Can mixed feeding or occasional supplements interfere with breastfeeding?
Supplements can delay the « coming in » of milk and interfere with milk production, thus initiating a vicious cycle difficult to break. There are very few medical indications for supplementing a baby. First, we must always deal with the cause of the problem before supplementing. If there is a medical reason for supplementation, formula is the last choice: mother’s own milk is the first choice, then donated human milk, and last, formula. Moreover, the bottle is also the last choice of methods for giving supplements to a breastfed baby. Milk can be given by Lactation Aid or spoon, among other options.
