When it comes to feeding newborns, breastfeeding is usually the preferred choice, but sometimes supplementing with formula may be necessary due to reasons such as insufficient breast milk. In such cases, a careful consideration of combining breastfeeding and formula feeding is needed to ensure the baby’s healthy growth.
When implementing mixed feeding, various strategies can be flexibly adopted: first, try having the baby suckle on breast milk, and if not enough, then supplement with an appropriate amount of formula, which can help stimulate breast milk production. Another method is to primarily use breast milk as the main source of food, only adding a small amount of formula when necessary. Additionally, you can set a fixed number of times to alternately provide breast milk and formula, or use formula during the day and revert to breastfeeding at night, or even alternate with each feeding.
It’s worth noting that mixed feeding is more beneficial for babies compared to fully artificial feeding, but still not as beneficial as exclusive breastfeeding. Therefore, during mixed feeding, make sure to provide breast milk first each time, encourage thorough sucking, and then adjust the amount of supplementary formula based on the baby’s needs and breast milk production, ensuring that the baby is well-fed and digesting properly.
Hygiene and safety are equally crucial. When preparing formula, it is essential to keep the environment and tools clean, wash hands before use, sterilize the bottles, and control the storage conditions of the liquid to avoid contamination and spoilage. Be cautious when changing formula brands or types to prevent frequent changes that may cause the baby to have difficulty adapting or refuse to eat.
In general, maintaining the core position of breast milk is important during mixed feeding, adjusting the amount of supplemental formula based on the actual situation, paying attention to the baby’s acceptance and growth development status, ensuring that the feeding process is both scientific and caring.
