What do you need for combination feeding? Essential supplies and practical tips

Combination feeding, sometimes called mixed feeding, means combining breastfeeding with bottle feeding using expressed breast milk, infant formula or both. 

This guide covers what you might need for combination feeding, how to get started if this feels like the right step for you, and practical tips for making the move between breast and bottle easier. 

Tommee Tippee has products designed to support different parts of the feeding routine. For example, the Natural Start Perfect Latch Trial Kit includes bottles with two different teat designs, giving parents the chance to see which works best for their baby as they get used to bottle feeding.

Why choose combination feeding?

There are many reasons you might choose to combination feed. According to the NHS, these can include wanting more flexibility, returning to work or enabling someone else to feed your baby. For some families, combination feeding offers a practical way to fit feeding around everyday life, while continuing to give breast milk alongside bottle feeds.

There isn't a single approach that works for everyone, and your feeding routine may evolve as your baby grows or your circumstances change. What matters is finding an approach that works for you and your baby.

Mumsnet user Allegra82 says: “I combination fed my third. With 2 older kids I wanted some flexibility [...]”

How does combination feeding work in practice?

There’s no set schedule for combination feeding. You might breastfeed for some feeds and offer a bottle for others. If you're expressing breast milk to use in a bottle, some parents find it helpful to pump after a feed or at a regular time each day and store the milk for later use. The routine that works best will depend on your baby's feeding pattern, your milk supply and your family's day-to-day needs.

Don’t worry if your baby turns their nose up at the bottle at first. It can take a little time for a breastfed baby to get used to a new way of feeding. The NHS suggests offering the first few bottles when your baby is happy and relaxed, rather than very hungry. It may also help if someone else offers the bottle initially, particularly if your baby is used to feeding directly from you.

The benefits and challenges of combination feeding

Combination feeding can work well for many families, but there are a few things to be aware of.

Potential benefits

• More flexibility: Someone else can give a bottle while you rest, work or go out.

• Adapting to changing circumstances: Introducing bottles of expressed milk can allow you to continue breastfeeding when direct feeding isn’t always possible or practical.

• Sharing feeds: A partner or another caregiver can take on some bottle feeds.

Things to be aware of

• Your milk supply may change. Breast milk production is influenced by how often milk is removed from the breasts. The NHS notes that introducing formula feeds can reduce the amount of breast milk you produce, so it's worth getting individual advice if maintaining your supply is important to you.

• Some babies take time to switch between breast and bottle. There is a small amount of evidence, according to the NHS, that babies may breastfeed less effectively because they learn a different sucking action when feeding from a bottle. Some babies may take a little while to get used to switching between the two.

• There can be more equipment to clean and prepare. Bottles, teats, pump parts and storage bags can add to the feeding routine, particularly if you're expressing.

• Your routine may need some adjusting. Working out when to breastfeed, express or offer a bottle can take some trial and error. Your baby's needs and circumstances can change too.

What Mumsnet users say

“I only introduced a bottle of expressed milk around 10 weeks, no issues. My baby always took a bottle when offered. Try different bottles and [teats].” 223Sunshine  

What do you need for combination feeding?

You don't need to buy every feeding gadget going, but a few useful supplies can make moving between breast and bottle easier:

• Bottles and teats: There’s no single bottle that will suit every baby. Tommee Tippee’s Natural Start Bottles are designed to support a comfortable latch.

• A breast pump: If you're expressing breast milk, a wearable pump can make it easier to express while moving around. The Tommee Tippee Wearable Breast Pump is one option to consider.

• Milk storage: Tommee Tippee’s Milk Storage Bags come in a pack of 36 and hold up to 350ml of expressed milk, with the bags suitable for fridge or freezer storage.

• A bottle warmer: If you're regularly feeding expressed milk, a bottle warmer can be a useful optional extra for gently warming a feed, particularly during night feeds.

