Is It OK to Breastfeed and Formula Feed at the Same Time?

Many parents both breastfeed and formula feed at the same time. It’s called supplementing, and it’s perfectly okay to do this. Sometimes it may be necessary to supplement, such as when a mother has a low amount of breast milk, while other times it might just be more convenient to supplement. Either way, it’s perfectly okay. There may even be medical reasons for supplementing. However, it’s worth noting that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend breastfeeding exclusively for the first four to six months of a child’s life. According to the AAP and WHO, after these first months, breastfeeding should be continued while solid food is introduced. However, the organizations don’t advise against formula feeding/supplementation during this time.

You may make the decision to supplement if:

• Your child was born prematurely or has certain medical issues
• You, as a mother, have a low supply of breast milk for any reason
• You’re going back to work
• You have multiple children
• Your partner wants to participate in feeding
• It’s just your personal preference

We can help you make your decision here at Olivero Pediatrics! We’ll help you understand and consider the factors involved before you make your decision.

Sometimes a medical professional will recommend supplementation. Most of the time, though, a professional will recommend breastfeeding exclusively, but supplementation may be best or necessary when:

• A newborn has lost body weight early in their life
• A newborn gains weight too slowly early in life
• A baby is having too few wet diapers during the day
• A baby is very fussy and isn’t satisfied after feeding

It’s important to introduce the formula properly, which means getting professional advice about it. Your body has to adjust to supplementation, and so will your child’s body. These adjustments are typically pretty easy, but there may be complications. Keep reading to learn more.

Generally, children will adjust pretty easily to supplementation, but professional support is still recommended. During the process, a baby may:

• Refuse the bottle
• Refuse the breast
• Experience changes to their bowel movements
• Not seem quite as hungry as quickly after formula feedings

Here at Olivero Pediatrics, we can help you decide whether to do supplementation, and we can also help you interpret the changes your baby goes through during supplementation. Reach out to us at our clinic for anything else you’d like to know about supplementation and how we can help your baby grow and develop into a happy, healthy child.

To learn more, reach out to Olivero Pediatrics today. Our clinic is located at 1243 Skytop Mountain Rd. Suite 4, Port Matilda, PA 16870, and you can reach us at (814) 256-4466. You’re more than welcome to make a consultation or appointment with us if you would like to speak to a fully capable pediatrician about supplementation and your baby’s health.

We look forward to hearing from you soon at Olivero Pediatrics in State College, Port Matilda PA!