Breast, bottle, or both? How to feed your baby

Feeding your newborn is one of the most important things you’ll do as a new parent. Whether you breastfeed, bottle feed, or do a combination of the two, you give your little one the nourishment they need to grow up healthy and strong.

As your due date gets close, it’s a good idea to think about the approach you’d like to take. Then once your baby is here, you can see what works best. Your plan may unfold without a hitch—or you may end up on a different path. Just remember that whatever happens, it’s okay. Your baby will still be able to thrive. Read on to learn about your options.

Option #1: You can breastfeed.

Breast milk is packed with all the nutrients your baby needs, and it’s easy to digest, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Breast milk also contains antibodies. Those are proteins your body makes to protect your baby against infection and strengthen their immune system. That will help them fight off illnesses.

Your breast milk will change to meet your infant’s nutritional needs as they grow, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA):

• Just after birth, your milk is thick and golden yellow. It is rich in nutrients to help your baby’s digestive system grow.
• Over the next few days, breast milk turns a bluish-white color.
• About 10 to 15 days after birth, you’ll start making mature milk.

Breastfeeding offers benefits to mom too, says ob-gyn Maureen Whelihan, M.D. It can help you recover from childbirth more quickly. Breastfeeding produces the hormone oxytocin. That’s a chemical messenger that tells your uterus to contract (or get smaller) after delivery. The contractions help your uterus return to its prepregnancy size.

Breast milk requires no purchase or preparation, says the AAP. Not having to buy formula can cut down on costs.

You can also pump breast milk and store it in the freezer or fridge. That way, a partner or sitter can help by feeding your baby breast milk from a bottle. This gives you some freedom from being the sole milk provider.

It’s important to remember that breastfeeding can be challenging for some new moms. It may take time for you and your baby to get used to it. If you’re having trouble, talk to your doctor about how you can get lactation support. (You can also connect with Blue KC Care Management for guidance; reach us through the app or by calling 816-395-2060.)

You might have other problems or discomforts too. For example, some women get a breast infection called mastitis while nursing. Your breast might be tender, painful, and red, according to the March of Dimes. Mastitis is usually easy to treat, so it shouldn’t discourage you from nursing.

And if breastfeeding isn’t an option that works for you, that’s okay too, says the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

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Option #2: You can use formula.

Formula feeding is another option for parents. Commercial formula provides excellent nutrition for your baby. It offers the right blend of vitamins, proteins, fats, and sugars your baby needs to grow.

Most babies do well with a cow’s milk–based formula that’s fortified with iron, according to the National Library of Medicine. There are also hypoallergenic formulas (designed for babies who may have certain allergies) and soy formulas. There are even specialized formulas for premature babies. Ask your pediatrician which kind of formula would be best for your baby.

One advantage of formula feeding is that it can give you more freedom and flexibility than nursing. You don’t have to pump or schedule work or other activities around your baby’s feedings. Plus, your partner or another caregiver can participate. “The significant other gets to be part of the bonding process [of feeding], which is great for a new family,” says Dr. Whelihan.

Formula isn’t always as easy to digest as breast milk, and some babies may not tolerate specific types. If formula is causing them to vomit, talk to your baby’s pediatrician. Your doctor may suggest another one to try. “Sometimes it’s trial and error to find the right one,” Dr. Whelihan says.

A word of caution: Don’t try to make your own formula at home, advises the AAP. Online recipes may have too little or too much of important nutrients. And that can cause serious health problems for your baby.

Option #3: You can do both.

You can switch back and forth between breastfeeding and formula feeding. That is known as combination or mixed feeding, according to the USDA. It may give you the best of both worlds.

Breastfeeding will give your baby antibodies and help your body recover from childbirth. And formula feeding lets other caregivers share the feeding duties. For example, you might nurse for one feeding, and your partner might do a bottle feeding the next time the baby gets hungry. Combination feeding can also give you more flexibility, so you aren’t tied to your baby’s nursing schedule. It makes it easier to run errands, take a mental health break, or head to work.

The USDA recommends waiting to start combination feeding until you’ve been breastfeeding regularly and have a good milk supply. Once your baby has the hang of nursing, the combo approach may be smoother for both of you. Your doctor can suggest the best timing for you.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.