The issue of child nutrition worries all young mothers, as well as those who are just about to become parents. Theme about proper feeding baby has always been and will be relevant. Every parent cares about the health of their baby and tries to do everything possible for his well-being. To begin with, it is worth understanding what mixed feeding is and whether everyone needs it.
Mixed feeding of newborns (or combined) is the introduction of an artificial mixture into the baby's diet. This type of complementary foods can be purchased in specialized stores, as well as in pharmacies.
Does everyone need it?
Mixed feeding of newborns is actual topic for mothers who, for one reason or another, cannot completely feed their baby with breast milk. Sometimes babies have to switch to artificial feeding while still in the hospital. Another reason for the need for complementary foods may be the birth of several children at once. For example, the birth of twins or triplets. Often, babies may not have enough milk, and then the doctor advises the mother to introduce additional mixtures.
Mixed feeding of newborns may also be required in the case when the child does not gain weight and cries often, and also if the process of urination rarely occurs (less than seven times a day), there is no stool or it happens once a day. All these symptoms may indicate that the child is malnourished: mother's milk is not enough for the normal growth and development of the baby. Of course, in this case, the mother should try to restore the lactation process. But if this is not possible, you should contact a specialist. The doctor will exclude all sorts of nuances and advise which mixture is best to purchase, depending on the characteristics of the child's body. 
How many times a day do you need extra feeding?
Until a certain age, the child's diet consists of mother's breast milk and a specialized mixture. But sometimes breastfeeding is not possible. When the mother does not have enough of her own milk, additional mixtures must be introduced. Many parents are wondering how to organize mixed feeding. There is no single answer, as every child is different.
To determine the dose, you can consult a doctor. Although later you will still need to look at the reaction of the baby. If a woman can breastfeed, then it is best to give the child the opportunity to receive the mother's product. After that, if the baby continues to cry or seek the breast, you need to prepare the mixture.
Often the dosage is written on the packages. Therefore, all you need is to carefully monitor the reaction of the child, and then you can easily determine whether the baby has received enough food. Proper mixed feeding is when the percentage of the mixture does not exceed the percentage of mother's milk. Of course, if we are not talking about artificial ones - here the child's diet will consist entirely of a purchased product.
The right mixture is the key to good health
In almost any, even a sparsely populated area, today you can buy infant formula. On sale is great amount goods for babies. But do not rush to buy the most expensive. Before choosing, of course, you should contact a specialist who will tell you exactly which mixture will suit your child. If it is not possible to use the services of a pediatrician, then you should carefully read everything that is indicated on the jars with a children's product. 
There are several types of this food:
- The first category is the customized product. That is, it contains substances and components that are almost identical to those present in breast milk.
- The second category includes goods partially adapted. Such mixtures are often cheaper than the first and have a good percentage of assimilation.
- There is hypoallergenic food. It is more complex and expensive. You should not buy it if there is no urgent need, because if the child does not have any allergic reactions, there is no need to use it.
What problems can arise with complementary foods?
With the introduction of the mixture in the baby, various kinds of physiological reactions can be observed. For example, it can be bloating, redness, the appearance of pimples. You can also notice how the stool of a newborn has changed with mixed feeding. Minor changes are a normal reaction to a new product. But if after two days the child does not have any negative manifestations, then the mixture definitely needs to be changed.
It is important to know one more nuance when practicing mixed feeding of newborns. The baby's stool may become more dense - this is a normal reaction to a new food. To prevent this phenomenon from becoming permanent, it is necessary for the child to give more water. Gradually, the body will get used to new products, and the problem in the form of constipation will disappear by itself.
What else do moms need to know?
Often parents do not dare to transfer their children even partially to artificial complementary foods for a long time. Many believe that the mixture contains chemical components that will adversely affect the growing body. Yes, such nutrition cannot be called a full-fledged substitute for mother's milk, but today it is very close to it in its properties. All blends are thoroughly tested. The only thing that can cause rejection is a personal individual intolerance to the product.
When to feed?
Also, parents often ask why the mixture should be given to the child after natural feeding, and not vice versa. Everything here is very simple and easy to explain. When a baby suckles at the breast, he exerts maximum strength. And the process of natural feeding stretches for several minutes. But the absorption of food from a bottle is a simple matter that does not require much energy. Therefore, the child, eating in this way, very quickly receives his dose, but at the same time does not feel full and satisfied. 
Mixed feeding of newborns is a simple and harmless process, but it requires the right approach. If you give the baby the mixture first, after that he may refuse to make an effort. And mother's healthy milk will continue to disappear as unnecessary. Therefore, experts recommend giving the breast first, and then the mixture.
