Feeding breast milk and formula at the same time. Chair with mixed feeding. Options for organizing mixed feeding

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 the unpleasant consequences of mixed feeding, the following rules must be followed:

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 keep 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 preserve 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 child 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 quite explained individual feature 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.

It's no secret that breast milk is the ideal food for a newborn. But there are situations when the baby has to be fed from a bottle. How to do it right?

When is the need for mixed feeding

Young mothers learn about the benefits of breastfeeding babies even before they take their first child in their arms. Surely they were told about this by their grandmothers, and their mother, and the doctor in the antenatal clinic, and friends who already have children. Many young women, giving birth, are configured exclusively for breastfeeding. After all, this type of food is best for their child. Mother's milk is always at the right temperature and ideal in composition for the baby. But sometimes reality makes its own adjustments. And you have to supplement the baby with a mixture.

Mixed feeding is called such a nutrition system for an infant when, along with breast milk She also receives supplementary feeding with an adapted milk formula. Moreover, the amount of the mixture is equal to or less than the volume of breast milk received by the child. When is supplementation needed?

Such a need may arise if mother's milk does not provide the child with everything necessary for growth and development. nutrients. But how to understand that mother's milk is not enough? The child often cries after eating, is restless - this may indicate that he did not eat enough. You can do a wet diaper test. Ideally, a baby will pee 12 to 25 times a day. If the amount of urination is much less, then the child does not have enough mother's milk. It is also important to monitor the weight of the crumbs. If during the first half of the year he gains weight less than 600 grams per month, then he needs to be supplemented.

Sometimes a woman decides to introduce complementary foods when she feels that there is less milk in her breast than before. This happens during the so-called lactation crises. This is the period of natural decrease in the amount of breast milk. This is a temporary phenomenon. Crises usually occur at 3, 7 and 12 months of a child's life. Young mothers are worried that the child more often than before, requires breasts, because they do not eat up, as usual. This is followed by the decision to bottle supplement. Lactation consultants recommend not to rush into such a decision, because the crisis usually lasts 3-7 days, after which the amount of milk returns to normal. During this difficult period, it is worth putting the baby to the breast more often and drinking herbal teas to support lactation.

Sometimes the need for supplementary feeding arises if a young mother needs to return to work or school.

It happens that supplementary feeding with special mixtures or mixtures with medicinal properties necessary due to a disease of the chest.

Mixed feeding: basic rules

It is worth saying that the introduction of supplementary feeding, as well as the choice of mixture and method of feeding, should be discussed with the pediatrician. It will help determine the required amount of supplementary feeding.

As a rule, by the age of three months, a baby needs about 30 ml of formula milk per feeding. From three to six months - 40-60 milliliters. Supplementary feeding should be introduced gradually, starting with ten milliliters per feeding, systematically bringing it to normal.

Prepare the mixture according to the instructions on the package.

An important rule when introducing mixed feeding: at the beginning of feeding, the child should receive breast milk, and only then the mixture. Watch how the baby's body reacts to changes in nutrition, whether there are any allergies or indigestion. The mixture may need to be replaced.

If the child does not eat all the prepared mixture, then you should not force him.

It is better to give supplements from a spoon, you can use a syringe or a special “breastfeeding system”. It consists of a container for the mixture, connected to a special thin tube (medical catheter for feeding). The tube is attached to the skin of the breast with a patch so that its end is at the level of the upper edge of the nipple. Thus, the baby receives supplementary food at the same time as mother's milk.

Breastfeeding consultants do not recommend giving formula from a bottle. After all, this can discourage a child from taking a breast - after all, it is much more difficult to “extract” milk from it. If you still decide to use a bottle, then make sure that the nipple on it is with small holes so that the baby eats with effort, as with breastfeeding.

At night, you should try to breastfeed your baby only. This is easier for mom, and stimulates lactation. After all, between 3 and 8 o'clock in female body The hormone prolactin, which produces breast milk, is most actively produced.

Sometimes there is a need to replace one or more formula feedings, for example when the mother is away. In such cases, you need to put the baby to the breast more often when possible. This will help maintain lactation, which is so beneficial for the baby!

But if, nevertheless, it was not possible to maintain breastfeeding, you should not be very upset. Properly selected mixture will help the child grow stronger and grow smart and healthy. And for the little man, the care, care and love that he receives from his mother is still very important - it doesn’t matter if she breastfeeds or bottles him.

Specially for -Ksenia Boyko

Mixed feeding is feeding, during which infant formula takes up no more than half of the total diet of the baby. They transfer their children to such a diet for various reasons. And at right approach if a woman took into account all the rules of mixed feeding, then she can easily return to a full-fledged breastfeeding or transfer the child to baby food. But how long should a mixed type of feeding last, with what and how to properly organize, what needs to be done in order to preserve breast milk to the maximum. All these problems worry new moms when they want to include formula in their diet. To understand these issues, it is necessary to understand the reason why the mother decided to take this step and transferred the baby to a mixed type of feeding.

There are three main situations due to which mothers transfer their children to a mixed diet:

a small amount of breast milk;
a woman taking drugs that are incompatible with breastfeeding;
periodic absence of a mother with a child associated with going to workplace or to study.

