Combination feeding

How to combine breastfeeding and formula feeding

When?

When breastfeeding is well established

When moving away from exclusive breastfeeding

Why?

Combination feeding is feeding your baby with breast milk part of the time and infant formula the rest of the time. This is so:

You can go back to work but still breastfeed at night and in the morning

Once breastfeeding is well established, your baby can be given a feed by someone else, for example, in the night

Why not?

Combination feeding will reduce your supply of breast milk.

How?

Introduce your baby to bottles using expressed breast milk or infant formula (use a first stage infant formula if your baby is under 6 months old)

Stick to bottle-feeding or breastfeeding at the same time each day

Combination feeding is a good way to get others involved and give yourself a well-earned break

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Breastfeeding is best for babies. Good maternal nutrition is important for the preparation and maintenance of breastfeeding. Introducing partial bottle-feeding may have a negative effect on breastfeeding and reversing a decision not to breastfeed 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. Social and financial implications should be considered when selecting a method of infant feeding. Infant milk should always be prepared and used as directed. Inappropriate foods or feeding methods, or improper use of infant formula, may present a health hazard.