https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:19:34 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-feed-combination-feed-supplement#post-1130981 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 03:43:30 +0000 loveisstrange 1130981@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsStormy: There are a lot of us around here who did or do FF and we're all here for you. Its a tough road and there is so much less information and support for us.</p> <p>I agree with @char54: in that I did feel guilt for a long time about it, along with anger and bitterness, but I think those emotions are heightened by how stressful and emotional the first year is anyway. I do agree that I felt angry and guilty because society and the culture of parenting told me I should be angry and feel guilty. The breastfeeding culture has helped BFing moms, but it has completely alienated FF moms. :( I honestly do look back and know that I did what was BEST, for me and for my LO and my family.</p> <p>Just own whatever choice you make and go for it with your whole heart, whether that be BFing, half/half or all formula. Your LO will be just as strong, healthy and smart, no matter how you feed. Don't let anyone tell you different.</p> <p>Im another one that would absolutely recommend Fearless Formula Feeder. It's an amazing website and a great help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-feed-combination-feed-supplement#post-1130711 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 21:46:19 +0000 Pepper 1130711@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsStormy: Absolutely no nipple confusion. My kid will drink formula or breastmilk from a bottle without any issue (he also doesn't care if it's warm or cold - he just likes to eat!) and switches back to breastfeeding without confusion. We have some latch issues, so I use a nipple shield... the latch issues were there before I bottle fed, however. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-feed-combination-feed-supplement#post-1130214 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 19:38:54 +0000 wheres_c 1130214@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO was fed formula in the hospital as I was recovering from my emergency c section and wasnt in good shape.<br /> We managed to go about a month on just breast milk once we left the hospital but I wasnt producing enough. At 3 months we switched to exclusivly formula.<br /> We are so much happier now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-feed-combination-feed-supplement#post-1130104 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 19:09:09 +0000 photojane 1130104@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just wanted to chime in and add that I also loved FFF when I first made the decision to FF. I felt a lot of unnecessary guilt, and it helped a lot. Thanks @char54:! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-feed-combination-feed-supplement#post-1130065 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 18:56:40 +0000 Charm54 1130065@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsStormy: I felt guilt at first for giving formula but then realized I was feeling guilty because society told me I *should* be feeling guilty. </p> <p>So then I felt guilty for not feeling guilty, lol. </p> <p>Let me know what you think of FFF. I literally cried tears of relief the first time I read it. I'm glad that we are in the same due date group, keep me posted as to how it goes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-feed-combination-feed-supplement#post-1130028 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 18:45:46 +0000 MrsStormy 1130028@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you so much ladies! It really does help to see moms who are okay with the decision to give formula in some way. Everyone speaks of having regret after quitting and there is just so much guilt/fear mongering that is put out there about not breastfeeding. It has gotten so bad that I get anxiety anytime I know we are getting near feeding time.... I'm trying to stick it out, but seeing other people who are happy with there choice gives me some peace. </p> <p>@Pepper: Did you guys have any issues with her taking a bottle and the breast? Nipple confusion, or latch issues? </p> <p>@char54: Checking out fearless formula feeder ASAP, also knowing your in my due date month and your combo feeding really does help, you've been super encouraging! </p> <p>@deerylou: Thanks for your story and encouragement! It is seriously so tough and defeating, and I worry its hurting my ability to enjoy her while she is so little :-( </p> <p>@loveisstrange: You are one of the people on this board I knew had formula fed, and I hoped you'd chime in, because it is nice to see someone who will not be shamed for using formula! Thanks! </p> <p>@Mrs. Blue: Seriously I'm so impressed you were able to breastfeed twins at all, I'm totally overwhelmed even thinking about it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-feed-combination-feed-supplement#post-1129638 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 16:19:11 +0000 swedishfish 1129638@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>R was given a bottle of formula the day she was born due to low BS. She had another one before she left the hospital for the same reason and then a few more during her first two months. </p> <p>I returned to work when R was 10 weeks old and I'm only able to pump once while at work. I do not pump enough to provide for all of her bottles while I'm away from her. We started giving R a bottle of formula a day almost two weeks ago at 13 weeks old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-feed-combination-feed-supplement#post-1129582 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 15:54:12 +0000 looch 1129582@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I will say that as more time passes, it matters less and less how my son received his nourishment that first year. It will matter even less when he is in kindergarten.</p> <p>I agree about the "breast is best" disclaimer, it is everywhere, and it is annoying. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-feed-combination-feed-supplement#post-1129486 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 15:17:25 +0000 deerylou 1129486@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loveisstrange: It's nice to come across intelligent, FF moms who aren't looking back with regret.