Feeding Both Breast Milk and Formula

Breastfeeding does not have to be all or nothing - giving some breast milk and some formula may be right for you and your baby.  

Any amount of breast milk is better than none!

Click here to download the Combination Feeding Handout.

What is Combination Feeding?

Combination feeding is when you feed your baby both breast milk and infant formula. It is also known as mixed feeding or partially breastfeeding.

Breast milk should be the first source of nutrition for your baby. By giving both breast milk and formula, your baby still gets many of the important nutrients found only in breast milk.

The more breast milk your baby gets, the greater the health benefits for both you and baby. 

Keep Your Milk Supply

Any amount of breast milk is great for your baby, and the longer you can give breast milk, the better! However, combination feeding can decrease how much milk you make. 

You can be successful feeding both breast milk and formula when you follow the tips below:

• Breastfeed as much as you can when you are with your baby (if your baby is less than 2 months old, at least 8-12 times a day). 
• If your baby is not nursing at your breast or you are away from your baby, try to pump or hand express your milk regularly - ideally every time your baby eats, you should express.
  • Tip: If you pump every time your baby eats from a bottle, you will be most successful in keeping your milk supply. Massage your breasts while you pump to help get more milk out. 
• Feed breast milk first. Only feed your baby formula when breast milk is not available.

Bottle Feeding Tips

When using a bottle, practice the technique of paced bottle feeding whether the bottle contains breast milk or formula. This allows the baby to control the feeding. 

• Watch your baby for hunger signs and offer breast milk first. 
• Hold your baby close to your body, in an upright position. Look at and talk to your baby during a feeding -this is important for your baby’s development. Your baby should not be lying down flat when taking a bottle and never prop a bottle in your baby’s mouth.
• Switch sides when bottle feeding, just like you would when switching breasts. Burp your baby between sides.
• Let your baby draw the nipple into the mouth. Do not shoveDO we like shove - could we use the work push or force the nipple into your baby’s mouth. Rub the nipple against your baby’s lips, asking your baby to open wide to take the nipple.
• Just like with breastfeeding, encourage your baby to take frequent pauses. Lower the bottle after a few sucks and wait for your baby to begin sucking again before tilting the bottle back up. This helps prevent your baby from eating too quickly.
• Watch for fullness cues and allow your baby to be done even if there is still milk in the bottle. 

Combination feeding is different for every person. Call your local WIC clinic, your lactation consultant, or health care provider if you have any questions or concerns.