Parents' opinion
For all parents who doubt whether they need to practice mixed feeding of newborns, reviews will help make a decision. Most of them are positive. Parents note positive dynamics in weight gain, a nice mood in the baby, good digestion of food. A baby who receives formula is no different from a baby who feeds on mother's milk. But parents ask questions: "What do you need to know about the combined method? What to consider?" 
How correctly mixed feeding of a newborn is carried out, we have already told. Don't be afraid - it's great way feed the child when the mother has problems.
Finally
Parents who are faced with the question of whether to introduce a mixture into the child’s diet or not can say with confidence that there is no need to be afraid of this process. If the baby does not experience allergic reactions due to individual intolerance, then the product can be consumed further. But before using it is better to consult a doctor. It is very important to carefully study the composition and check the expiration date before buying a mixture.
Unfortunately, not all new mothers have the opportunity to breastfeed their baby. Sometimes mother's milk is not enough and in order to make up for the lack of vitamins and microelements, one has to resort to the help of special adapted mixtures for children. How to properly feed a baby? What problems with a chair can arise at the same time? All answers are in this article.
Mixed feeding: how to organize
The principle of mixed feeding is to combine two methods - breastfeeding and special infant formula, and the ratio should be 1:1. If for the most part the child is fed mixtures, this is called the artificial type of feeding.
Usually, this type of feeding has to be resorted to by those mothers who have reduced lactation, or for some reason they do not have the opportunity to breastfeed, and there is not enough expressed milk.
Mixed feeding involves natural attachment to the breast until it is completely empty, only then can the baby be offered a bottle. In this case, the technique is especially popular when an imitation of natural feeding is created with the help of a special device - it sucks the breast, but receives the mixture from the bottle. The nipple should be of a special shape and tight enough so that the baby makes an effort and thereby stimulates the sucking reflex.
To avoid unpleasant consequences mixed feeding, the following rules must be observed:
Mixtures for mixed feeding
The first rule when choosing a formula for mixed feeding is to get one where the amount of dry powder will be used as little as possible, then there is a chance to save breast milk for a longer time.
If necessary, go to this species breastfeeding, mothers are wondering which formula to choose. Of course, the pediatrician will provide you with more detailed information, but general information You can find out about the varieties of the mixture yourself:
- The best product is the mixture that is as close as possible in composition to breast milk. It's called highly adapted. Ideal for babies under the age of 6 months (Nan, Nutrilon, Hipp, Humana, etc.). There are also partially adapted on casein (a complex slow-digesting protein), they can be purchased if there is a problem of frequent regurgitation, and transitional ones that are suitable for children older than six months.
- There are conventional, standard mixtures for healthy babies and special ones for premature babies or children with allergies.
- Specialists distinguish fresh and acidophilic (sour-milk) mixtures, the latter are very helpful if the baby suffers from constipation and colic.
- If lactase deficiency is pronounced, choose low-lactose Nutrilak, Nutrilon or Humana with prebiotics.
- With lactose intolerance, the mixture on cow's milk is replaced with a product on soy of various brands.
Mixed feeding baby menu
The mixture must be introduced into the child's menu with caution, starting with 10-20 ml. If the acquaintance with the new product was successful, you can bring the serving volume to the required norm. It is recommended to choose only one brand of the mixture that suits the crumbs, frequent changes lead to malfunctions in the stomach and intestines.
To conserve milk, you should breastfeed at least three times a day, it is good if it is both morning and evening feeding, when milk production is most active. The number of feedings with the mixture depends on the daily intake, and it, in turn, on the age of the baby. Usually, in the first two weeks, a newborn needs 9-10 meals, a child up to six months - 6-7, older children can be fed with a mixture of 5 times a day.
First, offer a breast to a hungry baby, if he refuses, do not rush to grab a bottle, try to wait a bit and try again. If the main diet is still mother's milk, the baby can be supplemented with a spoon or vial.
Usually, doctors advise artificial children to start supplementing with adult food no earlier than 4-5 months, at breastfeeding- after 6 months. When to start complementary foods for their child, each parent decides for himself, but it is better that this be under the supervision of a specialist. In general, a diet with a mixed diet differs little from breastfeeding; at 7 months, a child usually already tries new foods (meat, fish, vegetable, fruit purees, cereals, juices, cottage cheese) gradually and in small portions. The mixture is given three times a day - morning, afternoon and evening, and the breast, as a rule, on demand. 
Water for mixed feeding
Adding water to the baby with mixed feeding is one of the most burning issues that worries all mothers without exception. Moreover, the opinion of doctors on this matter is ambiguous.
