Combi feeding from day 3?

[user1468244773]

Has anyone done it? I know they say to wait at least 6 weeks but that's not an option for us. I would like to combi feed, especially through the night.

How does it work? Do I have to express if I miss a feed? I like the idea of feeding expressed milk in a bottle instead of formula but that will take some doing to get a stash up surely?

I have given one bottle a day from the start but I think any more than that would affect breastfeeding too much and you'd end up totally on bottles.

If you want to do it I'd give one bottle a day (say at 11pm) and breastfeed the rest of the time for about 4-6 weeks. It'd have to be formula at first coz you'd never be able to express enough straight away. To increase supply so you can switch the bottles to expressed milk they say the morning is the best time to express (after feeding). But if you're aim is to pump enough to give bottles 2-3 times a night I think you'd end up spending all of your days feeding/pumping, it's time consuming!

For at least 6 weeks you'd need to express the missed feeds or risk your supply. You'll also be in for more cluster feeding doing it so early but it is doable. No more than one bottle per day though, or again you'll risk your supply.

Look at KellyMom and Google Power Pumping.

I pumped loads and would aim to pump twice per day giving enough milk for 1-2 feeds by bottle with expressed milk.

Pumping is hard work though because you need to over supply to get the extra milk.

Good luck though. It can definitely be done