How to combi feed?

[ellybelly123]

Hello, after a tough journey EBF first baby for 9 months with major weight issues combined with bottle refusal/general fussiness, I'm keen to combi feed second baby to help monitor intake/keep options open re top ups (but also like ease of BF in the middle of the night and closeness it gives). Looking for positive experiences and examples of what this looked like for others - how much formula did you typically give, and did you feed on demand or have more of a schedule? Would you combi feed again?

I've not Combi fed but I think it would be best to talk to a BFC on one of the helplines who can talk you through how to Combi feed and keep your supply

I did it with two babies due to borderline low supply/weight issues.

I mainly gave a small bottle of formula after every breastfeed, but I pace fed these slowly and watched for fullness cues. I didn't replace any feeds with bottles. I pumped too in the early days (triple feeding) but this wasn't sustainable long term. Eventually it became such that I only topped up the before bed feed and the babies took their biggest feeds of the day around that time. I'd top up other times if they seemed hungry but both babies eventually only ended up taking bottles before bed.

The way I combi fed was planned and tweaked together with an IBCLC (especially with my first baby). We did it the way we did so I could maximise my supply.

Everyone will have different goals so maybe working with an IBCLC would be a good investment? With my second I met with her pre baby and 2 times post baby to make a really coherent plan for feeding and adjust it as needed.