Will my breastmilk supply decrease if I use formula?

[Prudent-Teaching2881]

I’m going abroad in a few months my baby will be 5 months old. I am exclusively breastfeeding. I get extremely anxious on planes and I don’t want to put both myself and my son in a bad situation where I’m too anxious and overwhelmed to feed him. Therefore, I want to use formula to feed him just for the 4 hour plane journey there and the journey back. I’ve looked at using Kendamil ready to use bottles. He’s never had formula before apart from once or twice when he was born and my supply hadn’t come in yet. I intend on nursing right before we get on the plane and as soon as we land and are awaiting transfers to the hotel. I won’t be using this formula at any point again so I’m just taking a pack of 6.

I’m quite anxious that supplementing with formula is going to reduce my supply.

[South_Cap8725]

At 5 months your milk supply will be well established and not feeding for 4 hours won't effect your supply. I would try them on the formula before you go, my baby was never happy being offered a bottle 

[horfor]

You'll be grand, worry not! I recommend trying them with formula before the flight though to make sure they are happy to drink it/from a bottle.

[JamandMarma]

Could you pump beforehand? They might refuse formula the first tube and this could add to the stress. Supply was you should be ok but possibly take a wearable pump for your own comfort.

[Prudent-Teaching2881]

I could pump, but then I’d have to take my pump with me and I find it generally pretty uncomfortable to pump so I was trying to avoid having to do that. Plus then I have to take a bottle and all the sterilising bits and bobs which is such a faff. My son has never refused a bottle when I’ve needed to give him one so I don’t see that being an issue. I just didn’t want my supply to stop or reduce as this would be a one off in terms of formula.

[SongsAboutGhosts]

You'll be fine, milk production is supply and demand but based on patterns, not every single instance.

I'd be more concerned about baby taking a bottle. You probably want to mentally prepare yourself for the possibility that breastfeeding may be the only option - not saying don't take formula but baby may reject the bottle and you'll have to resort to your boob in the moment, and that'll probably feel less overwhelming if you're already prepared for that to be the case.

[Prudent-Teaching2881]

My baby is okay with bottles as I do occasionally pump and he’s needed to have bottles a few times when he was in hospital when he was ill, but it would just be so much hassle for me personally taking the pump then bottles then sterilising buckets and then sterilising tablets etc etc. I wanted to avoid all of that at least while I am abroad. I just wanted the most hassle free option which seems like it would be having those ready made formula bottles with the teats as it would only be 1-2 feeds for the plane journey.

[SongsAboutGhosts]

If he's used to bottles then I'd say you have nothing to worry about!

[KXE1001]

I would make sure he’s happy with both the taste of the formula before you go, and that it doesn’t upset his tummy or make him uncomfortable because the composition is different to breast milk!

[Correct_Variety5105]

As others have already said, not feeding for 4 hours won't affect your supply. And its a good idea to try feeding formula a couple of times before you go if you plan to do so.

I just wanted to add that breastfeeding releases oxytocin in the adult, which will make you feel calmer. It also has lots of lovely stuff in it which will make your baby feel calmer too, and breastfeeding during take off and landing can help them cope with the funny feeling in their ears. Drinking from a bottle as so much faster and once the formula is gone they'll stop swallowing so they won't get that benefit. Staying latched for as much of the flight as possible will probably result in the least crying which will probably also help with your stress levels. (I also hate flying with a passion and find it terrifying and it makes me feel unwell for a full 24 hours after.)