/Munchkin-Formula-Dispenser/5947625/product.html?cid=202290&kid=9553000357392&track=pspla&kw={keyword}&adtype=pla 

Temp422773312507524

Ditto the Target formula.  So much cheaper.  I can't really help much with the transition, Emma was supplemented from the beginning and formula only by about 7 weeks.  We did use purified water (mostly).  I think they said not to use bottled spring water...but whatevah.  We bought gallons of purified water at target for like 80 cents a gallon. 

When we were out we did often put the formula in the bottle first and add water.  After awhile you know how high it looks in the bottle after you add say 4 ozs of water and 2 scoops.  She survived.   We did only formula so we would make pitchers of formula.  It keeps in the fridge for 24 hours, so we made enough for the day every morning.  But if you aren't using a lot you may just want to mix per bottle. 

Good luck!

larrysdarling

Also, I forgot to congratulate you on making it six months. That's really wonderful for both you and your son. 

jessicah628

larrysdarling:

Also, I forgot to congratulate you on making it six months. That's really wonderful for both you and your son. 

Thanks, LD!

Also, an update...DH gave him a bottle of formula last night, and it went really well. He made a face for a second, and then sucked down 4 oz. Definitely takes some stress off of me, even though I have mixed feelings about it. 

iristony

I was an exclusive pumper and at 6 months my freezer stash ran out and I had to start supplementing w formula because i was not pumping enough.  I did some bottles half formula half BM and others pure BM for the first week.  I then just did 100% one way or the other.  Way to go on making it 6 mo.