Is it safe to breast AND bottle feed my newborn.?My preemie got used to bottle before breast.?

Question:

My baby was 4 weeks early needing to be tube fed through nose and mouth..That was filling her on formula..My milk came in very late, and that took alot of work to get in..But baby was sent home with bottle feeds and occasional breast..Now almost 2 months later baby is approx 70 % breast with some bottle..She is also very colic..Could the two be upsetting her tummy? Is it safe to feed her the two kinds??I am watching everything I eat to try not upsetting her tummy further.

Answers:
I breast-fed my son, but I also had to supplement with formula because I didn't produce enough milk. My son was also VERY colicky, but it wasn't related to what he ate, or what I ate. I know alot of women who both breast and bottle feed, and alot of babies do quite well with that. Since you're (appropriately) concerned about your baby's colic, you should call your doctor. The doctor can help you determine if there is an allergy. They might also tell you that this is the time for a preemie to develop colic. Babies tend to develop colic about two weeks after birth if they are full term. Preemies tend to develop colic two weeks after when they were SUPPOSED to be born (not related to actual birth date). At any rate, if your baby is crying alot and this is new, call your doctor- you'll feel better having someone take a look at your baby.

Other Answers:
I don't think it's unusual for a premie to have allergies to milk that is not from it's mothers breast. Have you contacted the doctor about this? It is really important because without his/or her opinion you may wind up with more colic. I couldn't even use a real milk. A soy product works well also. You need to be careful and not make any changes without checking with his pediatrician.There are a certain amount of calories and nutrients etc. needed daily. Normally it's a good thing to go from the bottle to the breast alternately.

I want to know this too, but you know you'd get more answers if you put it in the Pregnancy and Parenting section under "Newborn and Baby" category. I'm watching your Q though. I've been meaning to ask the same because I may do both with my baby to be in October so big sister and Daddy can feed her, not just Mommy.

Try to express breast milk and feed her that exclusively. I think breast feeding is almost always best, but bottle feeding is usually easier for babies - they have to work a bit harder when breast feeding. Though, what is best in your situation is what works out best for the both of you. Sometimes throwing away the book and doing what feels right in your situation is the right thing to do.

My milk had the same affect on my son Zachary I was late in getting my milk too. it was making him sick colicky and rashy on him bum. the doctor tried him on soy formula and that did the trick....hes 19 months now and drinks regular milk and table food I was worried about him too but he is just fine. I suggest talking your pedds doc about it and see what he or she recommends.
Good luck

My baby was born 4 weeks premature too. They fed him on the bottle in the hospital although I was trying to nurse. When we got home it was very hard getting him off suplements. I eventually did. Baby will be 22 in October! He was born 3lbs. 15 oz. He is now is 5' 11" and weighs 190 lbs.! Breast feeding is awesome! You've made the right choice.
Since your baby is 70% breast fed there shouldn't be too much trouble weaning off supplements. The baby's colic could be any number of things, but cow's milk is hard to digest. Soy milk can also be a problem. I'd just try getting to 100% breast.
My great neice (4 months) was nursed initally for a month. She takes the formula, but spits up terribly and suffers gas and constipation. No formula change has been effective. On a recent visit I suggested feeding her jar food. Viola' the milk stays down now that she has more substance on her stomach and she doesn't drink very much of it anymore anyway. She now eats strained vegetables and fruits and cereal from the spoon. I never saw a baby take to solid foods from the spoon so well. Turns out what was thought to be colic was hunger! She's now been on solids 3 times a day for two weeks and has had no more spitting up (than usual for a baby.)
Consult your doctor, but follow your instincts too. Your baby will be fine and soon bottles and nursing will be things of the past. All too soon your little chicky will leave the nest as mine has done!
Enjoy her while you can. Hope this helped.

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Is it safe to breast AND bottle feed my newborn.?My preemie got used to bottle before breast.?

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