Tips For Combining Breastfeeding and Bottle Feeding

By Andrew Parkin 

Combining breastfeeding and bottle feeding, also known as supplementing or combination feeding is a great technique that is practiced by moms who need to go back to work while helping them nurse longer at the same time. Here are some tips to help you succeed.

Exclusively Breastfeed For A Month

Nurse your baby for 3 weeks or until he is 1 month old before you introduce formula in order to increase your milk supply and make sure your baby is breastfeeding well. Lactation specialists recommend this so an occasional bottle will not disturb the routine too much and avoid nipple confusion.

Gear Up

Your baby might be picky when it comes to bottles and nipples so you may need to do a little experimentation before you figure out which ones he like best. Most popular choices are BPA-free angled baby bottles with flat sides which allow easier gripping and slow flow flat-topped nipples that copy the shape of a mother's breast.

Ask For Help

Most likely, your baby will be hesitant to take the bottle at first especially if you are the one feeding him since he may associate your scent with breast milk. To make this transition smoother, ask someone else to offer the bottle - your spouse, mother or aunt. Once your little one is used to drinking milk from the bottle, you can take charge again.

Try A Different Position

Another tip is to hold your baby in a different position to your normal breastfeeding position. Instead of holding your baby with his face at the level of your breast, position your baby against your front so he is facing away from you. This will serve as a signal for bottle time.

Take It Slow

Do not substitute the breast with a bottle right away. Supplement gradually. For instance, you can eliminate one particular feeding per day and then nurse as usual at all other times. When you notice you are not "full" during that time, you can remove another feeding. This will also help your breast adjust while still having a good supply of milk.

Time It Right

Timing is very important when combining breastfeeding and formula feeding. Choose a time to introduce those first few bottles when your baby is hungry but not famished, say during the second feeding of the day. When your little one is in a good mood, he will most likely accept whatever you feed him.

Separate The Milk

Some mothers say it is okay to combine breast milk with formula. But according to lactation experts, it is not a good idea to mix the two. Why? Because you may end up wasting your effort expressing breast milk if your baby is unable to finish the bottle. Instead, offer your baby the expressed breast milk first and if your infant is still hungry, offer a bottle with formula.

Last but not the least, the best thing you can do when combining breastfeeding and bottle feeding is to relax. It may take a little time to get it right but try not to sweat it out too much. Just keep on practicing and sooner or later, you will be an expert at supplementing.

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Article Source:  Tips For Combining Breastfeeding and Bottle Feeding