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If you’re a breastfeeding mom who’s thinking about starting to supplement with formula, you’re probably wondering how your baby (and you!) will adjust. Introducing formula can certainly have its challenges, but the process doesn’t have to be daunting. Like anything else, simply being open, aware, and informed will help make things easier. Here are eight ways to make supplementing easier – for your baby AND for you!
1. Give someone else the job! Your baby associates your scent with breastfeeding, and if you’re the one to give him his first taste of formula, he might resist the bottle. Get Dad on duty. It will be good for all three of you.
2. Slow down. A bottle delivers formula faster than breastmilk from the tap. Make sure you’re using the slowest flow nipple, and don’t worry if your baby seems to guzzle the bottle. It doesn’t mean she’s starving! Make sure to burp her several times during the feeding to relieve the pressure that can build in her belly with quicker eating.
3. Measure up! If you’ve been feeding your baby breast milk from a bottle, you probably have a good idea of how much she has been eating. If you’ve been feeding strictly from the breast, there’s no way to tell. Start with two ounces of baby formula at a time, paying attention to how much she eats and when.
4. Keep an eye on your baby’s diapers. If your baby is wetting six to eight diapers and has one or two dirty diapers a day, he is probably getting enough to eat. Regular weigh-ins will help you and your pediatrician determine if your baby needs more food. And while shifts in stool patterns are quite common, it’s important to watch for constipation or other changes. Talk your pediatrician if you have concerns.
5. Don’t neglect your own feelings. If supplementing wasn’t in your plans, you might feel emotional about having to introduce formula. And that’s okay. Get support from other moms who’ve been in your shoes. Make sure you spend plenty of non-feeding time bonding with your baby in other ways, too.
6. Keep trying for the best formula “fit.” There is no one formula that is perfect for every baby. Similac® for Supplementation is a good place to start because it is designed for breastfeeding moms who choose to supplement. It has all the essential nutrients and contains OptiGRO™, a unique blend of DHA, Lutein and Vitamin E that supports brain and eye development.
What’s your best tip for supplementing?
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