Up to 3-4 months of life, mother's milk serves as both food and drink for the baby, it maintains the fluid balance in the body at the proper level. In addition, the composition of milk can be changed and adjusted depending on the needs of the crumbs. If the baby is often attached to the breast, therefore, receives more foremilk, it is not as nutritious as hind milk and perfectly quenches thirst. 
But the situation is different when it comes to mixed or artificial feeding, lack of fluid can lead to constipation and poor health. Adapted mixtures contain more protein than a woman's milk, so you need to supplement the baby from the first days of life. Children on a mixed diet also need additional fluids, but in smaller amounts, on average, 100-200 ml of water is enough for an infant. You can drink from a bottle or from a spoon, but only if necessary, and without adding liquid to the total volume of what you eat. In the hot season and during the period of illness, the child's body needs more water. Warm water can also help with hiccups.
When a child begins to try new, adult food, water becomes simply necessary, so it is worth accustoming a child to it in advance. It is best to purchase special bottled water for this, it has a balanced composition of salts and trace elements. In extreme cases, you can use the usual boiled and cooled to room temperature water. 
Chair with mixed feeding
When breastfeeding, the establishment of the functioning of the child occurs relatively painlessly. But after the introduction of the mixture into the diet, unpleasant changes may follow. The crumbs may develop bloating, increased gas formation and skin rashes. This indicates that the mixture is not suitable for the child, it must be urgently replaced after consulting a pediatrician.
As for the stool on mixed feeding, it is less liquid and more formed in consistency (it all depends on the amount of mixture received) than with breastfeeding, its color is darker and has an unpleasant odor, like in an adult, the defecation process can occur 2-3 times in a day. If white grains are found in the feces, then the stomach does not have time to cope with the volume of food, this is a reason to consult a specialist.
Children on artificial nutrition may also suffer from too frequent, liquid stool. The reason lies in the violation of the intestinal microflora due to mixtures. Symptoms of dysbacteriosis are also considered colic, bloating, pain. Most often, over time, the problem disappears on its own, gradually the intestines are populated by microorganisms and everything returns to normal. But sometimes you need to solve this problem by taking probiotics. 
Constipation with mixed feeding
In the first year of a child's life, constipation is a very common phenomenon. This is probably one of the most exciting topics for moms, not counting colic. If you notice that the child, when trying to empty the intestines, stews, groans, blushes and cries, does not go to the toilet for more than two days, then the first signs of constipation have appeared. The chair at the same time becomes more solid, like an adult.
What are the reasons for this phenomenon if the baby is mixed-fed?
- Artificial mixtures are still not best view nutrition for newborns, it is likely that it will not suit the child, there will be unpleasant consequences in the form of allergies, bloating and constipation.
- Proper nutrition is very important, underfeeding or overeating is not good for a fragile child's body. If the baby does not want to eat up the prescribed portion of the mixture and at the same time feels good, you do not need to force him, but at the same time, keep an eye on weight gain.
- Children on artificial and mixed nutrition need additional liquid, be sure to supplement the child with water.
- The reason may be the wrong, untimely type of complementary foods.
- Low physical activity- the cause of constipation in both adults and children.
- Serious diseases that can only be diagnosed by a specialist can become a factor influencing the occurrence of problems with defecation.
Constipation for a small child is very dangerous, it can cause intoxication of the body, and hardened feces often damage the mucous membrane of the anus. Therefore, to strengthen the abdominal muscles, often lay the child on the tummy, massage clockwise. In extreme cases, a gas tube or a microclyster will help get rid of excess gases and empty the intestines. 
Mixed feeding: reviews
The opinions of parents about mixed feeding are significantly divided, which is fully explained by the individual characteristics of the child's body. Someone tolerates such nutrition well, without showing any "side" manifestations, while others even react to minor changes with a whole range of symptoms. But, as a rule, they come to mixed feeding not of their own free will, but out of need. Try to constantly and in everything consult with a pediatrician, listen to his advice and then the risk of problems will be minimized.
Very often, a young mother, for certain reasons, cannot breastfeed her baby. natural way, and then analogues of breast milk, adapted milk formulas come to the rescue. But feeding with milk mixtures has several rules that must be followed.
Before purchasing formula for feeding your baby, you should consult your pediatrician. It is necessary to carefully read all the inscriptions on the label of the mixture packaging, where all the data are indicated: the qualitative composition of the mixture, the age of the child recommended for this mixture, the method of preparation and the shelf life in open and closed form.
