My breast milk is not ample. Which milk shall I feed my newborn, cow's milk or formula?

Question

Hello doctor,

My child is 1 and a half month old. Which milk is better for him, cow's milk or artificial milk (as breast milk is not enough)?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Please know that until the baby is 6 months of age, there is nothing better than mother’s milk. If you feel mother’s milk is not enough, there are medications to increase mother’s milk. Has it been tried?

How frequent are you breastfeeding? What exactly is the mother’s psychological status (I mean willingness to breastfeed, notions about mother’s physique deteriorating by breastfeeding, not actually able to feed because of other medical conditions, mother being tensed about the happenings in the family or anything that she is really concerned with).

Also know that the amount of milk secreted depends on:

1. How frequently the baby is offered breastfeed.

2. How well the baby is sucking. The milk secretion increases according to the baby’s demand. More sucking- more milk.

3. Mother’s diet.

4. The medications that the mother and baby are at present.

Kindly give me the above details before you decide to stop breastfeeding completely.

If you still want to know the best formula milk, there are many in the market like Cerelac, Lactogen, Nan, etc. Any of them will do. You should know the correct dilutions before feeding.

Please know that if a baby is given breast milk for 6 months he or she will have better immunity, better mental abilities, and psychological strength compared to babies fed on formula milk.

Please do not start Cow’s milk, or buffalo milk, or pasteurized milk so early.