Mixed breastfeeding: combining breast and bottle - Élhée

Mixed breastfeeding: combining breast and bottle

CONTENTS :


Mixed or partial breastfeeding allows a child to be fed both breast and bottle, with breast milk and infant milk, depending on the schedule. With this type of feeding, the mother is no longer the only one involved! In fact, it's possible to involve the spouse or life partner.

That said, mixed breastfeeding isn't always easy to set up and to get baby to accept, and it sometimes requires patience and flexibility in the organization of parents, especially mothers. Here's a detailed look at how to do it and, above all, how to get around any obstacles.

 

History of mixed breastfeeding in France and around the world

But first, a little history to better understand the state of breastfeeding in France and beyond! 🌎

Mixed breastfeeding is an ancient concept, now firmly established in modern society. According to this source article, the term first appeared in France in 1806 in a work by H. de Montgamy entitled Méthodes d'allaitement artificiel simple et d'allaitement mixte.

But if you go back to the Middle Ages, you'll find that exclusive breastfeeding was in fact the only way to feed your baby properly for the first two years of life, with supplements administered quite early on, based on porridge, as soon as the first teeth appear.

 

Exclusive breastfeeding, on the other hand, is very little practiced worldwide today, despite the recommendations of the World Health Organization and many pediatricians, who recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, for the health of babies... Weaning therefore occurs early in a baby's life in many countries, particularly the poorest, on average at the end of the first 3 months.

In some countries, such as Brazil, many parents introduce supplements (herbal teas, sweetened drinks, water) very early in the child's life (sometimes as early as the first day of life), thinking they are doing the right thing and thus enriching their diet.

 

Mixed breastfeeding, which is sometimes perceived by pediatricians and the medical profession in general as a form of control over infant feeding introduced by industrial society and brand names, can provide relief for many mothers and respond to certain problems, such as the return to work or the intense need for rest on the part of breastfeeding mothers or those already managing a household with several children...

 

When should you start mixed breastfeeding?

The idea behind mixed breastfeeding, more often than not among the French population, is that of the mother's need for freedom, whether voluntary or not.

  • End of maternity leave: 10 weeks have passed (18 if you've just given birth to your 3rd child) and you have to go back to work. You'll soon no longer be able to feed your newborn.
  • Thirst for time to yourself : you enjoy a sporting, cultural or relaxation activity that you'd like to resume one or more times a week. This means you'll have to be away from your baby's mealtimes from time to time.
  • Wanting to share : you want to give your other half the opportunity to feed your baby from the very first months. To do this, you'd like your child to accept bottles of milk.
  • You simply want to stop breastfeeding.

 

Whatever your reason, to make sure everything goes smoothly, there's only one watchword: an-ti-ci-per. 

 

When should you start mixed feeding from a physiological point of view?

For successful mixed breastfeeding, baby needs to accept both the breast and a bottle of milk (artificial or otherwise), without this disrupting his feeding pattern. For your part, lactation must be well established. It is therefore advisable towait at least 6 weeks before starting, and not to start mixed feeding from the very first days.

This leaves you time to focus as a mother on one mission at a time, in this case: the production of breast milk and everything that helps milk to come in (nutrient-rich foods, herbal teas, sessions with a lactation consultant, etc.).

 

If you've just experienced a traumatic birth, such as a caesarean section or forceps delivery, unisex breastfeeding allows you to refocus on yourself and your baby for the first month.

This precaution also helps toavoid confusion confusion between breast and pacifier - and your baby turning from the breast to the pacifier because he realizes that it requires less sucking effort than the breast.

💡 Did you know?

Its effects are beneficial to you and your baby's health, both physically and psychologically. On the one hand, mixed breastfeeding allows you to pass on many benefits to your child: antibodies and nutrients essential to its development, but it also gives you greater freedom to recharge your batteries alone from time to time. And that's not all! Breastfeeding your baby reduces the risk of developing breast cancer during your lifetime. The longer you breastfeed, the lower the risk!

 

How to equip yourself as a parent for successful mixed breastfeeding

You'll need a few useful childcare accessories to get you through.

  • The breast pump. Not very sexy, either from an aesthetic point of view or for its little name, but learning to use it is one of the almost essential steps in breastfeeding and, alternatively, bottle-feeding. To choose the right breast pump, you'll need to choose between single and double, electric and manual models, and a range of technologies designed to stimulate milk flow. But thanks to a breast pump, your baby can enjoy bottles of breast milk at any time. A lightweight, space-saving breast pump will make it easier for you to get back to work.
  • A feeding bottle. One of the reasons we designed our Elhée bibRond is to facilitate the transition to mixed breastfeeding. Made from medical-grade silicone, it's almost as soft and just as round as your breast, to accompany baby through his milk break. Its teat, also made from extra-soft medical-grade silicone, protects your little one's health and helps him learn to suck. Its physiological shape adapts perfectly to babies' mouths. Finally, an anti-colic valve facilitates digestion after meals.

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  • An infant formula adapted to your child's age and nutritional needs, which you can give alternately before weaning him off your milk.

Of course, small jars for carrying powdered milk and freezing your own will come in handy, as will a little cleaning equipment, like a small sponge that's always clean and a bottle of organic washing-up liquid, for example.

 

Where to practice mixed breastfeeding?

1. Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding can be carried out as usual since the birth of your baby: in a quiet place, lightly dimmed if necessary, with no major distractions to prevent your child's attention being diverted. In France, you can safely breastfeed your baby in public places. Take precautions against the sun and temperature variations. It's best to give feeds in a shady corner, away from draughts.