Read more about the composition of infant formula, as well as unacceptable and necessary additives, read
What you need to know about formula milk
Milk formulas are made from cow's milk, which is maximally adapted to the standard of balance of food components and nutritional value- breast milk. For adaptation, innovative technologies are used to modify food components at specialized enterprises under strict control in compliance with all hygienic requirements that apply to products baby food.
Milk formulas are divided according to medical and age indications, but there are no fundamental differences between formulas for feeding produced by different companies, and the principles of proper preparation and feeding a child with a mixture do not differ from each other. So, what do young parents need to know to properly feed their baby with formula milk?
First of all, you need to remember the following - you need to purchase a mixture for food only in pharmacies or specialized children's stores, after carefully checking the packaging at the time of damage to the surface and expiration date.
For more information on how to choose a formula, as well as an overview of the most popular infant formulas, read
Safety regulations 
Milk formula is given to the child from a special measuring bottle with a nipple. Water for the preparation of milk formula must also be purchased special, for children, and boiled.
Children's dishes should be free of any defects, they must be carefully looked after, after each feeding, the bottle should be rinsed under running warm water, the washed dishes for feeding should be placed on the bottom of a large pot on a towel for sterilization, bottles and nipples should be boiled for 10 minutes in a covered saucepan, then they should be pulled out of the water, put on a clean towel and allowed to dry. How to wash and sterilize baby bottles read more
The hole in the nipple for feeding should be such that the baby does not choke on the free-flowing mixture, but at the same time, so that the baby does not waste his last strength on sucking out the mixture. To date, manufacturers offer a wide range of nipples for feeding, but it is better to choose a special orthodontic nipple, such a nipple fits the baby's mouth better, and the movements of his tongue are as close as possible to the movements when sucking on the mother's breast. Read about choosing the right nipple for a bottle.
It is necessary to prepare the milk formula immediately before feeding the child, and when preparing, you should clearly follow the instructions on its packaging. No need to try to prepare the mixture thicker, this can lead to a deterioration in the child's well-being.
The required amount of boiled water cooled to 40-50 degrees is poured into a dry, clean bottle, then the required amount of dry mixture is poured into the bottle with a measuring spoon, after which the bottle should be shaken well until completely dissolved.
Never heat milk formula in the microwave, the temperature difference between the surface of the bottle and its contents can be quite significant, and you will burn your baby. Before giving the mixture to the baby, it is necessary to check its temperature, for this you should apply a few drops of the mixture to your wrist. Feeding formula should be warm, not hot.
Do not re-feed the baby half-eaten formula, or prepare the formula for future use. If you had to prepare the mixture in advance for several feedings, then it should be stored only in the refrigerator and no more than a day. Milk formula is an excellent base for the reproduction of various kinds of pathogenic microorganisms, so the mixture for feeding the baby should be prepared every time a new one.
Change the child's diet, guided by advertising is not the best the best way, because the choice of baby food is now huge, and it is very easy to make a mistake.
Therefore, if there is a need to change the mixture, you should consult your pediatrician.
How to formula feed?
When preparing the mixture, do not fuss and rush, otherwise you can make various mistakes. If the bottle in which the baby food was prepared suddenly burst, you should not pour the mixture into another bottle, it is better to prepare a new one.
The amount of formula that the baby eats during feeding may be different, but this should not disturb the young mother, this is completely normal, because the child has different time days different appetite.
Never force a child to eat up the entire amount of the mixture in the bottle, the baby himself knows how much he needs to eat in order to get enough.
About how much and how often a child should eat a mixture, read
Sometimes the question arises, how best to feed the baby - in the crib or in her arms. Some tend to believe that only in their arms, because in this way he experiences greater unity with the person who feeds him, and some young parents believe that feeding a child in a crib is designed to teach him to be independent. In fact, choose exactly the method that suits you and the baby equally. After feeding, be sure to hold the baby in an upright “column” position so that he burps the air that gets into the tummy during feeding.
Communication with the baby during feeding is one of the important points, try to make the baby feel your care and love for him, give him as much attention as possible.
It is necessary to feed the child taking into account his age and appetite. The child needs to get used to each new mixture, so the mixture is first introduced in small doses. It is impossible to feed a child with milk mixtures, focusing only on beautiful packaging, without taking into account individual features his body.
How to find out if the mixture is suitable for your child, how to switch to another mixture, read
In this article:
Sometimes there are situations when supplementary feeding with a mixture becomes necessary. Irregular lactation, maternal illness, and insufficient weight gain by the child are common causes mixed feeding. Supplementation is the introduction of an artificial mixture into the infant's diet, which should supplement the mother's lactation on a temporary or permanent basis.
