Mixing formula with ebm

[Jess988]

Has anyone done this? My lil boy is 7 weeks old, had a rough start to life. And has only just come out of hosp for the 2nd time and they were mixing formula with ebm to help
him put on weight. His only 2.88kg.

I just want to know if anyone does this why and wat formula did u use?

[~Bec~]

I expressed when DS was little as I had mucho bf problems. I didn't actually mix the 2 together in the same bottle but I always offered the ebm first and then, if I there wasn't enough he had a little bit of formula. As a general guide with regard to how much I found DS drank slightly more ebm than what he would do with formula, however in saying that it's really heartbreaking to waste ebm so I always gave him a bit less and then a bit of formula so that I wouldn't waste any ebm.

I was using Karicare gold to start with and then switched to Karicare soy.

[TripleTime]

Not me personally but friends of mine have.

Most of the time its been mixed 50/50 ratio for the amount their kids will drink.

[Jess988]

Thanks ladies. I just want to
beef him up. His so tiny. I might do some more reseach and
talk to my doc about it. His 7 weeks old and been in hosp for 5 weeks. So hasn't been able to put much weight on

[TripleTime]

There are calorie loaders you can give him to help beef him up, polyjule & carb plus are a few names.

Talk to you Pead. about it.

[Nanay]

I've done this when weaning DS to formula. Basically the most important part is that they are roughly the same temp. So what I did was I had a bottle of formula in the fridge and put ebm in the fridge in a bottle, when the time came for feeds, i just mixed them in one bottle or the other and warmed the bottle in a dish of hot water.

Or you could do what others have said, bf then give formula .. I did that as well coz I did not have enough milk so i bf'd then 50mls formula.

Its good to use what they used in the hospital. At least you know bubs will drink it and its okay for him to (some get constipation etc). Before I left the hospital i asked them what they were giving him and they wrote it down for me and sent DH off with the paper to the supermarket.

Dont worry bubs will be gaining weight before you know it.

[Feathers]

Yup. I did this for a while from day 3 in hospital til around 6 weeks old. She was constantly on my breast and never gained weight :no:

I was only getting 30-40 mls out of my breasts every 3-4 hours, so I just added that to what the formula tin suggested for her age and went from there.

I did it because I could see how much my DD was getting when I expressed. Plus I had my heart set on BFing, but due to supply that didnt work out. I wanted DD to get at least some benefit from what breast milk I DID have :)

It was so tiring expressing and then feeding her, but Im glad I stuck with it.

[Jess988]

Thanks for all your stories :-) tripletime I'm gonna talk to pead about it and see wat they say. Where can u buy those from?

[Jess988]

After looking on the net last night I'm pretty sure they were mixing karicare thickner. Does that sound right? Has anyone used that before?

I'm def gonna talk to gp, and
pead about these. Just to help me along. I'm
so scared that his starving and that he will lose weight.

[cazzie07]

Hey, dont have much advice- my son is still in hospital- but we were coming home within a week! Yay! He was prem- and now weighs 1.7kg so really needs to fatten up, so ill def be researching like you. Also i dont think he would be starving so try not to worry so much- if he was starving i think hed let ya know :-)

[TripleTime]

Thanks for all your stories :-) tripletime I'm gonna talk to pead about it and see wat they say. Where can u buy those from?


On script from the chemist or your Pead may refer you to a Dietitian.



After looking on the net last night I'm pretty sure they were mixing karicare thickner. Does that sound right? Has anyone used that before?

I'm def gonna talk to gp, and
pead about these. Just to help me along. I'm
so scared that his starving and that he will lose weight.


Ive used thickener for DS who has reflux but i cant understand why you use it for any other reason. It doesnt have a fat content .


Ask for a referral to a Pediatric Dietitian, they will be able to give you the best advice in regards to calorie loading/boosting.

Our Dietitian has been the best help for us with getting calories in. Sadly DS's weigh gain has dropped & we have to start going again.

[TripleTime]

Hey, dont have much advice- my son is still in hospital- but we were coming home within a week! Yay! He was prem- and now weighs 1.7kg so really needs to fatten up, so ill def be researching like you. Also i dont think he would be starving so try not to worry so much- if he was starving i think hed let ya know :-)


Congrats on going home :smiliedance:

I felt so good when i have everyone home.


Jess - I agree with Cazzie, he'll let you know if his hungry.

[Jess988]

Cazzie07 I remember the day we got to take ds home after 4 weeks!! But the he hot a virus and was back in hosp for a week. And since coming out his feeding so well.

Things are really chaning and his geting bigger. More wet and pooy nappies then
before

[cazzie07]

jess thats so good that ur boy is doing so well..... I cant even imagine him being here seems like it will never happen... We have been told he will be here by this weekend though so fingers crossed.