Combo feeding, or mixed feeding, is when you feed your baby breast milk and formula. It can be helpful for those who struggle to breastfeed exclusively, which can happen for various medical, personal, and logistical reasons. Common reasons families decide to supplement their breast milk with formula include:
Low milk supply, perceived or physiological
Challenging anatomy like inverted nipples
Returning to work
Wanting a partner to be involved in feedings
Desired feeding plan from birth
How to Combo Feed
The best part of combo feeding is it meets your needs! You can offer formula and breast milk at separate times of the day. Here are varying scenarios of what mixed feeding can look like:
Breastfeed by day, formula feed by night (or vice versa)
Top off with formula after breastfeeding
Mix formula and breast milk in the same feeding session, but ideally not in the same bottle!