Mixed breast milk: is it safe and how is it given?

Many mothers mix breast milk with formula (sufor) for their babies for various reasons during breastfeeding. Giving breast milk mixed with formula (sufor) means that it is done alternately and intermittently.

However, there are also mothers who try to mix breast milk and formula milk in a bottle for the baby to drink. The reason is, in this way the mother can maximize nutritional intake for the baby apart from just breastfeeding.

Actually, how should breastfeed vs proper formula feed?

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Is it safe to give sufor if you previously drank breast milk?

Various things can underlie the mother's decision to switch from breastfeeding to formula milk (sufor). Mothers can actually switch to formula only or combine formula milk with breast milk.

The addition of formula milk to the baby's daily intake can be caused by the mother returning to work. Working mothers who are breastfeeding sometimes find it difficult to use a breast pump.

As a result, mothers prefer to give formula milk to their babies when they are working.

Another reason for mothers is that they feel that they are not providing enough breast milk for their babies. This condition makes babies seem not getting enough milk to support their growth and development.

Breast milk vs formula, which is better?

From the various myths of breastfeeding mothers and the challenges of breastfeeding mothers, breast milk is certainly better than formula milk.

Breastfeeding is especially important for babies under six months of age, especially if early initiation of breastfeeding is applied from birth.

This is because there are many benefits of breast milk for mothers and babies as well as the nutritional content of breast milk that is good for babies.

Interestingly, the content of breast milk does not have the risk of making cavities while formula milk (sufor) is more likely to cause holes in the teeth.

This is because formula milk has a high sugar content. When milk sticks to the gums and teeth, bacteria have room to multiply, causing cavities.

That is why mothers are encouraged to be diligent in cleaning baby teeth after breastfeeding and formula milk to prevent cavities.

Keep in mind that the longer you breastfeed your baby, the better.

It does not matter if you are breastfeeding once or twice a day and alternating it with formula milk.

So, if you want to give formula milk to your baby for some reason, it's best to keep it combined with breast milk whenever possible.

When to give mixed breast milk for babies?

Breast milk is the single best food for a baby until he is six months old. After six months, he started to need more nutritional intake.

This is why breastfeeding alone at the age of six months is not able to meet the daily nutritional needs of the baby so that complementary foods can be given ASI (MPASI).

Ideally, if possible you should not give formula milk or any other food and drink other than breast milk before the baby is six months old.

The reason is, all the baby's needs can be fulfilled only with breast milk. Breast milk also will not cause problems with digestion which is still developing.

Meanwhile, over the age of six months, breastfeeding mixed with formula (sufor) may be a consideration for you.

It's just that, if it turns out that your breast milk is still sufficient for the baby's daily needs even though he is more than six months old, it's better to rely on breast milk rather than sufor.

In essence, if you can continue to maximize your milk production for your little one until he is two years old, you should still prioritize breast milk.

Apart from being cheaper, there are many benefits of breast milk for babies and mothers if the giving is continued until the little one is two years old, namely:

• Ensuring that the baby's nutritional needs are fulfilled. Breast milk is still a good food for your little one even though he has eaten solid food.
• Prevent babies from various diseases. Breast milk contains antibodies from the mother that can make the baby more immune to disease.
• Maternal health is also getting better. Not only babies, mothers also benefit from continued breastfeeding.
• The bond between mother and child becomes stronger. Breastfeeding is not only beneficial for physical health, but for the bond between mother and baby.

Interestingly, breast milk is beneficial for both mother and baby because it can strengthen the bond between mother and child in the bond between mother and mother if breastfeeding is continued for up to two years.

What causes mixed breastfeeding?

As previously explained, giving breast milk mixed with formula (sufor) for babies is necessary under certain conditions.

Indeed, exclusive breastfeeding for six months is a good start for the baby's growth and development.

However, there are various underlying causes why breast milk vs formula milk can be given alternately:

The mother has problems breastfeeding

There are several problems with breastfeeding mothers that can hinder breastfeeding. Launching from Pregnancy Birth and Baby, problems during breastfeeding include the following:

• The nipples are sore, cracked, until they bleed
• Blocked milk ducts in the breast
• Experiencing mastitis or breast inflammation
• The blood vessels in the nipples tighten, preventing normal blood flow
• The mother's nipple is flat or goes inside, so sometimes it is difficult for the baby to feed
• The baby is not properly attached to the breast, either because of the wrong technique, the baby's tongue is not in the correct breastfeeding position, has cleft lip, etc.
• The baby refuses to breastfeed

If this breastfeeding problem is experienced by the mother when the baby is less than six months old, the solution can be to pump the milk and give it through a pacifier bottle.

