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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Combi feeding confusion !

3 replies

Moonlight2024 · 03/06/2025 19:08

Hi all. Bit of background..DS is nearly 3 weeks, we had a rough start: he wouldn’t latch and any attempt was extremely painful for me. We moved to formula as we didn’t see there being another option and we just wanted a fed and happy baby! Started pumping at around day 6 after milk came in and nips recovered. Pump now 5 times a day producing a total of around 250ml. Baby just had tongue tie cut and amazingly he has started to latch (with nip shields). I’m now trying to figure out how to navigate feeding with hopefully avoiding triple feeding, which will be unmanageable once my DH goes back to work soon. I suppose my question is, can I just ditch the pumping now? in an ideal world I’d like to breastfeed 50% of the time and continue to bottle formula feed for the other 50%. Is that realistic ? Do I need to wean off the pump? Do I need to stick to a routine eg formula at night BF in day? Baby brain is making this all a challenge to get my head around so any success stories/examples/advice gratefully appreciated.

OP posts:
Anoncomment · 03/06/2025 20:49

Congratulations on your new arrival! And well done for trying to find a feeding routine that works for you, through all the challenges.

If you can link in with your infant feeding team they should be able to guide you through the change. Or if you can afford a private lactation consultant, a good one is worth their weight in gold.

I'd imagine that you'd need to transition one feed at a time, to avoid any clogs / supply issues. I've heard moving too fast off pumping can lead to incomplete emptying of the breast so the slower you can move across within a reasonable timeframe the better I'd say.

For combi feeding, you'll need to stick to a routine on it. I would keep at least one breast feed at night time to keep your supply high, as prolactin levels are highest at night.

If you keep the bottles small in terms of Oz, it stops babies stomach getting stretched / them expecting more milk than you can give in one breastfeed. Plus use a slow flow teat, and paced feeding, to stop baby getting a bottle preference. If baby ever does refuse the breast in preference of a bottle, sometimes giving them an Oz or two of formula and then latching them on makes it easier - hunger can make them cranky little things!

Where combi feeding gets a bit challenging is during growth spurts. When babies cluster feed, especially around the 6 week mark, it can be discouraging. It often feels like they're not getting enough & it's tempting to just give more formula. The downside of this is it if you just give a bigger bottle during this time your milk supply doesn't get the signals to grow. It's totally normal for them to be on the boob non stop during a developmental leap or growth spurt.

Local breastfeeding groups can be a big help if you have any near you?

Best of luck with it! And remember, the most important thing for your baby is a happy, healthy mama so make sure you're a priority in your choices. ❤️

Moonlight2024 · 03/06/2025 21:26

Thank you so much @Anoncomment i really appreciate your very detailed response!!
I had no idea how much there was to learn about breastfeeding and it’s just been rather overwhelming! Thanks for all the tips x

OP posts:
Anoncomment · 03/06/2025 21:45

It does get easier & less over-whelming, I promise. I didn't bother to learn anything about breastfeeding before my first because I thought it would just be so natural and easy - ha!! But gradually you pick up info & figure out your own way of doing things.

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