When is supplementation needed?
There are a number of reasons that justify mixed feeding. As practice shows, against the background of the modern rhythm of life, there are plenty of them.
Situations when you need to supplement formula while breastfeeding:
- Irregular or disturbed lactation . Sometimes a child simply does not have enough breast milk, which is reflected in his body weight.
- Mom's illness . If a woman is forced to take medications that are not allowed for breastfeeding, pediatricians recommend not breastfeeding and transferring the baby to an adapted milk formula. This step will protect the baby from pathogenic microflora and metabolites. medicines that pass into breast milk.
- Rhesus conflict . The incompatibility of the blood of the mother and the newborn is an indication for artificial nutrition.
- Time trouble . Not all women manage to stay on maternity leave for several years. Can a breastfed baby be supplemented with formula in this case? Yes, it's better than completely switching to artificial nutrition.
What products are used for supplementary feeding?
The formula for supplementary feeding of newborns should be as close as possible to breast milk in composition. It is not difficult to purchase a product of high quality and adapted to the needs of the baby - on the shelves of stores there is a sufficient assortment of domestic and foreign baby food, which can be offered to the baby from birth.
The milk of domestic animals - cows or goats - is not currently used in pediatrics. These foods have been proven to negatively affect a child's immune system, digestive tract, and kidneys. There is also a risk of infection of the baby with brucella and other pathogenic flora, which can be transmitted from sick animals. Supplementing a newborn with a mixture eliminates this possibility.
Mix volume
If the baby does not have enough milk during breastfeeding, he must be supplemented with artificial formula, the volume of which must be calculated correctly, but how to do this? There are two ways.
To find out how much breast milk a baby receives during the day, it is weighed before and after feeding. On the basis of the obtained difference and the age needs of the child in the volume of food, an appropriate conclusion is made. This method helps to quickly and easily determine whether it is necessary to introduce supplementary feeding and how much formula the child needs.
You can also find out if the mother has a shortage of milk by counting wet diapers. To this end, for one day it is required to abandon disposable diapers and swaddle a newborn in the old fashioned way. Average infant urinates 12 times a day. If this happens less often, add 30 ml of formula to each feeding until the number of wet diapers is within the norm.
No need to calculate the required amount of supplementary feeding "by eye". Such actions can lead to digestive problems, an increase in the volume of the stomach and overweight of the child, if you make a mistake and overfeed the baby.
Choosing a mixture
After deciding on the need to introduce supplementary food for a newborn, a young mother faces the task of choosing the right product. Modern adapted formulas are close in composition to mother's milk, so choosing high-quality baby food these days is not difficult at all.
How and what mixture to choose to avoid allergies and digestive problems? A good mixture contains unsaturated fats necessary for full development nervous system and the brain. Most products include pro- and prebiotic supplements, which eliminate the possibility of digestive problems in the baby. Nucleotides have a positive effect on the formation of immunity, and lutein is useful for the organs of vision. It is also important that the infant formula includes iodine, taurine and other trace elements.
The age of the child and his well-being also play a role in deciding which mixture is better to feed the newborn. The composition of baby food changes in accordance with the growing needs of the baby, so you need to pay attention to the labeling of the product. Usually, for babies under 6 months old, the mixture is labeled with the number "1", for older children - "2" and "3".
If the child has digestive problems, for example, colic or, it is better to choose a fermented milk mixture. With lactase deficiency, pediatricians advise lactose-free products.
The tendency to spit up frequently can be eliminated by feeding a highly viscous anti-reflux formula. For allergic babies, a hypoallergenic product is better suited, while a nursing mother should not forget about compliance.
Before purchasing the mixture, you need to read the instructions. It is important not only to acquire quality product but also learn how to cook and store it properly. So, what formula to choose for supplementary feeding? It depends on the age and needs of the baby.
How to introduce supplement?
The correct introduction of artificial nutrition into the baby's diet guarantees the success of mixed feeding.
- Breast milk is the only true source of nutrition for a child. . It contains all required list trace elements, vitamins and salts that the baby needs during the period of growth and development. Therefore, it is possible to supplement with a mixture during breastfeeding only on the condition that the newborn first of all emptied the mammary glands of the mother in full.
- If the child does not finish eating the proposed mixture to the end, you do not need to force him . You can determine the satiety of the baby by his behavior: he does not make sucking movements, turns away from the bottle or pushes it away with his hand. It is necessary to supplement the breastfeeding child with the same amount of the selected mixture, without reducing or increasing this volume, including before bedtime.
