Mixing Breastmilk and Formula?

I have a patient who is pumping 4-5 times each day, and producing about 1 ½ ounces each time.  Her 9 week old baby is drinking 3-4 ounces at each feeding, and as you can imagine, she has to supplement her milk with formula.  Instead of feeding the baby all formula or all breastmilk, she wondered if she could mix the two.  This is a great idea and one that we recommend when a mom is unable to produce enough breastmilk and needs to introduce formula to her baby.  It helps to start with 1 part formula to 3 parts breastmilk and in subsequent feedings, increase the proportion of formula as needed.  This gives the baby a chance to get used to the new taste, while also encouraging mom to keep up with her pumping and nursing.
   
Many moms find that they can continue to provide at least a portion of their baby’s nutrition from breastmilk, which is packed with countless beneficial nutrients. Infant formula manufacturers are discovering new nutrients in breastmilk and working to provide them in formula in ways that can be absorbed and digested. If you do decide to mix breastmilk and formula, be sure to mix up the formula according to the directions and then add it to your pumped milk.
 
 
  (This blog was originally postedin 2008)