How you feed your baby is totally up to you: whether that’s breastfeeding or giving them a bottle. Some parents choose to do both, and this is known as combined (combination) – or mixed – feeding.

Here’s all you need to know about this method of feeding your baby, including the benefits of combination feeding and top tips for getting started.

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What is combination feeding?

Combination feeding – also known as mixed feeding – is when you offer your baby bottles of expressed milk or formula along with breastfeeding.

Why do mums use combination feeding?

There are lots of reasons parents might choose to give their baby breast and bottle feeds.

Maybe you want to get your baby used to a bottle so other people can feed them. Or if you’re struggling with breastfeeding, you might need to give your baby some formula too. Some mums who are giving their babies a bottle turn to mixed feeding so they can start breastfeeding. And others start introducing a bottle to gradually wean their baby off breastfeeding.

Whatever your reason, it’s YOUR choice: do whatever works best for your baby and you.

When can I start mixed feeding?

It’s totally up to you. You can start combination feeding from birth if you want, although the NHS recommends waiting until your milk is fully established. They say some parents start mixed feeding when their baby is around 6-8 weeks old.

According to the NHS, if you decide to bottle and breastfeed your baby from birth it could make breastfeeding harder. That’s because your body thinks it needs to produce less milk.

What are the different types of mixed feeding?

There are lots of different combinations you could try. These include:

• Breastfeeding and bottle feeding expressed milk
• Breastfeeding and bottle feeding formula
• Expressing and formula feeding
• Breastfeeding, expressing and formula feeding

Here’s all you need to know about expressing breastmilk .

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How to introduce mixed feeding

It may take your baby a while to get used to a change in how you feed them. Here are some tried-and-tested tips for getting started.

1. Take your time

Your baby might not want to take a bottle – or your breast – at first. That’s totally normal so don’t worry. Feed them as normal and then just try again at the next feed.

2. Choose your moment

Try offering a bottle (or breast if you’re wanting to introduce breastfeeding) when your baby ISN’T hungry. That may sound counterintuitive but if they’re relaxed and happy, they’ll be more likely to give it a try rather than flat out refusing.

3. Think about the bottle teat

There are lots of different teats for baby bottles to choose from. They are usually labelled as slow, medium, and fast. These flow rates relate to the size or number of holes in the teat.

For mixed feeding, the NHS recommends starting with a slow flow teat which is similar to the flow when you’re breastfeeding.

4. Ask for help

Our Netmums community suggest getting your partner, friend or family member to offer your baby a bottle. That way, they can’t smell milk on you.

5. Copy your breastfeeding position

Babies like routine. So another top NHS tip to help them adapt to mixed feeding is copying your breastfeeding positions. This, it’s hoped, will make them feel more comfortable and realise it’s feeding time.

6. Be prepared

Have a baby feeding station set up with essentials for your baby and you. This could include baby wipes (Aldi Mamia Extra Sensitive wipes are made from 99.4% water, are plastic-free and Netmums Recommended! ) and a drink and snack for you.

Keep spare nappies at hand too: Aldi Mamia nappies are award-winning and a fraction of the price of other popular brands. Their newborn nappies , which come in Size 1 and 2, have a clever wetness indicator to let you know when it's time for a change. They're also Netmums Recommended, thanks to their clever Dry Fast technology and low cost (just 85p for a pack of 24 Size 1 nappies and £2.35 for a pack of 60 Size 2 newborn nappies ). Check out the full Mamia nappy range here .

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