Combination (Combo) feeding provides options and can support many families given life’s commitments and challenges; allowing for multiple family members or caregivers to provide a feeding to a baby or for nursing parents experiencing challenges. Breast or chest feeding difficulties may occur in the early days and weeks due to birthing interventions and postpartum complications, as well as, diabetes, obesity, fertility, PCOS, hypertension, or breast surgeries among other issues. This style of feeding often occurs naturally when breastfeeding is not going as expected. Words matter and using the term “combo feeding,” is a great title as any amount of breast milk is a success.
Combo feeding is providing milk in a combination of methods via breast/chest feeding, breast milk in a bottle, cup, syringe or spoon, or using donor milk as well as infant formula. This may happen in the first few hours after birth due to birth complications and if the baby is not gaining well. Later in the first few days, many babies may receive collected colostrum via syringe or spoon and may continue with pumped breastmilk to support the goals of the parent and infant formula may be required along the way.
Infant formula comes with additional risks and must be handled appropriately. See the CDC guidelines on formula safety. In order to protect breast and chest feeding, paced bottle feeding is recommended to pace the bottle flow to closely match the milk flow at the breast/chest. Ultimately the addition of infant formula may be necessary for a parent to reach their goal. Please reach out to an IBCLC if you need guidance to combo feed effectively or to reach an additional goal.