 

2. Milk draws

To pump your milk in the best possible conditions, the ideal situation is to be comfortably seated in a chair or armchair, with your back straight and your legs flat. You can watch a news report during this time, or if the suction from the breast pump is strong enough to keep your hands free, why not read a chapter or two of your current book? 😉

In fact, milk expression sessions can sometimes take a long time... Allow an average of 10 minutes per breast, i.e. twice as long if your breast pump is a single pump.

If you're modest, isolate yourself in the room of your choice and let those around you know that you don't want to be disturbed. Embarrassment has no real impact on lactation or milk production, but you'll feel more comfortable expressing milk away from prying eyes.

 

3. Bottle-feeding

Bottle-feeding, whether with infant or breast milk, can take place in a different room from the one in which you choose to breastfeed. This way, your baby will know the difference between the different types of food you offer, and will be less surprised when it's time to eat. Once again, a calm atmosphere conducive to future digestion is essential!

 

How to alternate breast milk and formula milk?

The key here is to find the right rhythm to satisfy both your baby's hunger and your respective need for contact.

To wean your baby off your milk, start by replacing a single feed for at least 5 days. If all goes well, baby is eating well, his weight gain remains stable, he's not clamoring for more than he should, and you're not suffering from breast engorgement, you can proceed in the same way to gradually replace each of the day's other feeds.

Please note: to continue mixed breastfeeding over time, keep to at least 2 feeds a day. This will stimulate your milk production and help your little one to get into the habit of latching on. Morning and evening feeds, as well as the one when you return home, are undoubtedly the most important.

 

Which infant formula is closest to breast milk?

This is a difficult and almost impossible question to answer, as breast milk regularly changes in taste and consistency depending on the time of year and what you eat and drink. For example, at birth, the colostrum supplied by the mother tastes like amniotic fluid, which reassures baby.

However, choose an infant formula adapted to your baby's age (first-age, second-age or follow-on milk) and avoid classic cow's milk, goat's milk and plant-based milks before at least 12 months.

 

How much milk should I give my baby?

Exclusive breastfeeding is done on demand, while bottle-fed babies are fed at fixed times and quantities. So, is mixed breastfeeding a real headache or a total feeling? In reality, once again, it all depends on your baby. In fact, some mothers prefer to talk about partial breastfeeding, which breaks down this 50/50 notion and avoids asking too many questions about a possible schedule to keep! ⌚

If, since you started mixed breastfeeding, you've been prioritizing morning and evening feeds and gradually replacing daytime feeds with bottles, follow the guide That means baby! Is your child a regular eater of small quantities? Plan several light feeds throughout the day. If, on the other hand, he or she likes to suckle for long periods, a large 330 ml bottle (fitted with a slow-flow teat) is more interesting.

 

What if baby refuses the bottle?

Alternating bottle-feeding and breast-feeding may be the ideal solution for you, but it can be totally unpleasant for your child. Disrupted in his habits, he may refuse the pacifier and put off the bottle every time you introduce it to him. What should you do?

First and foremost, and especially if you want to prolong mixed breastfeeding, reserve the feeds for yourself and delegate the other meals. Pass the baton on to dad or the person who shares your life, to the nanny, the nursery staff or the older siblings. This separation helps children to get used to and accept both breastfeeding with you and bottle-feeding with another person.

Still stuck?

Perhaps you could try a lukewarm bottle at a temperature close to that of breast milk (37°C) or, conversely, a bottle at room temperature for a completely different sensation that she might like.

 

What if you ran out of milk?

Reducing the number of daily feedings can lead to a drop in milk production. To avoid this, keep stimulating your breasts as much as possible. The remaining feeds will help, but apart from these gentle moments, don't hesitate to express your milk, if possible at regular times. You can freeze it in doses ready for baby, or, if he refuses to take it from the bottle, express it anyway and then throw it away, simply to maintain lactation.

Galactogenic and tasty, don't forget breastfeeding herbal teas! As well as being good for your baby's tummy - they usually contain fennel, which helps relieve colic - they stimulate the milk supply.

 

3 additional tips & tricks in case of obstacles

Because things don't always go according to plan, and feeding can be more complicated than expected for baby, here are a few more tips on how to reconcile breast and bottle feeding.

  • Offer him a bottle often, without waiting until his hunger is too great. This way, the meal is not rushed, baby can take the time to discover this new feeding method, and the risk of failure is lower.
  • Soak the teat in breast milk for one or two minutes before feeding, to retain the scent.
  • Maintain or resume skin-to-skin contact. Being next to you reassures and soothes your child. Take the opportunity to offer him a bottle instead of the breast, so you're more likely to get him to accept.

Finally, to respect your baby's rhythm as much as possible, LecheLeague recommends horizontal feeding. Baby sits in a seated position in your arms, with his drink presented horizontally in relation to the floor. He takes a few sips and you lower the bottle to give him time to breathe and find his own rhythm. The milk doesn't flow too quickly, baby doesn't get scared, he breathes quietly, without the risk of swallowing air, and more easily takes pleasure in this new way of eating with you.

 

Conclusion of this article

  • Already widespread, mixed breastfeeding, also known as partial breastfeeding, and breast pumps are infant feeding concepts that are becoming increasingly popular with French mothers. And with good reason: they give you more freedom to get back to work. However, they should not be used from birth or for the first 2-3 weeks; it's better to wait until lactation is well established (around 1 month). 
  • Pediatricians and the WHO recommend prolonging breastfeeding until your child is 6 months old. But if you feel like it, you can of course continue beyond that! 
  • Many mothers are therefore equipping themselves with breast pumps and delegating the task of feeding to their partner. The effects of breastfeeding on the child's health are known to be positive; those offered by mixed breastfeeding are just as positive, and allow the mother to breathe a sigh of relief and take some time for herself! Mixed breastfeeding is often the first step towards weaning your child off breast milk. 
  • On Elhée's blog, you'll always find tips to better support you and your babies as moms.

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