Combi feeding / expressing
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If you just increase formula and don’t pump at this age you will find your supply will dry up very quickly. You would be best to pump at every normal feed for the first couple of months at least. That means still getting up to pump even when dad is feeding LO.
In the early days, the problem with using formula when out and about is that your supply could potentially drop and on the days when you’re home you might find you don’t have enough milk for baby. Although it’s tough, it’s best to avoid pumping or introducing too much formula in the first six weeks. Try to let your supply regulate to match baby’s needs, and then you can consider what you want. It’s generally better, when combi feeding, to choose certain times of day when you want to give a bottle instead of a breastfeed, and be consistent with this so that your supply can adjust appropriately. You might find that after six weeks you’re more confident in breastfeeding and happy to breastfeed out and about. In many ways I found it more convenient than lugging a cool bag around with me and heating up bottles on the go. If not, maybe identify the times of day when you’re likely to be out and make those your formula feed times. Good luck 😊
Thank you all so much, this has really helped me make a decision. Ultimately, i don’t want my breast milk to dry up (something i didn’t consider before this post, so thanks!) will begin expressing 😊any breast pump recommendations please send them my way x
I’m combi feeding too but exclusively through a bottle as baby wouldn’t latch. My LO is 9 days old and the most I’ve managed to pump so far is 120ml so I have no worries of over supply currently. I find it much easier to also give formula particularly in the night as my partner can get involved and it gives me some extra time to catch some sleep whilst he’s with him x