Some mothers choose to give a combination of breast milk (ASI) and formula milk alternately to their babies, when milk production is not smooth. If you plan to give breast milk along with formula milk to your little one, let's read the following guidelines first.
Basically, you don't need to panic when you feel your milk production is lacking, as long as your little one's weight is still increasing normally. Indeed, it is better for you to give a combination of breast milk and formula milk. However, of course, after consulting a pediatrician about whether or not to give formula milk in addition.
Guide to Breastfeeding and Formula Milk
Giving a combination of breast milk and formula does not mean they are mixed at the same time. Mothers can start by changing one of the feeding times by giving formula milk.
Combining breast milk and formula is certainly not easy to do. This is caused by several factors, ranging from the different sensations felt by babies when consuming formula milk from a bottle with direct feeding, to the difference in the taste of breast milk and formula milk.
Therefore, there are several guidelines for giving a combination of breast milk and formula milk that you can do, including:
1. Keep giving breast milk first
Giving formula milk at the beginning of breastfeeding can make the mother's body automatically limit milk production. In addition, the baby is also not accustomed to breastfeeding effectively. Mothers are encouraged to keep trying to give exclusive breastfeeding for the first 4-6 weeks after the baby is born or better for the first 6 months.
2. Do it gradually
When starting to give formula milk as a companion to breast milk, try to gradually reduce the number of feedings, so that the breasts do not become swollen and develop mastitis.
The trick is to change the habit of breastfeeding at one time. For example. if previously Mother often breastfeeds your little one at night, try changing this habit by giving formula milk through a bottle. This of course takes time until your little one can accept the difference in the taste of formula milk with breast milk.
3. Do it after giving complementary foods
It will be easier if formula milk is introduced when the baby is over 6 months old. The reason is, at this time, the frequency and level of breast milk consumed by the baby will decrease by itself. When he started eating complementary foods (MPASI). Mothers can also start giving your little one water as a distraction.
4. Select right time
When going to give formula milk in a bottle for the first time, find a time when your little one is calm and full, yes, bun, not when he is hungry.
It would be better if formula milk was given not by the mother, so that the little one could distinguish it from breastfeeding activities. If this is not possible, you can hold him in a different position than when breastfeeding.
5. Stay patient to try
If your little one refuses to be given formula milk, maybe you can try it again at another time or with a different bottle shape. Babies may refuse to drink milk from a bottle because they are comfortable and accustomed to suckling from the breast. Conversely, babies who drink from a bottle more often may not want to suckle from the breast anymore.
Giving a combination of breast milk and formula does not take a short time. However, with some of the guidelines above, it is hoped that you can combine breast milk and formula more easily.
If your little one is always uncomfortable with giving a combination of breast milk and formula milk, especially if they experience constipation after consuming formula milk, you should immediately stop giving formula milk and consult your pediatrician about this.
