breast milk or powder milk?

[gingerflaps]

i havnt had a child yet nor am i pregnant, but i was just wondering if it was ok to use both breast milk and powdered milk to feed the baby, because when it does happen i would like to experience breast feeding but i dont fancy lobbin them out in the street, i know u can get pumps but i would also like to give it powdered milk. n e suggestions?

[kick3m0n]

you could use both,  but I'm not sure why you'd bother, as it is so easy to express milk and give that via a bottle if you are going out etc.  I breast fed for 17mnths and never once had to "lob them out in the street" - not sure why you think this would be necessary.  You shouldn't give a bottle to a very young baby (ie under 8wks old) if you intend to breast feed, as it can cause nipple confusion and make them opt for the easy option (ie it takes a lot less effort for a baby to suck from a bottle than to breast feed).  I breast fed because it was so much better for my baby and having done it once, I couldn't be bothered with the hassle of bottles etc with my next baby.  Takes up too much time and effort, breast is quick, easy and always available at the right temp etc.  Being able to feed your baby yourself is a really lovely feeling and does help you develop an amazing closeness with your baby.  It also has a whole miriad of benefits for the mum too.

[trodgers5]

I breast fed and bottle fed both my children - so much more convenient -it means Daddy can do the night time feed and gives your nipples a break.  My children were 8lb and 10lb respectively and if I hadnt given them bottles alternatively with breast feeds I would have felt like one big human udder.  Plus with the second child who has time to breast feed the second child for 30 minutes at a time when you have a 2 year old jumping on you.  Mixed feeding is perfectly acceptable, doesnt do the child any harm and dont let these earth mothers who exclusively breast fed their children for 3 years tell you otherwise!!

[FP]

Wait until the baby arrives and then follow your instincts and the baby's needs as well.  No two babies are the same.  They have different feeding requirements.  If I had followed my instincts and 'listened' to my baby, we would have both had a far better first three months of his life instead of both ending up fraught and me feeling inadequate!

Too much 'well intentioned' advice is given out these days, in my opinion.  Probably 'breast is best' if it suits babe and mum, but very often it is just not possible.

[ann_h]

It will depend on the baby. Mine didn't like the bottle and threw up the formula wholesale on the couple of occasions I tried to get a night break.

At 6 months though, she went onto a bottle quite happily (I couldn't breastfeed any more)