- Babies eat better when they are in a good mood. . If the baby is overexcited, cold, or something hurts, constant crying will interfere with normal food intake. Therefore, first, mom must eliminate everything adverse factors, and only when the child calms down, you need to supplement him with a mixture.
- The hole in the bottle should not be too big. . Quick and easy saturation with an artificial mixture leads to the fact that soon the child completely refuses the breast. If possible, it is recommended to replace the bottle with a dessert spoon.
- Temperature the finished mixture should be comfortable for the baby - not higher than 38 ° C.
If you follow these simple rules, supplementary feeding with a mixture while maintaining breastfeeding will avoid a quick transition to artificial feeding of the baby.
What to feed with?
A bottle equipped with a nipple is a familiar attribute for every young mother. But pediatricians advise using it only under extreme circumstances. This method of feeding newborns with formula is a direct threat to lactation.
Long-term observations indicate that children who have tried the nipple for the first time begin to take the breast with reluctance and soon categorically refuse mother's milk.
So, how to properly supplement the mixture of a newborn with the help of simple devices?
A young mother can choose which method is best for her:
- Dessert or teaspoon . This is the easiest way to feed a baby without a threat to lactation. The child is supplemented with a mixture by means of a spoon, subject to a modest amount of food.
- Pipette or syringe . This option is also suitable for supplementary feeding with a small amount of the mixture, that is, you should not feed the baby in this way at night. In addition, the process itself takes a lot of time and effort from both the mother and the child, but does not affect the process of producing breast milk.
- small cup . Another simple, but not very convenient method that allows you to supplement your baby with formula. In the absence of experience and skills, milk can partially spill out of the dishes, so it is quite difficult to determine how much was eaten by the baby and whether he ate. But this method best demonstrates how to properly supplement your baby with formula at night.
- Mom's finger . Feeding in this way is safe for lactation, but it is rarely used due to the length of the process. The finger is best used to awaken the sucking reflex in the baby.
If it becomes necessary to introduce supplementary feeding while breastfeeding, the mother should make as much effort as possible to maintain lactation.
How to return natural feeding?
With mother's milk, the child receives a maximum of useful microelements, hormones, protective antibodies and nutrients. If there is not enough breast milk, you can supplement the baby with a mixture, but at the same time the woman should think about whether she is doing everything to maintain lactation.
Frequent attachment of the baby to the breast, regardless of how full it is, will help solve the problem. In this case, the woman receives stimulation of the mammary glands, and the baby realizes the sucking reflex in full. Limit the time of his stay at the breast should not be. Co-sleeping and breaking the habit of supplementing a baby with formula while breastfeeding can solve the problem of a lack of mother's milk in 7 days.
Additionally, a woman can take herbal and homeopathic remedies aimed at improving lactation. Also, don't forget about good nutrition, compliance drinking regime and elimination of stress factors. Sometimes these simple recommendations free a young mother from worries and anxieties about how to feed the baby.
The relevance of the problem of mixed feeding does not lose popularity at any time. It can only be solved by integrated approach, in which such indicators as the state of his health, the presence and number of urination are necessarily taken into account.
How to choose a mixture and introduce it into the child's diet? A product suitable for age and individual needs should be administered carefully, preferably not from a bottle and not exceeding the norm. But even after the introduction of supplementary feeding, a young mother needs to make efforts to eliminate the mistakes made during breastfeeding until lactation is restored.
Helpful video about supplementing your baby with formula
Mother's milk is the perfect food for a baby. It is advisable to attach the baby to the breast in the first 15-20 minutes after birth, when colostrum is released. Just a few drops of this immunoglobulin-rich liquid significantly increase the immune defense of the crumbs, and the act of sucking triggers adaptive processes in his body and helps to establish close contact with the mother. Unfortunately, not all women produce enough milk and they have to introduce supplementary feeding, that is, practice mixed feeding of newborns. Consider the pros and cons of this type of feeding, as well as options for when this can be avoided.
Mixed feeding of a newborn baby is a type of nutrition in which the diet consists of breast milk and an adapted formula. At the same time, the artificial substitute accounts for less than 50% of the total food volume.
There is an opinion that the introduction of a mixture as a supplement is a direct path to a complete transition to. Such a result is possible only if the mother does not fight to maintain and increase lactation.
The purpose of mixed nutrition is to provide the child nutrients for the period when a woman does not have enough milk.
At right approach and the absence of serious health problems within 1-2 months, supplementary feeding can be completely abandoned.
Try to put the baby to the breast more often when mixed feeding
Principles of mixed feeding:
- Main and most the best food for newborns - . No mixture reproduces its composition completely. It is introduced not to replace milk, but to temporarily solve the problem of its shortage.
