- Wait until breastfeeding is well-established as changes can interfere with mom’s supply.
- This should help to prevent nipple confusion too—when your baby gets more familiar with the feel of a bottle teat, and has trouble latching onto your breast due to the different way he has to suck it.
- Using formula milk will reduce the amount of breast milk your body produces.
- Start with one bottle-feed a day. Make sure baby isn’t hugely hungry for the first one, it’s best if they’re relaxed and happy.
- Try to set a combination feeding schedule of bottle-feeding or breastfeeding at the same time each day. It doesn’t have to be rigid, just make sure you’re responding to your baby’s “I’m hungry” cues.
- If you’re returning to work, try to introduce combination feeding to your baby a few weeks before.
- Make up each formula feed as and when you need it. Check you’re following the manufacturer’s preparation and storage instructions.
- Ready-to-use formula cartons can be handy for combination feeding.
- For hygiene reasons, discard unfinished feed as soon as possible. If your baby struggles with bottle-feeding, try different teats until they’re happy.
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