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Expert Q&A

	By Melissa Clark Vickers International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Moms & Babies Huntingdon, Tenn.

I have a 2-month-old child who is unable to nurse due to a bilaterial cleft lip and palate. I have been pumping since his birth, but am unable to keep up, so I supplement when needed. What is the best way to do this? I have been told that mixing breast milk and formula together is beneficial, as the breast milk makes the formula work better. Is this true, or would it be better to provide strictly breast milk until I run out and then give straight formula? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Breastmilk is always better than formula -- this is a basic premise that any recommendations are built around. If you mix the two in one bottle, and your baby won't take all of the bottle, then you lose precious breast milk. By keeping them separate, then you can give priority to the breast milk and use formula only as needed.

If you are sure you will need to supplement with formula more than one feeding a day, you could alternate the feedings. Because formula is more difficult for baby to digest, by interspersing them with the easier-to-digest breast milk, it will put less stress on your baby's system.

I would recommend that you work with a local International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) who can help you build and maintain your milk supply, and perhaps help you find ways to get your baby to the breast.

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