- In parallel with the introduction of supplementary feeding, the mother should take measures to increase lactation. The main one is frequent breastfeeding at the request of the baby. Stimulation of the nipples leads to an increase in the level of hormones responsible for the production of milk.
Grounds for entering the mixture
Reasons for switching to mixed feeding:
- severe lack of milk in a woman;
- The child has;
- the impossibility of constant coexistence of the mother and the baby - going to work, studying, traveling;
- various pathologies in a woman - diseases of the kidneys, respiratory, cardiovascular systems, and so on.
Do not rush to enter the formula, you may have false ideas about the malnutrition of the child
Most often, supplementary feeding is introduced during the 1-2nd month of life. But sometimes the mixture is given to the child from the first days. This usually happens after caesarean section, premature or multiple births.
It is not uncommon for situations where artificial nutrition is used unreasonably. It seems to the mother that she does not have enough milk or the baby is not gaining weight well.
False signs of insufficient lactation:
- Soft chest, no flushing. These manifestations indicate that milk is released only when the nipple is stimulated, which is a sign of mature lactation.
- Unable to express milk. The hormone oxytocin is responsible for its secretion, which is secreted in the process of breast sucking. As a result, many women cannot express milk with their hands or with the help of special devices, even with a large amount of it.
- Child whims while eating. Screaming and twisting at the chest can be caused by various reasons: from overwork to intestinal colic. You should try to establish them, and not write off everything for a lack of milk.
- "Hanging" the baby on the mother. The child often asks for a breast and sucks for a long time because of the desire to be close to his mother.
- Lag in weight gain. The normative limits of mass at different ages are very wide. For example, a girl at 2 months old can weigh from 3.6 to 6.6 kg. All values can be viewed in tables developed by WHO.
In addition, many mothers add formula to their diet, as feeding causes them pain due to cracked nipples. The problem usually occurs when the baby is not properly attached. For wound healing, you can use special ointments ("Bepanten"). It is also necessary to learn how to give the baby a breast so that he captures the areola around the nipple.
The most objective sign that a baby is not getting enough milk is insufficient urination. You can check their number by giving up disposable diapers for 1 day and counting wet diapers. If there are less than 12, it is necessary to introduce supplementary feeding.
Advantages and disadvantages
If we compare artificial and mixed feeding, then the second, of course, wins. Its advantages:
- The child receives those valuable substances that are not in the mixture, for example, immune factors, hormones, enzymes. He will grow stronger and healthier.
- Contact with the mother is maintained, which is possible only during breastfeeding. Thanks to this, the baby and mother feel calmer.
- It remains possible to return to natural nutrition. It is much more difficult to maintain lactation even with a short-term transition to artificial feeding.
Psychologically, the baby is more comfortable at the mother's breast
Some mothers are tempted to supplement for no real reason. This gives them the freedom to manage their time more freely. You should not do this, because mixed feeding has its drawbacks:
- the possibility of an allergy to the mixture;
- a tendency to and colic due to the fact that the gastrointestinal tract of a newborn hardly digests any products other than breast milk;
- the risk of changes in the intestinal microflora towards an increase in the number of opportunistic organisms;
- the hassle associated with the preparation and storage of the mixture.
The choice and rules for preparing the mixture
Be sure to follow the proportions when preparing the mixture
The choice of baby food with mixed feeding is best done in conjunction with a pediatrician. If the child is healthy, any product with a degree of adaptation corresponding to his age will suit him. Adaptation means approaching the composition of the mixture to breast milk in terms of the amount of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, amino acids and other substances. In the first 4-6 months, nutrition with a marker "1" is recommended.
Apart from standard mixtures, there are therapeutic and treatment-and-prophylactic. They are prescribed by a doctor if the baby has diseases. For example:
- with allergies to cow's milk- hypoallergenic products with proteins or soy;
- with a shortage (an enzyme that breaks down milk sugar) - low- and lactose-free options;
- with a tendency to constipation and flatulence - sour-milk and anti-colic mixtures, as well as nutrition with pro- and prebiotics;
- with underweight or prematurity - foods with a high protein content.
Therapeutic and treatment-and-prophylactic mixtures are introduced into the diet according to the scheme prescribed by the doctor. You should not use them on your own.
It is important to properly prepare the mixture, which is most often presented in the form of a dry powder. Key recommendations:
- Use boiled water to dilute the powder. Follow the proportions indicated in the instructions.
