Combination feeding 101
There are so many different ways to feed our babies, and as the parents of our tiny humans, we get to decide which method is best for us! Combination feeding is when a baby is fed both breastmilk and bottles of either breastmilk or formula. There are many reasons why families may need or choose to use combination feeding, and today we are here to give some tips; we hope you enjoy this week’s blog Combination Feeding 101.
What is combination feeding?
Combination feeding, also commonly known as mixed feeding, feeds your baby breastmilk and formula. This is done differently from family to family. Some families may choose to give their baby a bottle or two a day, and others may start with mostly formula while their milk supply gains and later switch to mostly breastfeeding.
Why combination feed?
There are many different reasons why families choose to combination feed. Some reasons why you may combination feed are:
- Your baby is underweight and needs additional feeds
- Your supply is low
- Returning to work and needing to supplement
- Ready to cut down on breastfeeding/ pumping
What are the benefits of combination feeding?
There are many different benefits that combination feeding can bring.
- Family bonding- Your partner can take over some feeds and get “bonding time” this way
- Breastfeeding mothers get a break – Breastfeeding is hard work, and having even one to two feeds done by someone else in a twenty-four-hour period can be a nice break for a breastfeeding parent.
- More sleep- Someone else can take over a night feeding or two allowing for the birthing parent to get more rest and recover from childbirth.
- Tracking food intake- It can be easier to track the milk intake your baby is getting while combination feeding.
What are the cons of combination feeding?
Like anything else, there are also some potential cons or things to consider when thinking about combination feedings. These are:
- nipple confusion- Nipple confusion is especially common within the first four weeks after birth before your baby has established a breastfeeding relationship. Making sure that your babies latch, suck, and let down is correct each time they are at the breast can help.
- Lower milk supply- because breast milk is created on a supply and demand basis, lowering the number of times you are breastfeeding can lower your milk supply. It is recommended to pump during missed feedings to ensure that your supply doesn’t lower.
- Gas or upset tummy- babies can become gassy from combination feeding due to their tummies needing to digest and process two different forms of milk.
- Breast refusal- Breastfeeding is hard work for babies, and unless we are Paced bottle-feeding, bottle feeds are significantly easier.
Paced bottle-feeding
Paced bottle-feeding can hugely benefit a combination feeding relationship. This bottle feeding method is meant to replicate the work that your baby has to do while breastfeeding. When at the breast, your baby uses its muscles to draw and pull milk out of the breast. While bottle-feeding, often we are dumping the milk into our babies’ mouths. Pace bottle feeding can help to ensure that our babies aren’t getting ” lazy” while feeding. For a video on the paced bottle feeding method, click here.
Is combination feeding right for me?
Like everything in life, combination feeding is a great method for some and not the right fit for others. We hope that reading has given you an inside look into the pros and cons of combination feeding and can help you decide if this e
Thank you for reading this week’s blog, “Combination feeding 101” For more helpful tips on all things pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and parenthood, tune into our weekly blog.
