What is combination feeding?

Combination feeding — sometimes called combo feeding or mixed feeding — means feeding your baby both breast milk and infant formula. This can mean breastfeeding at some feeds and giving a bottle at others, topping up a breastfeed with formula, or expressing breast milk and mixing it with formula feeds. Combination feeding is a common and widely accepted approach used by many families worldwide.

There is no single "correct" version of combination feeding. Most families who do it adapt the approach to fit their lives — some breastfeed primarily and top up occasionally, others formula feed primarily and breastfeed once or twice a day.

Why do parents choose combination feeding?

The reasons are as varied as the families who do it. Common reasons include returning to work, low milk supply, difficulty breastfeeding, wanting a partner to share feeding, or simply wanting more flexibility. Some mothers find exclusive breastfeeding physically or emotionally demanding and use combination feeding to continue giving breast milk without the pressure of exclusivity.

There is no wrong reason. Combination feeding is not "giving up" — it is an active choice to keep breast milk in the picture while meeting your family's practical needs.

Does combination feeding affect milk supply?

It can. Breast milk production works on supply and demand — the more your baby feeds from the breast, the more milk your body produces. Replacing breastfeeds with formula means fewer signals to produce milk, which can gradually reduce supply. Whether this matters depends on your goals. If you want to maintain breastfeeding long-term, it is worth doing so intentionally and with guidance from a lactation consultant.

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