It can take time for you and your baby to feel confident with breastfeeding. Once you both get used to it, you may decide to give your baby bottles of expressed breast milk or formula alongside breastfeeding. This is sometimes called combination feeding or 'mixed feeding'.
The more you breastfeed or express (remove) your breast milk, the more milk you'll produce.
If you begin giving formula to your baby while you are breastfeeding, they'll take less of your breast milk. This means your body will produce less milk.
Try and breastfeed your baby for the first weeks of their life, if possible. Breastfeeding in the early weeks is important for building up your breast milk supply
Why combine breast and bottle
You may choose to do combination feeding if:
- you're breastfeeding and want to use a bottle to offer your baby some expressed breast milk
- you want to breastfeed for some of your baby's feeds, but give bottles of expressed milk or formula for 1 or more feeds
- you need to leave your baby and want to make sure they have some milk, for example when you go to work
- your partner wishes to give some of your baby's feeds
- you're bottle feeding your baby and want to start breastfeeding (relactation)
- you have a low milk supply
Talk to your midwife, PHN or local breastfeeding support group for help and advice.
Non-urgent advice: Contact your midwife, public health nurse or lactation consultant if:
- your baby is not gaining weight
- you think you are not producing enough breast milk
- your baby was born premature or spent time in hospital and is transitioning to breastfeeding
- you are having breastfeeding problems such as sore nipples or mastitis
- you are having medical treatment or spending time away from your baby
They can discuss ways to increase your milk supply.
Things to consider when combining breast and bottle
If you plan to combine breast and bottle, be aware that:
- it may take time for you and your baby to adjust
- giving your baby a bottle at night does not mean they will sleep through the night - they may still look for the comfort of your body and breastfeeding
- when your baby takes less from the breast, your breasts can become engorged (too full) - if this happens, it is important to remove milk by hand or by feeding
- some babies may become more windy or constipated when formula is introduced
Introducing bottle feeds
It may take a while for a breastfed baby to get used to bottle feeding.
It usually helps to give the first few bottles when your baby is happy and relaxed - not when they're very hungry.
It can also help to:
- use a slow-flow teat to mimic the flow when breastfeeding
- express your milk regularly between bottle feeds to help maintain your milk supply
- try to use the same positions when bottle feeding as you would when breastfeeding
It may help if someone else gives the first bottle feeds, so that your baby is not near you and smelling your breast milk.
Giving your baby their first bottle
How much milk your baby needs
Breastfeeds and any bottle feeds count towards the amount of milk your baby needs each day.
Some mothers think they have low supply and give additional formula as a result. This can cause overfeeding.
Your baby's weight and their dirty nappies can help you tell if your newborn is getting enough breast milk.
Different babies drink different amounts of breast milk or formula. Some might have feeds close together and others further apart. Some babies have predictable feeding patterns, while others change their feeding times each day.
Your baby will know how much milk they need at each feed. Forcing your baby to finish a feed can be a stressful experience and can mean your baby takes more than they need.
How to pace a bottle feed (video)
Introducing formula feeds
First infant formula is suitable until your baby is 1 year old. If you are formula feeding, you can switch to cows milk at 12 months.
You'll need to be aware of the:
- cost of using formula
- safety of the local water supply
- equipment you will need
Breastfeeding more and giving fewer bottles
If you want to start breastfeeding more and give your baby fewer bottles, ask your midwife, public health nurse or lactation consultant for support.
Below are some tips that can help.
Give regular skin-to-skin contact
Giving your baby skin to skin contact will encourage your body to make milk and your baby to feed.
You can also try bottle feeding while holding your baby skin-to-skin and close to your breasts.
Express your breast milk regularly
Expressing your breast milk releases the hormone prolactin, which stimulates your breasts to make milk. About 8 times a day, including once at night, is ideal.
It may be easier to express by hand to begin with. Your midwife, public health nurse or lactation consultant can show you how.
Choose the right moment to breastfeed
Choose times when your baby is relaxed, alert and not too hungry. Do not force your baby to stay at the breast.
Feed often if your baby is latching on. Do not worry if your baby does not feed for long to begin with. See tips on how to get your baby properly positioned and attached.
Lower the number of bottle-feeds gradually
Use less bottle feeds as your milk supply increases. See more tips on boosting your milk supply.
Getting support for mixed feeding
If you have any questions or concerns about combining breast and bottle feeding, talk to your midwife, PHN or local breastfeeding support group. They can give you helpful advice.
You can also ask our breastfeeding expert.