• A formula feed maker for feeding on the go: If you regularly use formula, the Tommee Tippee PrepGo UV Portable Formula Feed Maker combines a cooling flask with a built-in UV steriliser and can cool a formula feed in around two minutes.* It's designed to be used in line with NHS guidance for safe preparation.

• An insulated bottle bag: For days out or travelling, Tommee Tippee’s Insulated Bottle Bags are designed to help keep feeds at the right temperature for longer. Sold as a pair, they allow you to keep one bottle warm and another cool.

• A bottle brush and sterilising equipment: A bottle brush can make cleaning easier, including Tommee Tippee’s 2-in-1 Clean Bottle and Teat Brush, which is designed to reach harder-to-clean areas.

• Nursing pads and nipple cream: Some breastfeeding mums find them useful for managing leakage and keeping nipples comfortable.

• Feeding bibs: Tommee Tippee's Milk Feeding Bibs have an absorbent padded neckband designed to catch dribble and milk. They're soft, reversible and machine-washable, with selected styles also available in limited-edition Morris & Co. designs.

How to choose the right bottle and teat

There’s no one bottle or teat that will suit every baby, so you may need to try a few options before you find what works. Look for a bottle that feels comfortable for your baby and is straightforward for you to clean and sterilise.

The shape and flow of the teat are worth considering too. Some babies take more readily to one shape or flow than another, so be guided by how your baby feeds rather than feeling you need to change teat size simply because they’re getting older. If your baby seems to be swallowing a lot of air or is unsettled during feeds, you could also consider Tommee Tippee’s Advanced Anti-Colic Bottles.

Don’t worry if you need to try a few options. Give yourself time to work out what suits you and your baby. Whatever bottle you choose, cleaning and sterilising it properly is important for safe bottle feeding. 

The NHS recommends thoroughly washing and sterilising bottles and teats to help protect babies from infections. 

What Mumsnet users say

“We tried ‘own brand’ ones but found Tommee Tippee much easier to make with a wide neck. My son doesn't mind either, so we stuck with Tommee Tippee.” Straightomyhead

“I have 2 packs [of Tommee Tippee bottles] [...]. My baby has been using them since birth (EFF) and he has a little tongue tie - zero issues with feeding.” Preg1989

How to choose the right breast pump

If you’re planning to express breast milk, the right breast pump will depend on how often you plan to express, where you’ll use it and how much time you have.

A manual pump can work well for occasional expressing, while an electric pump may be more convenient if you're expressing regularly. If you're expressing several times a day, a double electric pump can save time by expressing from both breasts at once.

A wearable breast pump can be useful if you want to express while getting on with other things. Tommee Tippee’s Wearable Breast Pump is designed to sit inside your bra, so you can move around while expressing.

Comfort matters too. Look for adjustable suction settings and make sure the breast shield (or flange) fits comfortably. If you're expressing away from home, portability and ease of use are also worth considering.

If you're looking for a pump that can express from both breasts at once, Tommee Tippee’s Double Electric Breast Pump is another option to consider.

How to start combination feeding

Once you’re ready to introduce a bottle, choose a calm, low-pressure moment. The first bottle doesn't need to be a full feed – the aim is simply to give your baby the opportunity to explore something new without pressure.

We spoke to Claire Bailey, a registered nurse, midwife and health visitor with more than 16 years’ experience, for her practical tips on helping your baby get used to a bottle:

1. Offer the bottle before your baby gets very hungry. Your baby may be more willing to explore something new when they’re calm. Let them get used to the teat without pressure to take a full feed.

2. Experiment with different positions. Your baby may prefer to be held differently for a bottle than for breastfeeding. Claire suggests trying positions such as holding your baby facing out or sitting them propped up on your legs.

3. Try gentle movement. Some babies may respond well to being gently bounced or swayed while getting used to bottle feeding.

4. Be guided by your baby when it comes to teat flow. Some babies can find a fast-flow teat overwhelming, while others may prefer a faster flow. Watch your baby’s cues and speak to your health visitor or another feeding professional if you're unsure.

