New at this...just a few questions!

[leahbeth]

Hi there!

I've exclusively breast fed my Lo for 4 1/2 months and have just recently given her a bottle of formula during one of her feeds. It was quite a process of slowly mixing ebm and formula until she would take just formula. I'm on 4 hour EASY and have a few questions about giving formula if anyone could help!

1. How many ounces should she have in a feeding? She currently takes about 6.

2. My Lo has never really spit up before but now will spit up formula occasionally and on two occasions has vomited. Is this normal? Could it be she has just had two much or is this a reaction to the formula?

3. Do I need to give my Lo water if she is having some formula?

4. Since I'm replacing one feed with formula, will my breast milk decrease? I'd eventually like to wean her to just the morning and evening breast feeds and will use Tracy's guide in BWSAYP but we are not quite there yet.

I'm sorry, I have a lot of questions! This is all new to me!!!

  Thanks!
Leah

[Messa]

Hey there I don't think I can answer all your questions but at least my reply will put your message "on top" again

1.  My pediatrician told my that a exclusivley bottle fed baby at 4 months should eat between 28-32oz a day, and at my DD's 6 month visit he said to keep her on the 30 oz a day I was giving her which is 4 7/8 oz bottles a day so I would say for the bottles you plan on giving her should be about the same.

2.  I think they start to spit up more around 4-8 months or so, so it may be normal but I would keep an eye on her and see if any other signs of intolorance come up.

3.  Water is never a bad thing to give LO's (just not so much that it interferes with their milk intake) if she gets constipated because of the formula then definetley but other wise it is you call.

4.  I would imagine your milk supply would be effected but not sure as I had to wean completely at 3 months but they say it is "supply and demand" so...

HTH hopefully someone else has more info
 

[leahbeth]

Thanks Messa!

You had mentioned to watch for any other signs of intolerance to the formula, what would those be?

  Leah

[Leah's Mom]

Hi there!

1. Six or Seven ounces per bottle is normal. My LO was only taking 5 ounces at that age, but she was a fussy eater.

2. A lot of babies spit up. Is is projectile vomiting or just a bit of spit up? Does it seem to bother her or not? If it bothers her or is projectile, I would take with your pediatrician. He or she may be able to reccomend a better formula.

3. I started giving water when i introduced a sippy cup around 6 months. Otherwise, I never offered water unless my LO was constipated. But, like the previous poster said, water is not a bad thing to give.

4. Can't answer this one. If no one answers we can post the question on the breastfeeding forum. I'll check back in to see.

You posted as I did! Other signs of intolerance would be gas, diarrhea, constipation, or new rashes.

[Messa]

Not a problem Leahbeth.

Hope all goes well and good luck!!