The lack of milk in the mother's breast is the main reason why women transfer to mixed feeding baby. But if the child behaves restlessly or not so rapidly, according to the newly-made mother, is gaining weight, this does not at all prove the fact that the child needs supplementary feeding. There are specific signs by which you can easily understand that the baby is receiving malnutrition. Initially, you should monitor how many times a day the child empties his bladder. In the natural state of affairs, the number of urination should not be less than 7 per day. With regards to the chair, ideally it happens up to 5 times a day. But the complete absence of bowel movements with unimpaired urination may indicate the presence of constipation in an infant, which may indicate other health problems. Often it is constipation that makes the child nervous and leads to a restless state, which inexperienced mothers mistake for insufficient milk in the breast, justifying the transition to a mixed diet.

The risk of needing to switch to mixed feeding of a newborn may be due to the fact that the child is not gaining enough in the weight category in the first six months of life - less than 600 g in one month. If the lag in weight is noticed at the 5th month of life, then you can try to introduce complementary foods into the children's diet a little earlier than planned, and not transfer the child to a mixed type of food. Also, an alarming call that breast milk may not be enough for the baby is considered if the breasts begin to fill poorly, and the amount of milk in the process of decanting has decreased. But it may seem so to a very suspicious mother, therefore, without consulting with specialists and other signs of a decrease in the level of lactation, there is no need to switch to mixed feeding.

Options for organizing mixed feeding

You can organize the process of mixed feeding in two ways, depending on which option is more suitable for the mother:

At each meal, the baby is first fed with breast milk and then supplemented with infant formula. The advantages of this method: frequent attachment to the mother's breast stimulates an increase in the level of lactation, which helps to maintain and increase the likelihood of switching to exclusively breastfeeding.
The child is offered alternately breast and baby food. That is, for one meal, the baby receives either mother's milk or infant formula. This method is more preferred by a nursing parent who is forced to go to the workplace. This method of feeding is considered less recommended because it adversely affects the production of breast milk.

Important! If it is more convenient for the mother to organize mixed feeding of the newborn according to the second method, then it is recommended to breastfeed the baby at least three times a day. It is better to give preference to night and morning attachments, when the highest milk content is concentrated in the mother's breast.

Power Mode Diagram

During the transition to a mixed or artificial type of feeding, many mothers make mistakes, as a result of which they overfeed their own children, which is not good. Frequent meals adversely affect the functionality of the young intestine, since baby food is processed more slowly than natural mother's milk. Therefore, it is recommended to adhere to certain principles in the process of feeding: in the initial weeks of life, an infant needs up to 10 feedings per day, children under the age of six months are fed up to 7 per day, and babies over 6 months old need 5 feedings.

in the first 14 days of life, the daily dosage of food should be at least 2% of its weight, multiplied by the number of days lived by the baby;
for children older than two weeks and up to 2 months, the volume of food should be 1/5 of their total mass;
a child aged 2 to 4 months is entitled to 1/6 of their weight;
from 4 to 6 months - 1/7 of the weight;
for children who have passed the six-month age limit, 1/8-1/9 of their mass is enough.

To understand how large one serving should be, you need to divide the recommended daily amount of food by the number of breastfeedings.

It is advisable to start with a gradual addition baby food in the baby's diet. Experts recommend starting with 15 ml. If, after the introduction of a new food, no violations were noticed, then you can gradually increase the dosage until the required volume is reached.

Advice! It is better to feed the child with one type of mixture, since the child's body is not strong enough and is not yet ready for an abundance of new foods. For the same reasons, you should not often replace mixtures that have already been included in the diet.

Pros and cons of mixed feeding

The mixed type of feeding has its positive and negative aspects, which every mother must know about, transferring her child to a similar type of nutrition.

Negative aspects of mixed feeding:

Frequent feeding of infant formula can cause allergic reactions for dairy products.
Chair change. Constipation is a common occurrence in infants during mixed feeding.
Even the most attentive mother is not immune from the fact that her child may suffer from dysbacteriosis, accompanied by pain in the abdomen.
The intestinal microflora in children on breastfeeding and mixed feeding differs from each other. Even a minimal amount of supplementary feeding can negatively affect the microflora of the newborn.
Some components found in baby food are less absorbed in the baby's body than those present in breast milk. Therefore, mixtures cannot fully replace mother's milk and the amount of useful elements.

Mother's milk is the most useful thing a child can get at such a young age. Therefore, it is necessary to maximize the percentage of its content in the children's diet.

Even mixed nutrition has a number of positive qualities:

Despite the fact that the child is fed with infant formula, he is still not deprived of useful substances, since he is breastfed.
The mother has the opportunity to leave the baby with relatives, which increases his horizons of communication, and it is easier for the mother, because she can continue to work or study.
The contact between mother and child is not disturbed, since breastfeeding is still present in the diet.

If the mother does not have the opportunity to fully breastfeed the child, then mixed feeding comes to the rescue. How to properly feed the baby, so as not to harm the child, experts will help determine. Therefore, before switching to mixtures, it is advisable to consult a doctor.

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 disease . 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 the newborn, the 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 feeding is to provide the baby with nutrients for the period when the woman does not have enough milk.

With the right approach and the absence of serious health problems within 1-2 months, you can completely abandon supplementary feeding.

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.