Combination Feeding

Combination Feeding

Why mothers may choose this method

Breast feeding is best for baby and experts advise that babies are solely breast fed for the first 6 months. However, for a variety of reasons, at some stage during lactation, some mothers will wish to formula feed their baby. If this is the case, then a gradual change from breast to bottle is advisable.

Combining breast feeding with bottle feeding is becoming increasingly common, as more women return to work and as new fathers want to be involved in the care of their baby by helping with the feeds.

Back to work

Mothers going back to work can still continue to breast feed at night and in the morning. They should give themselves enough time, especially in the morning, to make sure they have lots of skin on skin contact with their baby.

They should make it important to spend special time together with their baby when not at work. Morning, evenings and weekends are times when they can build and strengthen the emotional bonds between them and their baby.

Family can help feed baby

If a mother decides that she would like her baby to have breast milk even when they are not together, she can give the family member (or childcare provider) bottles of expressed milk to give to her baby.

This will not lessen the bond between the mother and her baby.

Tips to pass on for successful combination feeding

Introduce the bottle gradually so that the baby has time to adjust to the change.

For a mother who continues with breast milk only, she will need to express her milk using a breast pump. Expressed breast milk can be kept in the main body of the fridge for up to 24 hours. It can be stored in special pre-sterilised bags and bottles in the freezer for up to 3 months (make sure it’s frozen within 24 hours).

If formula is given at the same feed as the breast feed, always advise the mother to breast feed first as this will keep up her supply of milk.

Just as with feeding infant formula, bottles, teats and equipment such as breast pumps need to be sterilised.

For mothers who are unable to breast feed or choose not to for physical, social or practical reasons, infant formula is the only alternative for these babies. SMA Gold* and SMA White* are specially made to contain all the key nutrients babies need for healthy growth and development.

Special feeds are also available from birth for problems such as colic, milk intolerance and reflux, which are available on prescription or in a pharmacy.

From 6 months onwards a follow-on milk such as SMA Progress* can be incorporated into a baby’s weaning diet.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Breast feeding is best for babies. Infant milks are intended to replace breast milk when mothers do not breast feed. Good maternal nutrition is important for the preparation and maintenance of breast feeding. Introducing partial bottle feeding may have a negative effect on breast feeding and reversing a decision not to breast feed is difficult. You should always seek the advice of a doctor, midwife, health visitor, public health nurse, dietitian or pharmacist on the need for and proper method of use of infant milks and on all matters of infant feeding. Infant milk should always be prepared and used as directed. Unnecessary or improper use of infant milk may present a health hazard. Social and financial implications should be considered when selecting a method of infant feeding. • SMA PROGRESS is a follow-on milk for babies over 6 months and is not intended to replace breast feeding. When used in conjunction with solid feeding, it provides the nourishment essential to a baby's healthy and sustained growth.

*Trade Mark

This information is intended for use only by residents of the UK and ROI