Infant mixed feeding

Release time : 03/09/2025 09:30:01

The current trend in baby feeding is a mixture of breastfeeding and formula feeding, but some mothers still ask: "What exactly is mixed feeding for infants?" In fact, mixed feeding means adding formula to breast milk to supplement the insufficient part of the breast milk.

As every coin has two faces, so too does each thing have both sides.

Mixed feeding for infants is a popular way of feeding and has many advantages. However, it also has some limitations.

Mothers should pay attention! What is infant mixed feeding? Nowadays, the popular and fashionable method of infant feeding is mixed feeding, but some mothers still ask: "What is mixed feeding?" In fact, mixed feeding means adding formula milk powder to breastfed babies to replenish the insufficient part of breast milk.

Mixed feeding is to supplement feeding the infant with other milk or milk substitutes when it is determined that there is insufficient breast milk.

This method can be chosen when it is mainly due to insufficient breast milk secretion or when it is impossible to fully breastfeed for other reasons.

Although mixed feeding is not as good as breastfeeding, it can ensure to a certain extent that the mother's breasts are stimulated by the baby's sucking on time, thereby maintaining normal milk secretion. Babies can eat breast milk 2 to 3 times a day, which still has many benefits to their health.

In mixed feeding, the amount of other milk supplements each time should be determined based on the degree of breast milk shortage.

Mixed feeding can replenish the lack of breast milk after each breastfeeding, or it can be completely fed with milk substitute once or several times a day.

However, it is important to note that mothers should not give up breastfeeding due to a lack of milk. At the very least, continue breastfeeding for at least six months before completely switching to substitute formula.

There are two methods of mixed feeding: the supplementary method. This means that the frequency of breastfeeding is maintained as usual, but at the end of each feeding, a certain amount of milk or substitute food is given.

The characteristic feature is that the infant suckles the mother's breast to stimulate the mother's breast in time and keep the secretion of milk.

The method of proxy feeding involves feeding the mother's milk once and then a formula or substitute milk, alternating between these feedings at regular intervals. This is known as the proxy feeding method, but the total number of feedings should not exceed half of the daily breastfeeding sessions.

The method of delegated administration is suitable for infants over six months old.

This method of feeding can easily lead to a decrease in breast milk. Gradually introducing cow's milk, formula, rice porridge, and thin noodles can cultivate the child's chewing habit and prepare them for weaning in the future.

For infants, breastfeeding is the principle.

Mixed feeding is limited to cases where breastfeeding is truly insufficient, or when the mother has work and cannot breastfeed at all.

The mixed feeding method, whether it is by bottle or breastfeeding, must ensure that the infant sucks at least once a day on the breast milk. The amount of supplementary or substitute milk and food should be sufficient, and hygiene must be taken into account.

Mixed feeding in infants is good, just as every coin has two sides.

Mixed feeding of infants is a popular way of feeding but it also has its own limitations.

Moms, be aware! Co-feeding allows your baby to consume as much breast milk as possible while ensuring that he receives enough milk when his mother's supply is insufficient, without affecting his normal growth and development.

If a baby can get several feedings of breast milk every day, it will benefit their health in many ways. For example, it can enhance resistance to illnesses, reduce allergic reactions, and establish good parent-child relationship.

At the same time, compared with formula feeding, mixed feeding can ensure that your breasts will receive sucking stimulation at the right time to maintain a certain amount of lactation.

Some mothers even can resume exclusive breastfeeding after a period of mixed feeding.

Of course in some cases mixed feedings can fail to breastfeed because formula milk is added too early.

Some babies may develop nipple confusion and refuse to breastfeed or bottle-feed during a stage of mixed feeding.

The method of mixed feeding for infants, there are still some small techniques and methods that mothers can refer to in the process of mixing feeding.

Mastering the necessary methods of mixed feeding can greatly improve the efficiency of feeding babies.

Specifically, follow this method: 1. Allocate a 24-hour period during which only bottle feedings are allowed.

Choose a day when someone is nearby to help you.

You may need to express milk to prevent breast engorgement and pain. Then you can feed your baby from the bottle.

2. On this day, do not feed your baby anything or drink anything for at least two to three hours before the bottle feeding. Wait until the baby shows signs of hunger and is ready to eat.

3. Try different bottles and nipples.

A soft, pendulous nipple is best.

Use a standard, thin nipple for any size bottle.

4. If possible, you should start with expressed milk because your baby is used to that taste.

If the breast milk is insufficient, other formulas can be used.

5. Use a sterilized needle to make a larger hole on the teat to ensure that the flow is greater than that of breast milk.

The baby who cries when the nipple is put into her mouth can be comforted by the fact that the milk flows very smoothly.

6. The milk should be completely heated in the bottle.

Many breastfeeding babies prefer their milk to be slightly hotter than usual, but of course without burning the baby.

