r/combinationfeeding

I’m preparing for baby’s arrival next month. We’re planning to combi feed after seeing a few friends doing this successfully, and I want to buy some things to make life as easy as possible for the formula feeding part of that. I was originally thinking to get the Tommee Tippee bundle with the perfect prep pro machine and the steriliser - both of which seem well regarded online.

But then I saw the Amazon reviews for the prep pro machine are 2.5 stars (but reviews sites are good?) I also then came across the baby brezza wash, sterilise and dry machine which seems much better than just the TT steriliser, but is a lot more expensive and my husband (who is cleaning obsessed) said he will be fine to keep on top of bottle washing and we can get a special bottle brush etc. I have to say, I hadn’t realised until recently that a steriliser doesn’t also wash the bottle and these are each separate steps (baby isn’t here yet and so we’ve never prepared bottles before so just learning the ropes now!)

Price aside, what did you actually find useful in terms of bottle prep, and washing / sterilising? We would buy a thermometer to check temperature from the prep machine.

I know there are very mixed views generally on prep and sterilising machines as some people say it’s easy enough to do it yourself etc, but I do like the sound of both so I more want to understand, from those who do use such machines, what you like. We’re moving house in Jan and will have a lot more kitchen space so space isn’t a problem (and we will just manage until then).

Thanks in advance!

Has anyone introduced formula at this stage? For reference she’s EBF right now. I am going back to work in 2 months and I want her to have formula during the day at daycare and I can breastfeed her in the mornings. Is it too late? We’re already working on just her taking a bottle, which she’s not great at.

About 2 mos ago, my milk supply fell substantially and I have been trying to get it back since. Now we are supplementing with formula because my bub’s weight wouldn’t budge. (For context, my bub is 5mos.) Powerpumping, normal pumping, I tried the teas, the supplements and everything in-between. I used to be able to pump with a momcozy machine about 90-120mls per session easily and now the same exact pump delivers two drops, if that. I rented the hospital grade Medela Symphony, that also didn’t deliver a single drop! However, when i hand express, i do get anywhere from 5 to 20 mls per session. I was considering trying the manual pump but I ak wondering if it is worth it? Has anyoje had a similar experience? Please do share 🙏

Moms who switched to combo feeding to preserve their sanity-I’d love to hear your experience!

I have a one-month-old baby and I’m thinking about replacing the feeding around midnight with formula. That’s the time when I’m still exhausted but can usually manage to pump, and I’m wondering if giving her formula instead might help her sleep a little longer.

I’m also considering replacing one morning feed with formula.
I’m mainly looking for advice from anyone who has done something similar - did it work for you? Did it help you get a little more sleep/sanity, and how did you manage pumping when replacing feeds with formula?

Hello all! I am 6 mo PP and baby boy has been breastfed since birth. I never expected to pump but due to an unplanned c-section and difficulty positioning baby due to my breast size (J cups) I decided to pump. I don’t make enough now (supply dropped dramatically when I went back to work) and am pumping 16-20oz a day with 5 ppd and we combo feed. Baby gets 2 oz in each bottle (6 bottles/ day) of BM and the rest is formula.

My original goal was 6 months of breastfeeding, but I feel a profound sadness thinking about quitting despite knowing that it would be better for my mental health to not pump. My pumping journey was really, really tough. I ended up passing multiple large blood clots out of both breast’s and had to have a breast biopsy 3 mo pp due to the clots and a suspicious mass (benign thankfully but before the biopsy resulted I really thought I had cancer). I feel like since he had to be combo fed, I failed him. I’m struggling to stop and just need some support. Is the 2 oz enough for him to get any benefits? Idk what to do, do I keep going?

I’m at my wits end. My baby who has been combo fed from the get go suddenly at 4 months has a bottle aversion where sometimes he world cry when he sees the bottle and other times turn his head or push the bottle when offered.

I know there’s the Rowena method to fix this but I’ve been too chicken to try that.

Instead I found that the only way my baby accepts the bottle now is when I’m mid breastfeeding or mid latched and I de latch him and give him the bottle at the exact moment. I’ve to do this when he gets a little drowsy after sucking. It’s been working since a few days now.

Do I continue doing this? What else can and should I do?

Looking for experience or recommendations for alternating formula with breastfeeding. Every other feed would be the other but nights would still be only breastfeeding. Trying to figure out how to combo feed but still maintain a supply without pumping. Or am I being unrealistic? Lol

My 4 month old has been EBF with an occasional pumped bottle- has always been a big eater! Never had latch problems and my supply has always seemed great. She has always been very small weight wise but recently dropped below her growth curve. Pediatrician has recommended to supplement with formula to help with weight gain and fussiness. I’m all for it because my anxiety has been ridiculous with trying to make sure she’s gaining weight with only breastfeeding. We tried to offer her a formula bottle after feeds but she really isn’t taking much. I feel like my milk volume is there but wonder if it’s not “rich” enough because of some diet changes I’ve had to make (nonfat/lowfat foods, limited dairy). I want to continue to breastfeed for as long as my supply is there. But could alternating lead to the end of the breastfeeding journey or does the supply regulate to the more stretched out feeds?

Hoping others have had a similar experience and can share their tips or tricks!❤️