Feeding Questions

A patient came in a few weeks ago to have her C-section incision checked.  
She is recovering nicely from her scheduled repeat C-section. She’s 
both breast and bottle feeding her little one.  Her milk came in, but 
it’s not enough to feed her growing baby.  She pumps, but only gets 
about 1 ounce each time and has lots of questions.  Can she mix breast 
milk and formula in the same bottle?  How much should she use? 

Should she feed the baby at the breast and with the bottle at each feeding or 
alternate? I realized that there are probably lots of other moms with 
the same questions.

Yes, you can mix formula and breast milk in the same bottle.  Make 
sure that if you are using formula, you mix up the formula first 
EXACTLY according to directions before mixing it with breast milk.

Start off by mixing 1 ounce of formula with 2-3 ounces of breastmilk. 
That way the baby will get used to the taste of formula.  Over the 
next few days, gradually increase the amount of formula you use, so 
that you’ll be mixing equal amounts of breastmilk and formula, and 
then gradually use 1 ounce of breastmilk to 2-3 ounces of formula.

Most moms find that their milk supply will continue if they start the 
baby at the breast first and then offer the bottle. Babies will suck 
harder and stimulate the breast to continue producing if you start 
them at the breast, then once you feel they’re emptied, offer a bottle 
of pumped milk or formula.