Topping Off

Is your baby breastfeeding but still seems hungry?  Is your baby 
bottle feeding with formula but you want to add a little breastmilk 
for the benefits?  Let’s talk about “topping off”.  If your baby is 
breastfeeding but not gaining enough weight despite all of your 
attempts and the advice of pediatricians and lactation consultants, 
then sometimes it’s helpful to “top them off” with either pumped milk 
or formula.  The most important thing to consider is whether the baby 
is gaining enough weight.  Their brains and bodies are growing like 
crazy and they need the calories.

If your baby is hungry after a feeding session at the breast and 
there’s just nothing left, offer 1-2 ounces of pumped milk or formula 
in a bottle and see if they drink it.  Babies are only going to eat if 
they are hungry. When in doubt offer another sip or two.

If your baby is bottle feeding with formula and you want to add a 
little breastmilk, but worry that you’re not making enough, it’s ok, 
even a little breastmilk is beneficial.  So if you can pump a few 
ounces each day, then by all means add it to the formula.