For many families, combination feeding - also known as mixed feeding - is the right choice. Whether you’re breastfeeding, pumping, and occasionally bottle feeding, or offering both breastmilk and formula, combination feeding offers flexibility while still supporting your baby’s nutritional and emotional needs.
What Is Combination Feeding?
Combination feeding simply means using both breast and bottle to feed your baby. This may include:
- Breastfeeding most of the time, with occasional bottle feeds
- Expressing breastmilk for bottle feeds
- Using a combination of breastmilk and formula
- Having a partner or caregiver share feeds using bottles
It’s a flexible approach, and there’s no “one-size-fits-all.” The key is to protect your supply (if continuing to breastfeed), maintain a secure bond, and support responsive feeding.
When to Start Combination Feeding
The NHS recommends waiting until breastfeeding is well established, usually by around 6 weeks, before introducing regular bottle feeds. This helps:
- Build your milk supply
- Prevent nipple confusion
- Support confident latching
How to Introduce a Bottle for Combination Feeding
Follow these steps to keep the transition smooth:
1. Start Slowly
- Begin with 1 bottle feed per day
- Choose a time when baby is calm and alert
- Offer breastmilk if available, to keep the taste familiar
2. Use a Responsive Feeding Approach
Whether breast or bottle, responsive feeding means:
- Watching for hunger cues
- Letting baby control the pace of the feed
- Switching sides, making eye contact, and offering cuddles throughout
3. Protect Your Milk Supply
If you’re skipping a breastfeed in favor of a bottle, express milk to maintain supply.
- Use a manual or electric breast pump
- Pump at roughly the same time as the missed feed
- Store milk in sterile containers or milk bags
4. Offer the Breast When Possible
If continuing to breastfeed, try to offer the breast:
- At night (when prolactin levels are high)
- For comfort or settling
- Before naps and during cluster feeding
The more often baby breastfeeds, the easier it is to maintain supply and protect your connection.
Potential Challenges
Bottle Preference
Some babies may prefer the faster flow of a bottle and as such, refuse the breast. To reduce this:
- Use a slow-flow teat
- Practice paced feeding
- Offer breast first when baby is most hungry
Supply Drops
Missing too many feeds or not expressing may cause a dip in supply. Balance bottle feeds with pumping or frequent breastfeeding.
Top Tips
- Wait until 6 weeks to start if possible, to protect breastfeeding
- Choose a bottle designed to mimic breastmilk flow
- Keep expressing if skipping feeds to maintain milk supply
- Use responsive feeding techniques with both breast and bottle
- Talk to a midwife, health visitor or lactation consultant if you’re unsure
Combination feeding can offer the best of both worlds - nourishment, bonding, flexibility, and confidence. Whether you’re topping up with formula, expressing, or sharing feeds with a partner, this approach can be just as responsive, loving, and health-promoting as any other.
With the right tools, support, and a little patience, you’ll find a rhythm that suits you, your baby, and your unique journey.