</p> <p>@char54: Right?! I always noticed that, too. Crazy...</p> <p>@Mrs. Blue: Such a sweet story! So glad your boys are thriving.</p> <p>Honestly, I love reading that since switching to formula (or combo feeding), most moms here have experienced happiness, calm, and tender moments, and have healthy babies being on par or ahead on their milestones. For me, there was so much fear in switching to formula, but I really couldn't have a more smiley, interactive, engaged daughter. She pushes my fear and guilt aside every day with her sparkly grin and smart little personality. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-feed-combination-feed-supplement#post-1129468 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 15:09:19 +0000 Mrs. Blue 1129468@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My little ones were given bottles of donated breast milk from Day 1 in the NICU. When my milk came in the did a combo of BFing and the donated milk bottles. At about Day 6, they were transitioned to supplementing with formula in preparation for discharge. I did a combination of BFing, pumping, and formula for the first three months, but I could never get my supply high enough and eventually I was pumping only and getting pretty much nothing, so we went to straight formula at 3 months. When I was pumping all the time to get just a 1/4, then an 1/8th and so on of milk and bottlefeeding, I finally had an epiphany that I was actually missing out on interacting with and loving on my boys because I was always having to pump, take supplements, get bottles ready, feed babies. So, I decided I would pump when I had an opportunity that wouldn't mean I was missing out on playing, snuggling, etc. with my boys, and if my supply completely dried up, so be it. I have had a LOT of guilt throughout the process, but now my boys are almost 7 months old. They are both more than triple their birth weights. They smile as soon as I walk in the room. We are incredibly bonded, and they are happy, healthy boys, depsite the fact that they were not EBF for a single day of their lives, and have now been exclusively formula fed longer than they had any milk from me. All this to say, be gentle on yourself and do whatever if right for both your LO AND you! :happy: :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-feed-combination-feed-supplement#post-1129467 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 15:09:13 +0000 Charm54 1129467@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@deerylou: yes! Even my formula cartons have a "breast is best" disclaimer on it. I had no idea where to turn to get legit formula advice/research. No one would tell me how to safely mix formula, what kind to use, what the rules were...FFF website really helped me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-feed-combination-feed-supplement#post-1129435 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 15:00:47 +0000 loveisstrange 1129435@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@char54: @deerylou: AMEN. I wholeheartedly agree with both of you ladies. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-feed-combination-feed-supplement#post-1129398 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 14:49:53 +0000 deerylou 1129398@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: Aw, shucks. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-feed-combination-feed-supplement#post-1129362 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 14:37:44 +0000 JoJoGirl 1129362@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@deerylou: &lt;3 &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-feed-combination-feed-supplement#post-1129354 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 14:35:55 +0000 deerylou 1129354@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@char54: Word. It was hard for me to find unbiased information without the disclaimer of, "BUT...BUT BREAST IS BETTER!". I think we all understand and appreciate that breastmilk is wonderful, but I'll be damned if those who wanted to EBF didn't try with all their might. It's refreshing to read stories similar to mine, and know that, in the end, my health, sanity and the immensely positive experiences I now share with DD outweigh the pressure from the "breast is best" mantra. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-feed-combination-feed-supplement#post-1129342 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 14:32:04 +0000 DillonLion 1129342@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Never made enough for her...we've been doing a 40/60 combo of BM and formula her whole life. She's a little over 10 months now. I'm hoping to make it to a year but it is hard everyday, I won't lie. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-feed-combination-feed-supplement#post-1129340 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 14:31:39 +0000 Charm54 1129340@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wanted to add that the website Fearless Formula Feeders has been really helpful in both giving me actual info about formula and also in eliminating any guilt I may have had. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-feed-combination-feed-supplement#post-1129328 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 14:29:16 +0000 photojane 1129328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sadie couldn't latch due to a recessed jaw. She lost a bunch of weight, and I lost my sanity. I pumped + supplemented for about 2 weeks, but pumping was my worst nightmare. I wasn't pumping much at all, and I was missing out on snuggles with my little Booface. If I could've pumped more efficiently, I might have stuck with it. But, for me, it just wasn't worth the time and effort. To everyone's benefit, by the time she was 3.5 weeks old we were exclusively formula feeding. She's almost 8 months now, and doing awesome. She hasn't been sick, is meeting her milestones on time or early, and she is incredibly happy. We can go out and do as we please when we please, which is so nice. She can eat in the restaurant, in Target, in the car... whatever. Needless to say, we love formula. :)</p> <p>If pumping works for you &amp; you don't mind it, I think it's awesome if you can keep that up! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-feed-combination-feed-supplement#post-1129316 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 14:23:22 +0000 loveisstrange 1129316@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started at birth. BFing was a fail from the start due to medical issues. We supplemented.... and then were basically supplementing with BM.... and then were all formula by 3 months. In the end, the pumping and supplements and stress wasn't worth it for me. It was a weight off my shoulders and I don't regret it.</p> <p>I will just say. Do what you think you think you need to. Don't guilt yourself or let others guilt you about your decisions. </p> <p>Feel free to post on my wall if you have any questions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-feed-combination-feed-supplement#post-1129314 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 14:22:45 +0000 deerylou 1129314@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to really hate talking about our feeding journey, as it went against everything I had planned, initially. Now that I see that DD is a happy, healthy, thriving baby with an emotionally present mama, I know I made the right decision.</p> <p>I had a botched epidural during labor, which caused horrific spinal headaches for the first week and half after delivery. They did not improve on their own, and sitting up to nurse was incredibly painful. I grinned through it, despite never really *feeling* that my milk had come in, as the anatomy was there, our positioning was great, and DD had a terrific latch. However, while I was in outpatient for my second repairative epidural, DH took DD to the ped for her one week appointment to find out she had lost almost 12% of her birth weight, and was developing moderate jaundice. It was concluded that since we were nursing around the clock, DD wasn't getting enough milk, so we were instructed to supplement with formula. That was a hard night.</p> <p>I began seeing my LC often and aggressively, and started myself on a very strict schedule of nursing (with a supplemental nursing system), supplementing (by bottle), and then pumping. This was occurring every two hours, and the entire process took upwards of 45 minutes. I barely had time to interact with DD outside of feeding, and once DH returned to work, juggling the SNS (which DD absolutely hated) and trying to rock her to sleep while hooked up to the pump was damn near impossible. I was also taking every supplement known to man - fenugreek, blessed thistle, goat's rue, more milk plus, mother's milk, etc. Domperidone wasn't a realistic option, as zero pharmacies in our area would carry it, and few doctors would prescribe it. I saw mild improvement in my supply for about a week, but then it began plummeting again. Noticing the low amount of milk while pumping, and seeing how HANGRY my daughter was after nursing, I started to get so depressed. I dreaded feeding time, resented my body, and all but hated DH for not having to go through the pain and frustration I was experiencing. I was not in a good place, and wanted so badly to just *love* on my daughter.</p> <p>A few days later, I finally saw my doctor and was diagnosed with chronic low supply. My OB told me that while I could keep going with the schedule I had been maintaining, she couldn't assure me that it would get better. She says that sometimes, this just.....happens. Prior to getting pregnant, I had a hormonal imbalance, so that might have contributed with my inability to maintain a milk supply. I went home that day and tossed out the SNS, and started feeding my daughter by bottle. I gave her formula, and pumped milk, and comfort nursed her on demand. I did this until the sad day that I all but dried up, and now, at nearly three months, DD is fed formula, exclusively. Life is so much easier, now.</p> <p>Phew, that was long. Best of luck in whatever you decide! If I can give you any advice, it is to avoid guilt, however you can. There is *so* much pressure to EBF, but it's not always possible! Toss the judgment aside. Loving your kid is what's most important. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-feed-combination-feed-supplement#post-1129300 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 14:20:22 +0000 JoJoGirl 1129300@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You should enable multiple voting!</p> <p>LO had jaundice and we started supplementing with formula on day 2 at the hospital, which is also when I started pumping. By the end of week 1, we were done with formula and I was EBF. </p> <p>LO is almost 5 months old now, and we will start supplementing with formula soon because my pumping output is 4-6 oz/day in deficit of what she drinks at daycare and my freezer stash is almost gone.</p> <p>Do what works.. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-feed-combination-feed-supplement#post-1129289 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 14:17:47 +0000 Mommy Finger 1129289@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started supplementing at night at around maybe 2-3m. DS would always cluster feed like crazy at night so when it came time for his last feed before bed, there wouldn't be much left. There was only so long I could listen to him scream before we ended up giving him 2ozs of formula. So for the longest time, I would feed him on both sides and then give him the 2oz bottle. The bottle really became his sleepy cue and he would look for it. As he got older, we upped it to 4 oz before bed (still bf'ing first). Whatever he ate was fine. This has worked out well for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-feed-combination-feed-supplement#post-1129063 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 13:25:40 +0000 maybebaby 1129063@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our situation was kind of weird. I had early supy issues and bleeding, cracked nipples. We combo fed from day 4-4 weeks. During that time I actively worked on my supply (pumping, power pumping and supplements--fenugreek, more milk plus tincture, mothers milk tea, brewery's yeast) and from weeks 4 to now (4 months) we've been EBF. I am glad we supplemented some in the beginning--it gave me the emotional and physical space I needed to get my supply up. I would have been fine to keep supplementing if it didn't work out, but I am glad it did! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-feed-combination-feed-supplement#post-1128818 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 12:33:21 +0000 swurlygurl 1128818@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh, I'm getting depressed just thinking about it again. SOOO many hugs to you!!</p> <p>Up through 1 month I thought we were doing well. She was a suuuuper sleepy eater, and it took forever for her to finish eating. I couldn't tell when my boobs were full, they never felt any different, so I just didn't have any clues to judge anything by. I was confused, but she was getting plenty of wet and dirty diapers during the day.</p> <p>Come DD's 1 month Dr. visit, and she'd LOST 7 ounces from birth. Ugh. Dr. had me feed her then weigh her to see how much her weight went up. I don't even think it went up a full ounce.</p> <p>From there on I would nurse both sides, then give her a bottle, then pump both sides. With a newborn, this process was taking an hour, and then it time to do it all over again in another hour or two! I ended up EPing and got 15 ounces when I pumped for 6 HOURS! So DD was getting half and half. That number slowly went down to 5 oz after 6 hours of pumping, and at 5 months I had to give up for my sanity. 6 hours was not worth 5 ounces in my opinion.</p> <p>1 - 4 weeks insufficient food<br /> 4 - 5 weeks nursing + bottle of freezer stash<br /> 5 - 10 weeks 1/2 milk 1/2 formula (all from bottle)<br /> 10 - 20 weeks 1/3 milk 2/3 formula (all from bottle) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-feed-combination-feed-supplement#post-1128741 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 12:14:19 +0000 sheskrafty 1128741@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always had really low supply, so by week 3 we needed to supplement with formula. It was actually very nice because DH got to take a night time feeding and I got to sleep longer than 2 hours. After a while, I still got up during DH's night feeding and pumped so I could start a freezer stash for work (while it was meager, it was still extra breast milk!) </p> <p>When I returned to work after 3 months my supply got even lower, so I started eating oatmeal, taking fenugreek/blessed thistle supplements, lactation cookies, and the tea and it helped my supply. I only pumped enough for one bottle for daycare, the rest formula. </p> <p>Is it ideal? No, but the first month of BFing was incredibly challenging, and that made it easier knowing my LO was finally getting enough food. Health of my baby definitely comes before my pride. But I am happy to say at 6.5 months I am still BFing and would definitely go to a year if we weren't going to try to start TTCing in the next half year. I am happy my LO is still getting BM and will still get some after we're done weaning thanks to my freezer stash!!</p> <p>Best of luck to you and you should definitely start taking supplements and especially the lactation cookies now - they are sooooooo good!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-feed-combination-feed-supplement#post-1128730 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 12:11:31 +0000 blackbird 1128730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>E got formula on her second day in the hospital. She had persistent pulmonary hypertension and jaundice. I could never get enough milk for her by pumping exclusively. So her nightly bottles were formula and day bottles were all breastmilk. She was about 50% formula/breastmilk until she was 3 months old because I could never pump more. I quit when I was getting 7oz/milk a day. Not worth the hours of pumping! She still gets thawed breastmilk inconsistently </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-feed-combination-feed-supplement#post-1128720 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 12:09:32 +0000 Charm54 1128720@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think youre smart to mix things up if they arent working for you. Lo got formula since day 2 due to my low supply. For a while I was bfing/pumping/supplementing. It got to be waayy too much so I stopped bfing and exclusively pumped. She got 2 formula bottles a day (night time).</p> <p>Now I'm dealing with mastitis ( yay!!!) so I'm pumping and dumping which is heartbreaking. Dd is on formula only now while I let the antibiotics run its course.</p> <p>To be honest, at the moment I am so wanting to quit it all and just do formula but the mastitis pain might be clouding my decision making skills so I'm going to pump through it and make a final decision when I feel better </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-feed-combination-feed-supplement#post-1128709 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 12:07:23 +0000 Pepper 1128709@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've given pumped milk occasionally since LO was a week old. It was just a good way for my husband to get to feed him and bond a little more. Now at 14 weeks we are supplementing after several breastfeeding sessions throughout the day due to weight gain issues. I use pumped milk when I get enough out, and if I don't have any to give, we use Enfamil infant. I went through my 100 oz stash pretty quickly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-feed-combination-feed-supplement#post-1128697 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 12:05:05 +0000 jmarionsmith 1128697@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we started supplementing a few days after birth because my milk wasn't coming in. then when my milk never fully came in we moved on to exclusively formula feeding at around 2-3 weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/formula-feed-combination-feed-supplement#post-1128691 Thu, 03 Oct 2013 12:03:01 +0000 Bookish 1128691@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO is 3 mos old and we've been supplementing since I think week 3 or 4? We started as a way to let DH feed her while I pumped, but we stopped around 8 weeks when she started daycare and switched back to EBF. Unfortunately, my supply has tanked and now she gets one supplemented formula bottle at daycare, 2 pumped bottles, 1 from my stash, and nurses 3x.</p> <p>It looks like we are going to have to switch to 2 formula bottles since my stash is running out. I'm bummed about it, but my supply doesn't appear to be going up any time soon. Feel free to ask me any questions you have! </p>