5. Try paced bottle feeding. Holding the bottle almost horizontally can help your baby control the milk flow and pause during feeds.

6. Experiment with milk temperature. Babies can have their own preferences, so you may find yours is happier with milk that’s warm, at room temperature or cooler, depending on the type of feed and safe preparation guidance.

7. Try something that smells familiar. Claire suggests wrapping the bottle in a muslin or cloth that smells of you, which may help some babies feel more settled.

Expert tips for feeding your baby on the go 

When you're combination feeding, a little preparation can make feeding away from home feel much easier. Here are some expert tips from Tommee Tippee: 

• Plan ahead: Think about when your baby is likely to need a feed and pack everything you'll need before you leave, whether that's bottles, expressed milk, breast pump equipment or other feeding essentials.

• Keep expressed milk cool: If you're taking expressed breast milk with you, it’s a good idea to use an insulated bottle bag to help keep it chilled until you're ready to use it.

• Warm feeds on the go: A portable bottle warmer can be useful when you're out and about, making it easier to warm expressed milk when you're ready to feed.

• Prepare formula feeds on the go: If you're using formula as part of combination feeding, measuring out the formula you'll need before you leave can make feeds easier to prepare when you're out. 

• Allow for flexibility: You don't have to stick rigidly to a timetable when you're out. Follow your baby's feeding cues and give yourself plenty of time for feeds, particularly if you're somewhere unfamiliar.

How to clean and sterilise feeding equipment

Whether you're breastfeeding, bottle feeding or expressing milk, cleaning and sterilising feeding equipment is important for keeping your baby safe from harmful bacteria. The NHS recommends sterilising bottles, teats and other feeding equipment until your baby is at least 12 months old.

• Step 1: Clean thoroughly

After a feed, take bottles apart and wash them, along with teats and breast pump parts that come into contact with milk, in hot soapy water. Use a clean bottle brush to remove milk residue, then rinse thoroughly.

• Step 2: Sterilise before the next feed

Once cleaned, sterilise the equipment according to the manufacturer's instructions. Depending on the equipment, this could mean using a steam steriliser, UV steriliser, cold-water sterilising solution or boiling.

The Tommee Tippee Ultra UV Steriliser, Dryer and Storage uses UV light to sterilise bottles, soothers, breast pumps and feeding accessories without water, steam or chemicals. It can sterilise and dry up to six bottles in one cycle, with a storage function for keeping equipment protected until you're ready to use it.

• Step 3: Consider self-sterilising bottles for added convenience

Tommee Tippee Natural Start bottles have a self-sterilising function that allows them to be sterilised in the microwave in as little as three minutes. You'll need to add water to the bottle base and follow the manufacturer's instructions, making this a potentially useful option for holidays, overnight stays or days out.

• Step 4: Store clean equipment safely

Once sterilised, handle feeding equipment carefully and store it according to the manufacturer's instructions. Avoid touching the inside of bottles or teats where possible.

If you're unsure about cleaning, sterilising or preparing feeds, check the NHS guidance or speak to your health visitor, midwife or another appropriate healthcare professional.

About Tommee Tippee 

Tommee Tippee has been caring for parents since 1965. With 60 years of expertise behind us, we understand that every parent and baby is different, and that parenting rarely goes exactly to plan. That’s why we create smart, empathetic solutions that make everyday parenting simpler and give parents the confidence to trust their own intuition. We’re here to support parents through the highs, the challenges, and everything in between.” 

About the author 

Tammy Jacks has over 20 years of experience in the publishing industry, holding key roles such as Managing Editor and Health & Beauty Editor for Woman & Home magazine in South Africa, and Assistant Editor for Living and Loving.

As a researcher and writer, Tammy specialises in children’s development, wellbeing and safety. She has extensive experience covering baby and child development topics, including feeding, weaning, changing, sleep routines, bedtime and everyday parenting challenges.

*Based on preparing a 120ml feed with boiling water and cooling to 40°C.