mixed feeding
Mixed feeding
Mixed feeding, also known as combination feeding, involves providing a baby with both breastmilk and formula. This approach can be used for various reasons, such as ensuring the baby gets enough nutrition, accommodating a mom's return to work, or addressing milk supply issues.
What to watch out for
It’s important to understand how to balance breastmilk and formula feeding effectively and recognize when it might be beneficial. Here are some considerations and tips:
- Nutritional needs: Ensure that your baby receives adequate nutrition from both breastmilk and formula. Consult with your healthcare provider to determine the appropriate balance and need for supplementation.
- Maintaining milk supply: Continue to breastfeed or pump regularly to maintain your milk supply. The more frequently you breastfeed or pump, the more milk your body will produce.
- Breastfeeding first: Offer the breast before giving formula to encourage breastfeeding and help maintain milk supply.
- Breastfeeding Goals: Some moms use mixed feeding to try and get more sleep or allow their partner to participate in feedings. If your goal is to get to a full milk supply, then when baby gets a bottle of formula, mom should consider pumping to stimulate her milk supply to produce the same amount of milk as baby’s needs. Going long stretches without removing milk will lower milk supply. If mom’s goal is just to provide occasional breastmilk here and there, then mixed feeding can be a great option to get some of the benefits of breastmilk.
To manage mixed feeding, consider these tips:
- Establish a routine: Develop a feeding schedule that works for both you and your baby, ensuring a balance between breastfeeding and formula feeding.
- Use responsive feeding: Pay attention to your baby’s hunger and fullness cues, offering the breast or bottle as needed.
- Choose the right formula: Select a formula that meets your baby’s nutritional needs and is easy for them to digest. Consult your healthcare provider for recommendations.
- Monitor your baby: Keep track of your baby’s weight gain, growth, and overall health to ensure they are thriving on a mixed feeding regimen.
Physical limitations or health circumstances
Certain conditions can influence the decision to use mixed feeding:
- Low milk supply: Mixed feeding can help ensure your baby gets enough calories if you have concerns about milk supply. Consider working with an IBCLC to find the best approach for you and your baby.
- Returning to work: Many mamas choose mixed feeding when returning to work to balance breastfeeding with other commitments. Read more about breastfeeding and returning to work or school.
- Health issues: Certain health conditions or medications might necessitate supplementing breastmilk with formula to ensure your baby’s safety and well-being.
Other terms
Understanding related terms can help you better manage mixed feeding and related feeding practices:
- Latch: The way your baby attaches to your breast. A good latch helps ensure effective feeding. Learn more about breastfeeding latch.
- Milk supply: The amount of milk produced by the breast. Ensuring adequate milk supply is important for breastfeeding success. Read about increasing your breastmilk supply.
- Responsive feeding: Feeding your baby based on their hunger and fullness cues rather than on a fixed schedule. Understand responsive or on-demand feeding.
- Paced feeding: A bottle-feeding technique that mimics breastfeeding, allowing the baby to control the flow of milk and reduce the risk of overfeeding. Learn how to do paced bottle feeding.
- Lactation consultant: A professional who can provide support and guidance on breastfeeding and feeding issues, including mixed feeding. What an IBCLC can do for you.
