Combining breastfeeding and bottle feeding, how to make it work
There are many reasons why you may want to combine breastfeeding and bottle feeding. Maybe your partner wants to take part in feeding, you are returning to work, or your baby needs supplementation. Whatever the reason, it is absolutely possible to combine breastfeeding and bottle feeding.
Here you will find practical advice based on Norwegian recommendations on how to make it work.
When can you start with a bottle?
According to Helsenorge, you should wait to introduce a bottle during the first weeks after birth, because the baby can develop nipple confusion from the bottle teat. Breastfeeding should be well established before you add a bottle.
For most people, this means:
- Wait until breastfeeding is well established , usually 3 to 4 weeks after birth
- The baby should be gaining weight well and seem satisfied at the breast
- Milk production should be stable and meet the baby's needs
If there is a medical reason why your baby needs supplementation early, healthcare professionals can guide you on how to combine feeding without negatively affecting breastfeeding.
Nipple confusion, is it real?
Yes. Helsenorge and Ammehjelpen confirm that nipple confusion is a real challenge. The baby uses a different sucking technique on a bottle than on the breast, and milk flows faster from a bottle.
The result can be that the baby prefers the bottle because it requires less effort. If the baby gets a bottle first, they may become so full that they do not suck properly at the breast. This reduces stimulation and can lead to lower milk production.
How to reduce the risk of nipple confusion
- Choose a bottle with a teat that resembles a nipple as closely as possible
- Use paced bottle feeding, hold the bottle more horizontally