Combo Feeding: How to Combine Breastfeeding and Bottle Feeding

Many parents reach a point where exclusive breastfeeding might not be practical, sustainable, or the right fit for their family. This guide is here to help you navigate it with confidence.

What Is Combo Feeding?

Combo feeding, in its most simplest terms, means using both breastmilk and infant formula to feed your baby. This can include expressed milk or pumped milk.

Some families breastfeed during the day and use bottles at night, while others may breastfeed and supplement with a bottle when needed.

The opposite of Combo Feeding is Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) or Exclusive Formula Feeding:

Feeding Type	What Baby Receives	How Milk is Given	Includes Breast Milk?	Includes Formula?	Example
Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF)	Only breast milk	Breast, bottle (pumped), cup, syringe	✅	❌	Nursing + occasional pumped milk bottle
Exclusively Formula Feeding	Only formula	Bottle, cup, etc.	❌	✅	Formula for all feeds
Combo Feeding	Breast milk + formula	Any method	✅	✅	Breastfeeding + some formula top-ups

Why Families Choose Combo Feeding

Parents may consider using combo feeding for many reasons:

• Returning to work or needing more scheduling flexibility
• Low milk supply
• Wanting a partner or caregiver to share in feeding
• To focus on physical recovery after birth
• Personal preference

When to Introduce a Bottle

Health Canada Guidelines recommend  “exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, and sustained for up to 2 years or longer with appropriate complementary feedings.”

That being said, this isn't a firm rule. If you are planning to incorporate bottle feeding earlier, it is recommended to wait until breastfeeding feels established, often around the three to four week mark to prevent nipple confusion or milk supply issues.

What a Combo Feeding Schedule Looks Like

Combo feeding doesn’t necessarily have to mean a 50/50 split of breastmilk and formula. You can adjust the ratio to suit your lifestyle, work schedule, and responsibilities between caregivers. Here are some common styles of combo feeding:

Style	What it looks like	Purpose	Example
Responsive	Feed based on baby’s hunger cues	Baby-led	Nurse when baby cues, then offer formula if still hungry
Feeding	Feed based on baby’s hunger cues	Baby-led	Nurse when baby cues, then offer formula if still hungry
Time-Based Feeding	Feeds happen on a set schedule	Parent-led	Breastfeed every 3 hrs, then offer a set amount of formula
Top-Up Feeding	Breastfeed first, then add formula after	Ensuring fullness	Nurse → offer 1–2 oz formula after
Split Feeding	Some feeds are breast milk, others are formula	Dividing feeds	Day = breastfeeding, night = formula bottles

Does Combo Feeding Affect My Milk Supply?

Breast milk production works on a supply-and-demand basis:

When milk is removed through nursing or pumping, your body makes more.

When milk is not removed, supply can gradually decrease.

If bottle feeds start to replace nursing sessions and maintaining or building your supply is a priority, consider breastfeeding or pumping to help maintain your supply.

Read more on maintaining your milk supply while combo feeding.

Why Some Babies Develop a Bottle Preference

Bottles typically deliver milk faster and more continuously than the breast, and some babies may pick up on the difference.

One way to reduce this confusion is a technique called paced bottle feeding. This approach is designed to slow things down and give your baby more control, more closely mimicking the experience of breastfeeding.

Key elements of paced feeding:

• Hold your baby in a semi-upright position
• Keep the bottle more horizontal, rather than tipped steeply downward
• Use a slow-flow nipple so feeds take approximately 15–20 minutes
• Wait for your baby to open their mouth and draw in the nipple, rather than inserting it
• Pause periodically throughout the feed
• Switch sides halfway through, as you would at the breast

Common Challenges and How to Approach Them

My baby seems to prefer the bottle. Try slowing the flow with paced feeding techniques, and offer the breast when your baby is calm and not overly hungry.

I think my supply is dropping. Consider adding a pumping session when a bottle replaces a feed, or try offering the breast first and following up with a bottle top-up if needed.

I'm feeling overwhelmed. That's a completely understandable response to early parenthood. Feeding decisions happen while you're fatigued, recovering, and learning your baby all at once.

If you’re looking to start combo feeding, the BuubiBottle is designed to switch seamlessly between breast and bottle. It has a true slow flow rate and matches your baby’s oral anatomy to reduce bottle preference.