However, if this occurs when a baby is more than six months old, breastfeeding mixed with formula (sufor) can be another solution.

Don't forget, if you are pumping breastmilk but it is not given to the baby immediately, make sure that the method of storing breast milk that you do is correct.

Lack of mother's milk production

Breastfeeding mixed with formula (sufor) can also be done when the mother's milk production is not too much.

If the mother's milk is lacking, automatically the baby's daily intake can also be less.

If the baby is less than six months old, the mother's lack of milk production can be tricked by giving formula milk to support the baby's growth and development.

Meanwhile, if the baby is over six months old, you can give formula milk alternately with breast milk accompanied by solids.

It is better to pay attention when the mother's milk production is low or appears to be reduced compared to before.

Because sometimes, the low supply of breast milk may only be temporary and will eventually return to normal.

On the other hand, low milk production can be due to insufficient breast tissue to produce milk.

This condition can be caused by having had breast surgery before or experiencing other medical conditions.

If breastmilk production is still out, even though it is not too much, breast milk mixed with formula (sufor) can still be done to help meet the needs of the baby.

Low baby weight

Sometimes, breastfeeding alone is not able to increase the baby's weight so it needs help from formula milk.

Every baby basically grows in different ways, including in terms of gaining weight.

Each baby's weight will usually change at the same time. Within a certain time, the baby's weight can temporarily decrease due to difficulty eating.

The baby will gain weight back in a short time after being able to eat again as before.

But on the other hand, it can be difficult for babies to gain weight due to certain medical conditions.

That is why, in this case, babies need breast milk mixed with formula milk that is given alternately to help meet their daily nutritional needs.

Not at home

Another cause of mixed formula (sufor) breastfeeding is the discomfort of breastfeeding in public or outside the home.

Actually, the mother's milk production is still sufficient for the baby's needs, it's just that the mother may not have had time to pump or prefers breastfeeding at home.

So when you are outside the house, you prefer to give formula milk when the baby is hungry.

Some things may also be a sign that the baby needs additional intake of formula milk, apart from breast milk:

• Your breasts don't feel light or empty after breastfeeding. This could be a sign that the baby is not getting enough milk.
• Babies older than 5 days urinate less than 6 times per day. Babies are also fussy and look lethargic throughout the day.

Several reasons for alternating breastfeeding with formula (sufor) as above can be considered according to your condition and your baby.

Is it safe to give mixed breast milk for babies?

Basically, giving breast milk mixed with formula (sufor) for babies is fairly safe. This means that breastfeeding and formula milk can be done alternately.

You can give breast milk to your baby several times a day and continue with formula milk.

However, before giving breast milk mixed with formula (sufor) for babies, you should first know the right way.

ASI mixed with sufor, can it be in one bottle?

After knowing that breastfeeding mixed with formula (sufor) is actually safe, you still have to know the rules for giving it.

You may be wondering about breastfeeding mixed formula milk (sufor) in the same bottle of nipples.

According to La Leche League International, breastfeeding and formula feeding are better done separately but still alternately.

So, mixed breast milk here means not given together in one bottle, but can be given alternately.

If you really want to give your child formula milk, you should not mix it in one bottle with breast milk for one feeding session.

Give formula milk at a different time than breast milk, for example, supportive in the morning and in the afternoon breastfeeding schedule.

The reason behind this is because mixing breast milk and formula milk can make breast milk wasted if it is not consumed by the baby.

In other words, breast milk mixed with formula (sufor) in the same bottle can make the baby's milk intake less than optimal.

In fact, you are still able to provide a large portion of breast milk for the baby. Over time, maybe the amount of breast milk will decrease because production is not maximized.

So it is better if breastfeeding and formula milk can be done alternately at different times and places.

In addition, giving breast milk mixed with formula (sufor) in the same bottle can have an effect on nutrition.

This is another reason why breastfeeding vs formula milk should be done separately or separately.

How do I give breast milk and sufor?

Breastfeeding mixed with formula (sufor) can be done gradually until the baby gets used to it.

You can actually give formula milk before or after the baby is breastfed, either from the breast directly or from the bottle.

Try to consult further with your doctor to get the best advice regarding when to give formula milk to babies.

The doctor can suggest alternating times of breastfeeding and formula milk according to the baby's condition.

The reason is, each different condition requires a different approach to breastfeeding and formula milk.