Colostrum Powder - Is it chemically harmful to mix colostrum/breastmilk and formula? ?

Is it chemically harmful to mix colostrum/breastmilk and formula? ?

For the past two days I've been pumping my colostrom and mixing the little that I get w/powdered formula. My friend said her pedi instructed her to do this and her daughter did well, so I went ahead and did the same. Now my other friend is telling me not to mix the two b/c they can chemically interact and cause the baby to have kidney damage or other digestive problems. Does anybody know if this true? Can the two interact in a harmful manner? *** And to the breast nazis please: I want to know if it's chemically harmful, not be preached to. Get a life!***

Public Comments

Formula is artificial. Why would you ruin your breast milk by mixing it with that shit? Breast is best.
I would give her colostrum separate from the formula. In most cases, formula is an acceptable substitute to breastmilk (go ahead Lactation Zealots, paste your Kellymom stuff), but all can agree it's necessary to mix the formula according to instructions. Improper mixing can cause problems. It's probably unlikely in this case, but I'd feed each separately just in case. I supplemented my daughter's breastmilk with formula from 1 week old to 6 months when I weened her from the breast, and she's totally fine. But if you do want to breatfeed exculsively, supplementing will hurt to milk supply. Just so you know, not preaching. Do what works for you and your family. Good luck.
Not in the slightest - it's a myth. But it's completely unnecessary. Your colostrum contains everything your newborn needs. Why are you forcing all those extra calories on your newborn? It's normal for you to have very little colostrum, your body doesn't produce any significant volume until your milk comes in. But you already have the best breastpump in existence. It's called a baby. Why waste your time pumping and risking your milk supply not establishing itself properly (because there's no way you're pumping as much as your baby would suck, not if you're supplementing) when just letting your baby feed directly would be so much better for both of you?
*rolls eyes* No, sounds like your friend is going about it the wrong way to get you to be successful at breastfeeding. Though I have to say, because it does happen, you have to mix the formula to the right dilution with just water. The colostrum can not replace the water. And if you want to breastfeed this is surest way to sabotage yourself. http://www.kellymom.com/newman/14more_more_bf_myths.html#6 6. Breastmilk given with formula may cause problems for the baby. Not true! Most breastfeeding mothers do not need to use formula and when problems arise that seem to require artificial milk, often the problems can be resolved without resorting to formula. However, when the baby may require formula, there is no reason that breastmilk and formula cannot be given together.
Firstly, not to you but to the other answerers! It can be a bit thoughtless to criticize formula when some women have no choice but to use it. How must that make them feel? It is full of the proper vitamins and minerals that a baby needs right from the start. The only thing it doesn't have is mother's immunity and anti-bodies which is passed on through the breast milk. I'm sure there are women out there who would love to breastfeed but can't and it must be very hurtful to find people answering without thinking about other people's feelings. To answer your question!! I would personally not mix them (your baby may taste the difference) but perhaps supplement with formula separately when you feel it is needed. If you are breastfeeding however, your breasts should be able to provide all that is needed.
Why did your friend's pedi instructed her to do this? He's an idiot. If you can exclusively breastfeed, do it. It's a million times better than mixing.
Hi, I just got back from a two week stay at a Children's Hospital where my daughter was sent to for complications during birth and I had to take parent essential classes about feeding and other things for babies. They told me that if you do not mix formula correctly it can cause damage to the babys brain, kidneys, GI tract and so on. They said formula should only be mixed with water and measured with the measuring spoon that comes with the formula. So they told me if the spoon measures for 2 ounces for each scoop then not to use half a scoop for an extra ounce because you could end up putting more or less formula in the bottle. Hope some of this helps.
Chemically harmful? Meh...depends on your definition of "harmful". I don't think the two will interact and create a crazy chemical reaction... But formula can cause your baby to have digestive problems. Also, if you don't mix the formula properly- it can totally lead to kidney issues. I don't know why your friend's doctor would tell her to mix breastmilk and formula if her supply was just fine. You can do as you wish- but why buy the formula if you make the milk for free?
No It's not harmful. When my baby was born she was in NICU for 2 days and during that time the nurses were mixing my colostrum with the ready made formula. It is important that babies get it, but don't beat you self up if you can't produce enough, that's why they have formulas. My very healthy 2 month old gets both formula and breast milk. Mix the formula as instructed and add the colostrum to it. Invest in a good breast pump as well. This will help increase your milk supply. Ignore all the negative comments and enjoy your baby. Congrats on your newborn :)
It depends on how your mixing the two. If you're just adding powdered formula to the breast milk without adding extra water, then you're actually just adding calories to the breast milk, which you shouldn't do unless you have a specific recipe (with correct amount of powder formula) given to you by your Doctor. If you're mixing the formula per the instructions on the can (I believe it's one scoop per two ounces of water, but it should clearly state the instructions on the can) and then you add the breast milk to the mixed formula, it's perfectly fine. It will not harm the kidneys. It's perfectly safe. I'm a NICU nurse and we often mix powdered formula with breast milk to add calories, but it's a specific recipe and it's done carefully and only when medically necessary. Talk to your Doctor first before doing this. If your milk supply is low, I would suggest giving the breast milk to the baby first then supplement with formula afterwards, then you'll be sure the baby gets all of the "liquid gold" in case the baby doesn't finish the bottle.
No way! I want to know where your friend got her information. I'm sure you are educated on the benefits of breast milk. But just in case, breast milk including colostrum... naturally contain essential enzymes that help the baby's immature digestive system process the food better. The breast milk when mixed into the formula (for whatever personal reasons) helps the baby to digest the formula component that much better. That is crazy talk about kidney failure and other health issues :) ADDED: The only way I can see this being a heath issue is if you don't mix the formula correctly first. You must follow the directions on the can to get the correct formula/water ratio. Then add whatever colostrum you have available to the formula mixture.
It is not chemically harmful. Digestive problems can occur with either breastmilk or formula by themselves or mixed together, but it isn't because they've been mixed together specifically. Or there may be no digestive problems. Depends on your child and the formula, etc. I mixed formula and breastmilk as I was getting a child used to the flavor of formula, though it proved to be pointless; she didn't care for it mixed but drank each kind separately just fine. If there is a problem getting baby to gain weight, then this is a viable alternative. However, if you're trying to breastfeed, and baby's doing well, latching on well, etc., then there's really not a reason to supplement. It will interfere with your supply.