First 12 Months

Feeding

By now, your baby should be into a routine and feeding happily, either by breast or bottle.

Breast is undoubtedly best for mum and for baby.

Some breast feeding mums decide to change to bottle feeding as their baby gets older, perhaps to prepare their baby for when they go back to work. If you are thinking about changing from breast to bottle, or combining the two, talk to your healthcare professional, who will be able to advise you about which baby feeding product would be best for your baby. However, keep in mind that, once you’ve stopped breast feeding, it can be difficult to restart.

At SMA*, we’ve got years of experience of providing nutrition to babies and advice about feeding babies, so if you’d like to talk to someone about any aspect of infant nutrition or feeding your baby call the SMA Careline* on 0845 776 2900 in the UK or ROI on 1 800 931832.

“What is combination feeding?”

Feeding your baby with a mixture of breast and bottle feeding is known as ‘combination feeding’. Combination feeding is becoming increasingly common but can only be attempted when breast feeding is well established. You may wish to start combination feeding if you’re preparing to go back to work or if you would like someone else to be involved in feeding.

If you want to feed your baby in this way, once you and your baby have settled into breast feeding, gradually introduce her to the bottle, using a whey-based infant formula. To help your body adjust to this way of feeding, it’s best to stick to bottle feeding and breast feeding at roughly the same time every day.

For more advice about combination feeding, ask your healthcare professional or call the SMA Careline on 0845 776 2900 in the UK or 1800 931 832 in ROI.

Click here for more information on breast feeding and click here for more information on bottle feeding.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Breast feeding is best for babies. Infant milks are intended to replace breast milk when mothers do not breast feed. Good maternal nutrition is important for the preparation and maintenance of breast feeding. Introducing partial bottle feeding may have a negative effect on breast feeding and reversing a decision not to breast feed is difficult. You should always seek the advice of a doctor, midwife, health visitor, public health nurse, dietitian or pharmacist on the need for and proper method of use of infant milks and on all matters of infant feeding. Infant milk should always be prepared and used as directed. Unnecessary or improper use of infant milk may present a health hazard. Social and financial implications should be considered when selecting a method of infant feeding.

*Trade Mark