Breastfeeding FAQs: Solids and supplementing. Join now to personalize. Photo credit: Thinkstock. While there's nothing wrong with mixing breast milk and formula in the same container, it's not recommended simply because you don't want to waste a single drop of your precious breast milk. Formula from a bottle that your baby has drunk from must be discarded within an hour of preparation. Breast milk, on the other hand, will "keep," refrigerated, for a number of hours in a bottle that's been fed.
So, for example, if you mix 2 ounces of expressed breast milk with 2 ounces of formula, and your baby only drinks 2 ounces altogether, you'll have to throw the leftovers out, wasting some of the breast milk.
To avoid this kind of waste, a good plan is to feed your baby whatever breast milk you've expressed, and then follow that up with couple of ounces of formula if you need it.
Some mothers mix powdered formula with their breast milk in order to increase the calories their baby gets during a feeding. Please do not do this! Not only does it change the composition of the breast milk, but the micronutrients in the formula will become so much more concentrated that it can be very hard on your baby's immature kidneys. Always follow the exact directions on the can of powdered or concentrated formula, and never mix formula with anything but distilled water.
It can take several weeks for you and your baby to feel happy and confident with breastfeeding. Once you've both got the hang of it, it's usually possible to offer your baby bottles of expressed milk or formula alongside breastfeeding. You may want to combine breastfeeding with bottle feeding if you:. Introducing formula feeds can affect the amount of breast milk you produce. There is also a small amount of evidence to show babies may not breastfeed as well because they learn to use a different kind of sucking action at the bottle than at the breast.
These things can make breastfeeding more difficult, especially in the first few weeks when you and your baby are still getting comfortable with breastfeeding. Your breastmilk supply will usually not be affected if you start bottle feeding your baby when they are a bit older, you are both comfortable with breastbeeding, and you breastfeed every day.
If you're combining breastfeeding with formula feeds both you and your baby can carry on enjoying the benefits of breastfeeding. For more information, see drinks and cups for babies. It may take a while for a breastfed baby to get the hang of bottle feeding, because they need to use a different sucking action. See more advice on how to bottle feed. If you want to start breastfeeding more and give your baby fewer bottles, it's a good idea to ask your midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding supporter for support.
See more tips on boosting your milk supply. Page last reviewed: 8 October Next review due: 8 October Only put a small amount of liquid into the cup so that any spills are easy to clean. Read our cookies policy to find out more about our cookies and how we use them.
Breastfeeding can take time and patience to learn. There is lots of support on offer from public health nurses and lactation consultants. Find a breastfeeding support group. Page last reviewed: 28 November Next review due: 28 November Home Wellbeing Babies and children Breastfeeding Getting breastfeeding off to a good start Back to Getting breastfeeding off to a good start.
Combination feeding - Breast milk and formula. Ask our breastfeeding experts Get personal advice from our lactation consultants. Breast milk production The more you breastfeed, the higher the amount of milk you'll produce.
Information: The importance of breastfeeding. Feeding in early weeks Sometimes, mothers breastfeed with the desire to give their baby both breast and formula feeds. Challenges of formula feeding If you plan to combination feed, it may take time for your baby to adjust to feeding from both the bottle and the breast. Breast milk supply When you begin giving formula to your baby, they will take less of your milk.
Digestion Because formula milk is not as digestible as breast milk, your baby may experience more digestive discomfort and wind.
Breastfeeding issues Possible breastfeeding challenges such as sore nipples may develop. Information: Sore nipples Engorgement while breastfeeding Expressing breast milk. Things to consider when formula feeding When considering formula feeding, be aware of: the type of feed for babies the cost of using formula the safety of the local water supply the equipment you will need.
Important It is important to safely prepare your baby's formula feed. Information: Preparing baby formula Bottle-feeding. Paced bottle-feeding When bottle-feeding your baby, it's important to pace the feed. Paced bottle-feeding is a great way for the baby and carer to get used to bottle feeding. Hold the bottle almost level and offer the teat in the same way you would the breast.
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