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Key takeaways

• Choose from breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or combination feeding.
• The best feeding choice is what makes you happy.
• Midwives and health visitors can provide support.
• Help is available for any feeding challenges.

Your guide to feeding your baby

Feeding your baby can take time to feel confident about. There are three main ways to feed your baby: breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or combination feeding. Combination feeding is also called mixed feeding.

This means offering your baby bottles of expressed breast milk or formula alongside breastfeeding. Advice and tips are available whether you choose to breastfeed, formula feed, or do a bit of both. Support is there for you.

The main thing is that you are happy with how you feed your baby. If you are struggling or feel stressed, talk to your midwife or health visitor. They can offer advice and support.

The basics of breastfeeding

Breastfeeding can be tricky at first. It often becomes easier and more satisfying once you have mastered it. Breast milk is tailor-made for your baby.

Benefits for your baby

Breast milk contains vitamins and minerals. It is always available and protects your baby from certain infections. Breastfeeding helps improve your baby's long-term health.

It reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It also lowers the risk of childhood diabetes and leukaemia.

Any amount of breastfeeding is good. Exclusively breastfeeding for six months offers more protection.

Continuing to breastfeed after six months protects your baby from infections. It also helps them digest solid foods. Breast milk adapts as your baby grows to meet their changing needs.

Benefits for you

Breastfeeding also offers benefits for you. It helps your womb (uterus) return to its normal size after birth. Breastfeeding is a lovely way to bond with your baby.

It releases a hormone called oxytocin, which helps you feel calm and connected. Breastfeeding lowers your risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer. It also reduces the risk of weak bones (osteoporosis), diabetes, and conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels (cardiovascular disease).

Positioning and latching

Breastfeeding is a skill that you and your baby learn together. It can take time to get used to. It should be comfortable and should not hurt.

You can try different positions to find what works best. Get comfortable before a feed, using pillows if needed. Your shoulders and arms should be relaxed.

Ensure your baby's head and body are in a straight line. It is hard for them to swallow if their head and neck are twisted. Hold your baby close to you, facing your breast.

Support their neck, shoulders, and back. This allows them to tilt their head back easily.

Achieving a good latch

Bring your baby to the breast and let them latch themselves.

Your baby needs to get a large mouthful of breast. Place your baby with their nose level with your nipple. This encourages them to open their mouth wide.

When their mouth is open wide enough, their chin should touch your breast first. Their head should be tipped back. You should see more of the darker skin around your nipple (areola) above your baby's top lip than below their bottom lip.

Your baby's cheeks will look full and rounded as they feed.

Milk supply

Your breast milk is produced on a supply and demand basis. The more frequently your baby feeds, the more milk your body will produce.

This is especially important in the first few weeks. Stimulating your breasts by feeding tells your body to make more milk.

Let your baby guide you on how often to feed. This is known as feeding on demand. It helps maintain a good milk supply.

Topping up with first infant formula means your baby will feed less often. This can reduce your breast milk production. If you are planning to top up, it is best to wait until breastfeeding is well established.

Avoiding dummies until breastfeeding is established (usually after one month) can also help. Dummies are sucked differently and may reduce how often your baby feeds.

If you are apart from your baby, regularly expressing milk will help maintain your supply.

Common challenges and support

If you have any problems with breastfeeding, ask for help as soon as possible. Your midwife, health visitor, or a breastfeeding specialist can help.

• Sore or cracked nipples – This usually happens because your baby is not well positioned and attached.
• Not enough breast milk – Offer your baby both breasts at each feed, alternating which breast you start with. Keep your baby close and hold them skin-to-skin.
• Breast engorgement – This is when your breasts get too full of milk. They may feel hard, tight, and painful.
• Baby not latching on properly – If breastfeeding is painful or your baby is not satisfied, they may not be latching properly.
• Tongue-tie – This is when the strip of skin under the baby's tongue is shorter than usual. It can make latching difficult.
• Low milk supply – This can happen if you are away from your baby, or feel stressed or anxious.
• Blocked milk duct – This can happen if engorgement continues, causing a small, tender lump. Frequent feeding from the affected breast can help.
• Inflammation of the breast (mastitis) – This happens when a blocked duct is not relieved, making the breast hot and painful with flu-like symptoms. It is important to continue breastfeeding.

You are not alone in learning to breastfeed. Midwives, health visitors, and trained local volunteers (peer supporters) can help. There are also helplines and websites for support.

• National Breastfeeding Helpline – 0300 100 0212
• Association of Breastfeeding Mothers – 0300 330 5453
• La Leche League – 0345 120 2918
• National Childbirth Trust (NCT) – 0300 330 0700
• The Breastfeeding Network – offers a supporter line in Bengali and Sylheti – 0300 456 2421

You can also find local breastfeeding drop-ins, cafes, and centres. Ask your midwife, health visitor, or GP for details. The Lactation Consultants of Great Britain website can help you find a lactation consultant.

Understanding bottle feeding

You may decide to bottle feed your baby with expressed breast milk or infant formula. If you use infant formula, first infant formula (first milk) should be your first choice. You can use it throughout the first year.

Bottle feeding equipment

You will need several bottles, teats, and a bottle brush. You will also need sterilising equipment.

This could be a cold-water steriliser, microwave, or steam steriliser. Simple bottles that are easy to wash and sterilise are often best.

Making up bottles

Sterilise bottles and teats until your baby is at least 12 months old. Wash your hands thoroughly before handling sterilised items.

Screw the top tightly onto the bottle to ensure the teat is properly attached. If using infant formula, follow the instructions on the packaging carefully.

How to bottle feed your baby

Bottle feeding is a chance to bond with your baby. Keep your baby close to you and enjoy skin contact. Babies feel more secure if parents or main caregivers give most feeds.

1. Feed when hungry – Feed your baby when they show signs of hunger, such as moving their head and mouth or sucking on fingers. Crying is a late sign of hunger.
2. Hold your baby close – Hold your baby in a semi-upright position, supporting their head so they can breathe and swallow comfortably. Look into their eyes and talk to them.
3. Introduce the teat – Gently rub the teat against your baby's top lip. When they open their mouth wide, let them draw in the teat.
4. Take breaks – Your baby may need short breaks during the feed; watch for cues like splaying fingers or turning their head away. Gently remove the teat to stop the flow when this happens.
5. Burp your baby – When your baby does not want more milk, hold them upright. Gently rub or pat their back to bring up any wind.

Keep the bottle horizontal or slightly tipped. This prevents milk from flowing too fast.

Never force your baby to finish a feed. Never leave your baby alone to feed with a propped-up bottle. They may choke on the milk.

Introducing a bottle

Babies have a strong sucking reflex at first. This means they usually suck on a teat easily. This reflex fades after a few weeks.

Introducing a bottle can take time for your baby to get used to. Take your time and go in small steps. Keep the bottle horizontal so your baby controls the milk flow.

It can help if someone else offers the bottle. You could also try having the teat at room temperature. If your baby becomes upset, stop for a few days.

Exploring combination feeding

Combination feeding is when you offer your baby bottles of expressed breast milk or formula. This is done alongside breastfeeding. It is also known as mixed feeding.

It can take several weeks for you and your baby to feel confident with breastfeeding. Once you are both comfortable, you can offer bottles of expressed milk or formula.

Reasons for combination feeding

There are many reasons why parents choose combination feeding.

• You may find it difficult to breastfeed exclusively.
• You may need someone else to feed your baby when you are away.
• You might want to share feeding duties with your partner.
• You may prefer to give your baby expressed breast milk from a bottle.
• You might want to start breastfeeding after bottle feeding.
• You may be returning to work or study.
• You might be struggling with breastfeeding and need to give your baby some formula.
• You may be unable to produce enough milk.

Introducing a bottle or formula

It is generally a good idea to wait until breastfeeding is well established. This usually takes about 6 to 8 weeks after birth.

Some parents may choose to combine feed from birth. This is safe, but it can be more challenging to establish breastfeeding.

Feeding from a bottle is different from feeding from the breast. Some babies may prefer one or find it hard to switch.

If you are introducing formula feeds, do it gradually. This gives your body time to reduce milk production. It also helps lower your chance of getting uncomfortable, swollen breasts, or inflammation of the breast (mastitis).

Give yourself time to adjust. Introducing infant formula will likely reduce your breast milk supply. To keep your supply going, keep breastfeeding regularly.

How to start combination feeding

You could start by replacing one breastfeed a day with a bottle feed. It can take about 5 to 7 days for your breasts to adjust.

• Introduce the first bottle feed when your baby is calm. Do not offer it when they are tired or very hungry.
• Use a slow-flow teat to copy the flow of breastfeeding.
• Express your milk regularly between bottle feeds to maintain your supply.
• Try to copy the positions you use for breastfeeding when bottle feeding.
• It may help if someone else gives the first bottle feeds. This is so your baby is not near you and smelling your breast milk.
• You might want to try a different position for bottle and breastfeeding.

If your baby is 6 months old or more, they may be able to drink milk from a cup. In this case, you may not need to introduce a bottle at all.