7. Ensure that the baby is sitting upright on your knee, avoiding rapid movements that could cause choking or panic.

Don't let your baby lie in your arms like when you were breastfeeding, this position makes the baby uncomfortable.

8. Use toys or televisions that can make noise around to distract the baby's attention.

Before the baby is consciously aware of the nipple in his mouth, he has been sucking unconsciously.

9. Be patient.

If your baby shows signs of suffocation, make him straighten immediately, but keep the pacifier in his mouth.

Persistence.

Up to now, we have found that 24 hours is the longest duration for babies to be able to stick with breastfeeding. Most babies quickly and naturally give up on breastfeeding.

What happens to babies who are fed a mixed diet? The condition of many babies can be reflected in their stools.

By examining the baby's stool, mothers can identify problems in a timely and early manner, allowing for timely provision of treatment methods to their babies.

In infants fed with breast milk and cow's milk, the feces are similar to those of babies fed with cow's milk but are lighter in color and softer.

After adding cereals, eggs, meat, and vegetables to the diet, the stool characteristics are similar to those of an adult, occurring once daily.

When there is no change in the amount or variety of food, an increase in stool frequency and dilution should be considered abnormal.

1. Foamy stools: When individuals consume an excess amount of starches or sugars, it can lead to increased fermentation in the intestines, resulting in dark brown watery stools with foam.

2. Stinky and Unpleasant Bowel Motions: When children consume too much protein, which neutralizes stomach acid, the acidity of their stomach juice decreases, preventing complete digestion and absorption of the proteins. Additionally, the breakdown by intestinal bacteria further contributes to the unpleasant smell of their bowel movements.

3. Luminous stools: When excessive fat is consumed, a surge of fatty acids in the intestinal lumen stimulates the intestinal mucosa, causing an increased movement of the bowel. As a result, a light yellow liquid-like and relatively large amount of stool is produced. Sometimes, the stool can be shiny and even slide within the toilet.

4. Green stool: If the stool appears green, with a small amount of feces and abundant mucus, it is classified as starvation diarrhea.

Additionally, some children who are fed formula milk may have feces that appear dark green. This is because the iron in most formula milks is ingested and then interacts with air to produce a dark green color.

5. Grey stool: Patients with various causes of biliary obstruction will have grey stools.

Medically, it is referred to as clay-colored stool.

In addition, if you eat too much milk or too little sugar, the fatty acids produced combine with the minerals calcium and magnesium in the food to form fat soap. The feces can also appear grayish-white, hard, and accompanied by a foul smell.

What should I pay attention to when babies are mixed feeding? For mothers, in addition to mastering the methods and techniques of infant mixing feeding, it is also very necessary to understand some precautions.

When infants are fed in mixed manner, the following aspects need to be paid attention to: 1. Breast milk and milk are not allowed to be fed in a mixed manner once a meal. Feed only one kind of milk. Eat breast milk and drink milk.

Don't eat the breast milk first, and then supplement it with formula when there isn't enough.

This is not conducive to digestion and may also lead to a baby's refusal to eat milk, rejecting the bottle.

Once you feed breast milk, you should exclusively feed it. Even if you're not full, don't immediately switch to formula. The next feeding time can be scheduled earlier.

If the previous meal was not enough to feed the breast milk, the next meal must be fed with cow's milk. If the baby has eaten well in the previous meal and it is time for the next feeding, a mother feels her breasts are full, and there is more milk than usual, she should still feed the breast milk.

This is because, breast milk cannot be stored. If milk does not get drained promptly, it will reduce the secretion of milk. The more empty you let your breasts become, the more milk you will produce.

So, don't save breast milk, feed it when you have it, and it may be enough for your baby over time.

Mixed feeding requires making full use of limited breast milk and feeding as much breast milk as possible.

The more breast milk you inhale, the more and more. If a mother thinks that there is not enough breast milk, she reduces the frequency of breast milk, which will make less and less.

Breastfeeding times should be evenly divided and do not stop breastfeeding for a long time.

2. Never give up breastfeeding; one of the most common mistakes in mixed feeding is to abandon breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding, not only benefits the physical health of mother and child, but also has a great benefit to the mental health. Breastfeeding can bring children a lot of love from their mothers.

Moreover, some mothers may not produce milk until later in the postpartum period, but with the recovery of their bodies, the amount of breast milk can increase. Relinquishing this means forfeiting the hope that your baby will be able to nurse from your breasts. We encourage mothers to do everything they can to provide their infants with the best possible nourishment through breastfeeding.

The medical information presented in this text is for reference only and should not be used as medical advice.

In case of discomfort, it is advised to seek medical attention immediately. The diagnosis and treatment should be based on face-to-face consultations.