Bottle feeding - give me your wisdom!

[123woop]

I am hoping to combi feed from about 4 weeks (Ive only EBF previously, so bottle feeding is a whole new world!)

I would like advice on:

• Breast pump recommendations
• sterilisers and when to use them (do I use them until baby is 6 MO or longer or less time - it's a minefield trying to figure it out!!)
• bottle recommendations - I hear Mam are the best? Do I stick to teat 1 whilst I'm still BFing?

I used the Ameda Lactaline which can be used as a single or double.

It's been a while since I pumped though. I think I just sterilised the pump once a week.

Can't help on the bottles sorry.

You might like the book mixed up by Lucy ruddle.

Mam I found good for supplementing because they self sterilise but the bottom screws off which makes it a pain if you warm the bottle in hot water as it sucks up loads of water which dribbles down your arm. I also didn't like the teat shape for paced feeding.

The best for making formula is wide neck but if you want to do paced feeding then I'd recommend the narrowest bottle you can find.

Elvie pump (life saver) & medela swing. Best combo in my opinion.
Elvie pump for when you have no time and are running around. Medela for when you want to get as much as possible out and have some time to sit down

MAM bottles are the best IMO. All 3 of mine took well to it after trying Different brands.

I always sterilised until 6m then only washed with washing liquid(anti bac one) or dishwasher for my 3rd 🤣 xx

I only ever bottle fed so no advice on combi. I used Avent for my first two and a nurse in the nicu recommended Mam for my third and they were brilliant I'd highly recommend them. I had an old avent steriliser that I used but when it broke I just used Milton and cold water the old fashioned way and being honest I loved it. Everything felt cleaner. I also batch made bottles and kept them in the fridge until needed and I personally served bottles at room temp and never heated milk.

Mam I found good for supplementing because they self sterilise but the bottom screws off which makes it a pain if you warm the bottle in hot water as it sucks up loads of water which dribbles down your arm.

Agree. PITA. And I couldn’t even self-sterilise because my microwave wasn’t tall enough for the bottle to stand up in.

I combi fed pretty much from birth in terms of expressed, formula added in at just over 5 months when I returned to work

Breast pump I use Arlo Calypso and highly recommend

Bottles we did Nanobebe followed by Tommee Tippee medium flow closer to nature at 6 months

formula we do Kenadmil organic and so far so good!

best of luck x

Get a microwave sterilizer they are life changing. Put some water in, fill it with bottles and then they're all done in just a few minutes.

This is so good! Thank you so much!!

I combi fed my first. Tbh it was way more of a hassle than just EBF. I certainly didn't feel like it gave me any extra time or rest.

That said some tips for bottle feeding and breastfeeding together.

Look up paced feeding. Really useful when combi feeding.

Don't adjust the teat size. Your nipple holes don't change size so no need to change the bottle ones.

Stick to small bottles. We never went over 5oz for a formula feed as baby can help themselves to as much breastmilk as they need at other feeds.

Keep the night feeds and bedtime feed as breastmilk. Much easier for you, there's sleep hormones in breastmilk, and if they do have issues with reflux etc with bottles then they won't have that issue at night.

We used avent bottles with their steriliser. They were fine and did the job.