Combination feeding

[Mum5687]

Hypothetically, if someone was going to combination feeding (1 FF a day and BF rest of time) from the start, what would this involve? Would you have to pump during the feed you're not BFing or if you start this from the beginning giving 1 FF a day (ie evening feed) would you not have to pump?

Please no judgement about BFing etc, I'm just looking for practical advice from parents who have combination fed from the start and what it looks like.

Realistically if you want to combi feed from the start you'd be better off giving a bottle at another time of day until your supply is established. Babies cluster feed in the evening when your supply is lower to try and up your supply and a pump won't do that as effectively as a baby. I guess you're thinking about being able to have a break and get some sleep which is understandable but you'd be far better off getting your partner to get up 2h before they have to leave for work and giving the formula then just until your supply is established

Not essential but I think it would help maintain supply. But in an ideal world your supply would just match demand so in theory you shouldn't need to pump. In my experience though supply can be affected and the baby can favour a bottle and it becomes the easier option to switch to bottle feeding entirely.

To keep your milk supply, you would need to pump the missed feed. Babies tend to nurse a lot at night because it's an important time for your supply, we tend to build our supply at night. Formula tends to make babies sleep longer so there's a chance your supply could drop if it makes you miss feeds at you don't pump...

Also, make sure you look up paced feeding if you do intend to use a bottle for on e feed. If you can afford to do a breastfeeding course it's totally worth the money to prepare. I'm afraid, for most of us, it's not as easy as just put baby on the breast and it'll all work out fine