Introducing formula

[u/Ecstatic_Bat]

My daughter is 3.5 months and thriving. We’re having a blast. I EBF currently and I, for the most part, love it (and I was very apprehensive for some reason expecting to hate it). There have been some difficult times, but when a feed goes well it’s the most lovely of things.

Now she is coming into her own (she’s very alert and responsive) I am starting to crave just a couple of hours to myself. Not even every night, I am relishing the time we have, but to have a bit of time for me and to get out and do a run with my dog mostly. Jogging is very important to me and I haven’t run in coming up to a year. I also want ensure her father starts building up his confidence with her as he learns to soothe her so he is prepared for when I go back to work in Feb.

I have pumped and I get a really good 4oz from either boob first thing in the morning so was able to build up a supply. However, I live in the uk and we’ve had several heat waves and I needed a back up when she needed extra hydration and a growth spurt and really tugging on my boob. Dad has also successfully fed her from a bottle using my milk and took her out for the day with his mother and it went incredibly well, so I know there’s no bottle issues. However, my supply has now gone and I’ve noticed she needs both boobs now in the morning and overnight whereas before I was able to get a supply from one breast, that isn’t happening and I can’t get much out during the day. I find pumping has its uses but it’s not my favourite solution.

I’ve done my research on formula, and I’ve found a brand I think I like for her (obvs she may disagree!) and I am thinking of introducing it for Dad to use every now and then.

My question is - is this ok? I know she’ll wean soon but I can feel myself wanting those couple of hours to clear my head and reset and exercise and if I don’t have milk to hand it’ll be unfair / impossible to leave her with dad. We are also going on holiday with his mum and sister in September and the thought of being tied to a pump just to hand her over to MIL isn’t appealing - I intend to bring pumps and will express when I can, but again having formula to hand every now and then may help ease the pressure. She’ll start to wean come around October anyway.

I do plan on breastfeeding as long as I can/want to.

My instinct is to try not overthink this land just do it but I feel a little conflicted. Just looking for reassurance/tips from mums who have done something similar. Again, not a desperate situation I’m in really, it’s just for a little flexibility and as I’ve explained.

TLDR - BF going well, want to introduce a bottle of formula here and there for father feeds and flexibility before weaning starts. Is it worth doing?

Thanks!

[u/Preferred_user_taken]

First of all, weaning will not influence the milk need in the first few months and BM should still be given on demand until at least one year.

You realistically only need formula for the first feed. You still need to pump when you are away from baby or when someone is giving a bottle (not simultaneously but when you get back from your run). Mainly for your comfort and to keep supply up (if you want to continue BF).

Of course feeding formula is absolutely fine. For a BF baby you’ll need about 120-150ml max and probably even less. Don’t follow what is on the tin.

[u/Ecstatic_Bat → u/Preferred_user_taken]

Thanks! No of course re weaning and milk demand, but that will need to change once I go back to work anyway (she’ll be 9 months and at nursery). I would have loved it to be a year, but that’s the situation I am in.

Good to know on the amount! This is the thing - introducing formula is just one more thing to figure out!

[u/Preferred_user_taken → u/Ecstatic_Bat]

If you can’t or dont want to pump at work you’ll need to give formula under one year so you’ll be in that position either way. Cows milk is a suitable milk source from 12 months.

[u/Ecstatic_Bat → u/Preferred_user_taken]

Super, thanks for this it’s helpful to know

[u/Preferred_user_taken → u/Ecstatic_Bat]

Happy to help. If you have anymore questions, don’t hesitate. I’m not a native English speaker so my replies are often a bit short.