Mixing Breast Milk with Formula - Page 2

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  1. May 24, '11 by
    Quote from BabyLady
    2. Nipple feeds....never, ever mix formula and breast milk. It is not the taste, but not wasting breast milk if the infant doesn't take the whole feeding.
    The unit where I work does not have any policy regarding mixing formula & EBM. Myself I usually put the breast milk in first and let the infant finish it first (or not) and then add formula to the same bottle to try to rinse any remaining EBM off the sides of the bottle. I may mix EBM & formula in the same bottle initially if I know the infant will get everything in that bottle whether by bottle or by gavaging remainder (i.e. I will not overfill the bottle any).
  2. May 25, '11 by
    Quote from TiffyRN
    The unit where I work does not have any policy regarding mixing formula & EBM. Myself I usually put the breast milk in first and let the infant finish it first (or not) and then add formula to the same bottle to try to rinse any remaining EBM off the sides of the bottle. I may mix EBM & formula in the same bottle initially if I know the infant will get everything in that bottle whether by bottle or by gavaging remainder (i.e. I will not overfill the bottle any).
    ...we are in agreement...this is exactly how I feed as well. We only mix it in the syringe because we can measure that exactly.
  3. Jun 29, '11 by
    We always mix our milk like that, I say no problemo. Plus, thats how we would fortify our milk is by adding formula to it.
  4. Jun 30, '11 by
    I mix them together all the time, and have never heard of it changing the composition of the breast milk itself. I only mix it for nipple feedings if I know the entire volume will be consumed in one way or another, but that's just so I don't waste it, not because of any kind of chemical change.
    It all mixes together in the tummy anyways...
  5. Aug 30, '12 by
    Breastmilk contains antibodies. When breastmilk is mixed with formula, the formula compromises the antibodies, especially the colostrum antibodies which when fed alone coats the gut wall with sIGA to protect the infant's gut from absorbing pathogens/allergens, and can help avoid sensitisizing the infant to the cow's milk protein in the formula.

    Ideally, when feeding both breastmilk and formula feeds, breastmilk should be given first and allowed to be digested somewhat before the formula is given fed. Yes, they will mix in the infant's gut, but the antibodies and ingredients that are specifc to breastmilk are used more effectively when feeds are provided separately.

    When responsible for several babies, this can be nearly impossible to do, but if can be done it should.

    Human Milk in the NICU: Practice to Policy by Dr. Lois Arnold-is an excellent resource. Many NICUs have implemented postive breastmilk feeding policies based on the research and evidence shared here. http://www.amazon.com/Human-Milk-NIC.../dp/0763761338