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Can Formula Food With Breastfeed Be Given To A 11 Month Old?

Posted on Wed, 23 Sep 2015

Question: my son is 11month old. is it right time to supplement mothers milk with formula?
what are the benefits ?
what are the side effects ?
please explain
thanks

Answered by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please mention clearly

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

You have asked that "is it right to supplement mother's milk with formula" in an eleven months old baby.
Please make it clear
if you want to start formula feed in baby?
If you want to supplement mother's feed to increase milk production?
If you want to supplement the baby's feed with Semisolid food or anything specific?

Please let me know so that I better able to help you out.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (6 hours later)

I don't WANT TO start anything per se, my question was not that..I am only asking for suggestion as to if this is the right time to start feeding him formula.he already eats semi solid food and feed him ragi, dal rice etc. we are just worried if he is getting all nutritions . he feeds 3 times mother milk per day and rest semisolid food.

Answered by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No need of formula feed if baby is growing well

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for clarification

It's good to know that you are giving home based Semisolid food like ragi,dal,rice etc.
Also decreasing the frequency of breast feed is an appropriate step.
I recommend home based food as it is always a better choice in comparison to formula feed.
I would suggest you to give 3 major meals,each measuring 3/4 to one medium size katori made up of cereals like ragi,wheat,rice with dal or milk).Add some vegetable and ghee to meet the caloric and vitamin requirement.
Give two to three small serving consisting of mashed boiled apple,banana,chiku etc.
I won't get worried if baby is growing well (weight is appropriate as per growth chart).
Continue the feed as usual.Add ghee,vegetable and fruit to the diet.There is no need of formula feed.

I shall be glad to help you, if you have any more doubt.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (1 hour later)

thank you doc. he weighs around 8 Kgs.is it good weight? when can we start egg and cow milk?

Answered by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Weight is just above the lower border of growth chart

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back

If you plot the weight of your baby on growth chart of XXXXXXX academy of pediatrics,it is just above the lower border (3rd centile).If your baby's birth weight was normal,at 11 month it should be about 10 kg.

I would suggest you to add some ghee and increase the amount and frequency of feed as advice. Add ghee to the diet to increase the caloric value.
As your baby is approaching 1 year you can now give egg and cow milk to the baby.
Be watchful for any abnormal symptoms like increase in frequency of stool or vomiting after introducing cow milk or egg.Monitor the growth of baby on growth chart for better assessment.

Wishing for your baby's good health.
Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar