Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. I only share products I personally used, loved, or would genuinely recommend.
When I was pregnant, I planned to breastfeed. I never expected that combo feeding would become such an important part of our routine.
What I didn’t realize was that feeding my baby wouldn’t end up being an all-or-nothing choice.
Over time, we settled into a feeding routine that included breastfeeding, occasional pumping, bottles, and some formula.
For our family, it worked incredibly well.
I primarily breastfed my son, but we eventually added an evening bottle before bedtime and occasionally used formula when someone else needed to feed him or when I felt like I wasn’t producing quite enough milk.
That flexibility made a huge difference during those first months.
If you’re considering combo feeding, here’s what worked for me, what I learned along the way, and the products that made it easier.
What Is Combo Feeding?
Combo feeding simply means using more than one feeding method.
For some families, that means breastfeeding and pumped milk.
For others, it means breastfeeding and formula.
Some families use all three.
There isn’t one “right” way to combo feed.
The goal is simply to find a feeding routine that works for your baby, your body, and your family.
Why We Chose Combo Feeding
My midwives recommended introducing a bottle around 6–8 weeks if we wanted our baby to accept bottles later on.
They explained that some babies become resistant to bottles if they’re introduced much later.
Similar to pacifiers, the longer you wait, the harder the transition can sometimes be.
I only gave my son a few bottles of pumped milk during those early weeks.
Then we went quite a while without using bottles regularly.
Eventually, we started offering an evening bottle before bedtime.
The main reason was simple: we hoped it would help him go to sleep with a full belly and potentially sleep a little longer.
It also helped take some of the pressure off me during the evening hours when milk production naturally tends to decrease.
That small change ended up working really well for our family.
The Emotional Side of Combo Feeding
This is something I don’t think enough people talk about.
There were times when I worried I wasn’t producing enough milk.
Those feelings can be incredibly emotional.
As moms, it’s easy to put a lot of pressure on ourselves.
But here’s what I learned:
Giving your baby formula does not mean you’ve failed.
Breastfeeding doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
Even if your baby receives some formula, they’re still getting the benefits of breastfeeding.
Fed is best.
Your well-being matters too.
If increasing milk supply is important to you, there are absolutely things you can try. Working with a lactation consultant can be incredibly helpful, and some moms find herbs or supplements beneficial as well.
But ultimately, the best feeding method is the one that keeps both mom and baby healthy and thriving.
What Worked Well for Our Family
More Flexibility
Combo feeding gave us more options.
If I needed to be away for an appointment or simply wanted a break, someone else could help with feedings.
Less Pressure on Mom
Knowing that bottles and formula were available when needed helped reduce a lot of stress.
I didn’t feel like every single feeding depended entirely on me.
Easier Bedtime Routine
Adding an evening bottle became a simple part of our bedtime routine and worked well for our family.
More Independence for Caregivers
My mom could feed my son when she was watching him, which made things significantly easier.
Combo Feeding Essentials That Helped Me
Dr. Brown’s Bottles
Dr. Brown’s bottles quickly became one of my favorites.
They were easy to clean, easy for my baby to take, and consistently worked well for us.
Once we found a bottle my son liked, I stuck with it.
👉 Check out the Dr. Brown’s bottles we used here.
Philips Avent Bottles
We also had great luck with Philips Avent bottles.
Having a second bottle option was helpful while we figured out what worked best.
👉 Check out Philips Avent bottles here.
Nursing Pillow
Whether I was breastfeeding or giving a bottle, a nursing pillow made feeding sessions much more comfortable.
It helped support my arms, shoulders, and back during longer feeds.
👉 Check out the nursing pillow I used here.
Burp Cloths
I kept burp cloths everywhere.
Beside the couch.
Next to the bed.
In the diaper bag.
In every feeding station.
You can never have too many.
👉 See my favorite burp cloths here.
Feeding Station
One of the best things I did was create feeding stations around the house.
Instead of constantly getting up for water, snacks, burp cloths, bottles, or nursing pads, everything stayed within arm’s reach.
You can see exactly what I kept stocked in my article Newborn Feeding Station Setup: What I Kept Within Reach Every Day.
Bottle Drying Rack
A bottle drying rack doesn’t sound exciting, but it became one of the most-used items in our kitchen.
Between bottles, nipples, pump parts, and other bottle feeding essentials, something was always drying.
👉 Check out the bottle drying rack we used here.
Milk Storage Bags
Because I occasionally pumped, milk storage bags were another useful item to keep on hand.
They made it easy to freeze milk whenever I collected more than expected.
👉 Check out the milk storage bags I used here.
Ceres Chill
The Ceres Chill became one of my favorite pumping products.
Instead of making repeated trips to the kitchen overnight, I could safely store milk beside me until morning.
👉 Check out the Ceres Chill here and use code CASS15 for 15% off.
Tips for Successful Combo Feeding
- Introduce bottles early if you plan to use them later.
- Don’t stress if your baby prefers one bottle brand over another.
- Keep multiple clean bottles ready.
- Create feeding stations around your home.
- Let trusted caregivers help with feedings when possible.
- Remember that feeding doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
Final Thoughts
Combo feeding ended up being one of the best decisions for our family.
It allowed me to continue breastfeeding while also giving us flexibility when we needed it.
Whether you’re combining breastfeeding and bottles, breastfeeding and formula, or all three, there is no perfect feeding plan.
There is only the feeding plan that works for your family.
For us, combo feeding gave us the flexibility we needed during those exhausting newborn months. Looking back, it’s a decision I’d make again in a heartbeat.
Every family’s feeding journey looks different, and that’s okay. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s finding what works best for you, your baby, and your family.
Related Articles for New Parents
- Breastfeeding Essentials for New Moms: What Actually Helps
- Bottle Feeding Essentials: What Actually Helped Me
- Newborn Night Feeding Essentials: What Actually Helped Me Survive the First Few Months
- Postpartum Essentials for New Moms: What Actually Helps Recovery
- Newborn Survival Guide for First Time Moms: What Actually Helped Me During the First Few Weeks
- 15 Things I Didn’t Know I Needed as a New Mom