- Observe the rules of hygiene - thoroughly wash and sterilize children's dishes, monitor the cleanliness of hands. Can be used baby remedy for dish washing.
- Mix food in a bottle. First pour water, then put the powder and mix thoroughly for 30 seconds.
- Prepare the mixture for 1 meal a maximum of 10-15 minutes before it.
- Give the baby food with a temperature of 37 °. For heating, use special appliances, not a microwave.
For the first time, offer the child 10-20 ml of the mixture and look at his reaction. If there are no allergies or digestive problems, the dose can be increased. You cannot introduce two new products at the same time. It is also not recommended to change mixtures frequently.
Organization of mixed feeding
There are two options for organizing mixed feeding. The first of them is alternation, that is, a mixture in one feeding, breast milk in another. This method cannot be called optimal, but if mom has to leave home, then it is the only possible one. To maintain lactation, it is worth giving the baby a breast at least 3 times a day. Before going to bed, it can be fed with a mixture, and at night - applied to the chest.
The second option is preferable, as it allows you to gradually increase lactation. In one feeding, the baby is offered first one breast, then the second, after - supplementary feeding, at the end - the breast. It may well be that the child will eat very little formula or refuse it altogether. No need to insist if the baby turns away from food and does not open his mouth.
This scheme should be followed from the first morning feeding until the last evening feeding. At night, the baby should be offered only the breast. It is especially important to feed the crumbs in the interval from 3 am to 6 am. Sucking during this period activates the production of prolactin, the hormone responsible for lactation.
Be sure to breastfeed your baby at night
What to give supplement to a child? With a small amount suitable:
- Soft little silicone spoon. It should be filled ½ and poured on the baby's cheek. The second portion can be given when the baby completely swallows the first.
- Pipette. You need to draw the mixture into it, put the tip in the corner of the child's lips and squeeze out the contents.
- Syringe without a needle. It is required to direct it to the inner surface of the cheek and squeeze out the liquid, evenly pressing the piston. In this case, the child can "help" by making sucking movements.
- Small cup with thin walls. The infant should be seated in a semi-vertical position with support for the head, neck and back. The cup should be placed so that the liquid touches his lower lip. He will begin to lap or sip the mixture. The cup must be gently and slowly lifted so that the liquid level does not change. Do not pour milk directly into the baby's throat.
If the volume of supplementary feeding is large or none of the methods fit, you can use a bottle. It is important that the hole in the nipple is small. Due to this, the baby will have to make an effort to get food, and the horn will not have an advantage over the breast. The bottle must be held so that there is always liquid in the nipple, otherwise the baby will swallow air, and his stomach will hurt.
The amount of food and feeding regimen
The attitude of domestic and foreign pediatricians to the feeding regimen and the amount of mixture in mixed feeding is different. Let's consider both options.
Domestic practice
Feeding by the hour is not the best practice
Meals should take place at regular intervals - 2-3.5 hours. In the first 14 days, a baby needs 8-10 meals a day, up to 6 months - 6-7, up to 1 year - 5.
Total daily food requirement for a child:
- up to 2 weeks - 2% of body weight multiplied by the number of days of life;
- 2 months - 20% of the weight;
- up to 4 - 17%;
- up to 6 - 14%;
- up to 1 year - 11-13%.
To find out how much a baby should eat at a time, you should divide the daily requirement by the number of feedings. How to correctly distribute the total volume between milk and formula? It is necessary to weigh the crumbs before and after applying to the breast. So you can determine the amount of milk eaten by him. The amount that is not enough to a single serving should be supplemented with a mixture.
International practice
Foreign experts suggest focusing on the mode of urination. Mom should do a wet diaper test and determine how many times the baby still needs to pee to get the standard value (12 times). The amount of food that is needed to compensate for each urination depends on age:
- 3 months - 30 ml;
- 4 - 40 ml;
- 5 - 50 ml;
- 6 - 60 ml.
For example, a child at 4 months pees 9 times a day. In addition, he needs 120 ml of the mixture. This amount should be divided by the number of feedings. With It is advisable to read wet diapers once a week. This will allow you to regulate the amount of supplementary feeding, as well as cancel it in time.
Children who receive breast milk from the first days of life are less likely to suffer from infectious diseases and allergic reactions. With insufficient lactation, you should not immediately transfer the baby to an adapted mixture, it is better to use it as a supplement. If you do not reduce the number of attachments to the breast and do not use breast substitutes (bottles, pacifiers), breastfeeding can be maintained long time. After introducing complementary foods (vegetables, fruits, cereals) into the baby's menu at 6 months, portions of the mixture should be gradually reduced, while maintaining the volume of breast milk.