What is Supplemental Baby Formula?

This article is not designed to sponsor supplemental formula for all breast-feeding mothers. This article is simply designed to offer information to women who are interested in learning about supplemental formula. Please understand that there are women who medically, or for other reasons, have trouble breast-feeding their children or cannot provide enough milk for them. They have a right to learn about options.

Most new mothers get stressed over their milk supply and become discouraged and discontinue breastfeeding altogether, because they cannot provide adequate nourishment for their newborn. This is usually the case for mothers who have some type of medical reason or other condition that prevents them from being able to properly supply a good flow of milk for their children.

When their newborns do not meet the growth target for a specific period of time, pediatricians usually introduce the idea of giving the child supplemental baby formula. Supplemental baby formula is a type of formula that is designed to be given to a baby as part of a breastfeeding routine. This type of formula supplements what the baby already receives from breastmilk and is used when a mother cannot provide enough milk, nutritional vitamins, or during breaks from breast feeding.

Other scenarios when supplemental baby formula is given to newborns are when the mother is too sick to nurse or pump milk for the baby after delivery. Supplementing is also used when the baby has a medical condition that prevents him from being able to suckle properly (such as premature birth or having a cleft lip or cleft palate). In these cases, where a mother may not have immediate access to a breast pump, supplemental formula can nurse a baby for short period of time while the mother starts to produce a natural flow.

Having jaundice may also prompt the doctor to recommend supplemental baby formula in order to improve the baby’s health condition.

Brands that Offer Supplemental Formula

At present, Enfamil and Similac are the two major brands that offer supplemental formula in the market. Enfamil is cheaper compared to Similac, but Similac appears to be the more popular choice for supplementing mothers. Most mothers choose Similac because it is the brand that most hospitals offer after delivery, and they want to stick with the same brand to avoid upsetting the baby's stomach. However, both are trusted brands and offer good nutrition for growing babies.

Organic now offered

Some brands do have organic versions of supplemental baby formula, and as it becomes more popular, supplementing mothers are leaning towards these. Critics are calling these options the new standard, and although relatively pricier, organic supplements are said to contain less sugars and hormones, making them preferred by choosy moms.

Where we Stand

Supplemental formula is designed for mothers who have a natural problem with producing enough milk for their babies. These mothers endure a lot of stress and feelings of inadequacy because they cannot provide for their babies the way other mothers can. For the most part, the only other option that these mothers have is to move over to complete formula feeding. Now, with supplemental formula, mothers can continue to breast-feed their children and add the other nutrients that they need.

We do not personally recommend supplemental formula as a main form of feeding your babies. We have had many negative responses to this article, because some mothers believe that that is what this article is designed to do. It is not. We are simply giving informational material for mothers who do have these issues, so that they can learn more about the options that they may have.

Supplemental formula is designed to be a backup plan. It is not designed to overtake the complete routine of breast-feeding or become the first line of defense. Of course we believe that breastmilk is the recommended choice, it is the natural choice. But for mothers who do not have that option, this is an option to continue a breastfeeding routine.

Supplemental formula is often used by mothers on an occasional basis. Some mothers report only using it whenever they feel extremely sore and need one breaks from pumping or latching throughout the day. These are their personal choices. The Mothers Diary is not stating that mothers have to use supplemental formula.

Again, from others who do have a medical condition that prevents them from providing enough nutrition in their breastmilk or enough breastmilk altogether, if appropriately guided by a licensed lactation consultant or pediatrician, it should go well and you will begin to see your baby thrive again.