How to find the PERFECT balance when combo feeding breastmilk and formula!

I remember a conversation I had with a client not too long ago—she was exhausted, her baby still seemed hungry all the time, and she was staring down the reality of going back to work. She looked at me through tired eyes and said, “Formula just sounds like such a relief.

If you’ve ever felt this way, you’re not alone.

Maybe you’re already combo feeding because of latch difficulties, low supply, or your baby’s weight gain issues in the early days. Or maybe you’re still exclusively breastfeeding, but thinking about adding formula to the mix and wondering what it means for your goals.

And the questions start rolling in:

• Will combo feeding ruin my milk supply?
• Will my baby start to prefer bottles over the breast?
• If I give formula, does it mean I failed?

Let’s take a deep breath together and talk about it.

You can breastfeed and use formula. You can do both—and do it well. You can also work toward getting back to exclusive breastfeeding if that’s your goal. Either way, you don’t have to sacrifice your milk supply or your confidence.

In this post, I’m going to walk you through four pillars of successful combination feeding—and offer some tips to make it work for you. Because your feeding plan should fit your life, not the other way around.

(This post was originally a video. Check it out, here!)

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Protect Your Milk Supply

If you want to continue breastfeeding—even just part-time—you have to protect your milk supply.

Your milk supply is regulated by demand. Every time milk is removed (by nursing or pumping), your body gets the signal to make more. So, when you give a formula bottle, you’ve got to “tell” your body about it by pumping or nursing around that same time.

One of my favorite sayings is: We don’t keep secrets from our breasts. (Credit to one of the awesome coaches in my program!)

Let me share a quick story—Rachel, one of our clients, was three weeks postpartum, exhausted, and barely functioning. Her partner gave a formula bottle one night so she could sleep, and she got a glorious four-hour stretch of rest. That part was a win. But she didn’t pump during that feed. Then it happened again… and again.

Within a few weeks, she was down to nursing just three times a day, her supply had dropped, and her baby was fussy at the breast. She hadn’t meant to make formula the default—it just kind of happened.

Thankfully, we worked together to rebuild her supply, reintroduce the breast in a manageable way, and use formula intentionally instead of letting it take over. Now she’s confidently combo feeding in a way that truly works for her—and her baby is thriving.

Bottom line: Every formula feed should be paired with a nursing or pumping session if you want to maintain your supply. Especially in those early weeks when your milk production system is still learning your baby’s needs.

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Use Formula Intentionally

Formula isn’t the enemy. It’s a tool. And when used with intention, it can be life-changing.

I want you to ask yourself a few questions before reaching for the formula:

• Why am I using this bottle?
• Is it for convenience? Sleep? A growth concern?
• Is this a temporary solution or part of a long-term routine?

Knowing your why helps you stay confident and in control.

Take Andrea, for example. Her baby was in the NICU and started on formula right away—completely outside her control. Once they were home, she wanted to shift more toward breastfeeding. We built a plan together that honored her goals and kept her stress levels manageable. She said, “For the first time, I wasn’t just reacting—I had a plan.”

With that clarity and support, she was eventually able to reduce formula to zero and return to exclusive breastfeeding. But the key was intention.

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Support Your Baby’s Experience

One of the biggest concerns I hear? “I’m afraid my baby will start preferring the bottle.”

This is a valid concern. Bottles are easier. They don’t require as much effort from your baby, and milk flows fast. So once a baby figures that out, they might resist going back to the breast—especially if your milk flow is slow or your supply is lower.

That’s where paced bottle feeding comes in. This technique slows the feed down to mimic the flow of breastfeeding. It gives your baby time to register fullness and keeps them used to working for their milk.

Also, start with the breast whenever possible, and then offer a bottle if needed. This keeps your body in the loop and encourages your baby to continue latching.

A great example is Emily. Her baby had started refusing the breast. We looked at her bottle-feeding technique and noticed she was using a fast-flow nipple, even though she was pacing the feeds. Once she switched to a slow-flow nipple, her baby began nursing again within a week. In most cases, it’s not the nipple shape that causes nipple confusion—it’s the flow rate.

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Balance Your Needs, Too

Let’s not forget—you matter in this equation.

Combo feeding isn’t just about what’s best for the baby. It’s also about what’s sustainable for you. If a formula bottle helps you get a stretch of sleep, or allows your partner to take a feed so you can catch your breath—that’s valid.

One of my clients, Lisa, gave a single bottle of formula at night so she could sleep. She said, “That one bottle let me be more present during the day. I stopped feeling guilty and started feeling like myself again.” Her baby was still 90% breastfed—and she felt empowered and proud.

So whether you’re intentionally combo feeding, or landed here out of necessity, know this: You’re doing an amazing job. Feeding your baby isn’t all or nothing. And you don’t need to feel shame no matter how this journey unfolds.

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Important Mindset Shift: Breast Milk Is Enough

I hear this a lot:

“I gave a formula bottle and my baby finally seemed full. Maybe my milk just isn’t enough?”

Please hear me—your milk is enough. Formula is heavier and digests more slowly, so babies often sleep longer or seem “fuller” after a formula feed. But that doesn’t mean your milk is lacking. Breast milk is perfectly designed for your baby—it’s lighter, digests faster, and adapts in real time to your baby’s needs.

YOUR MILK IS ENOUGH

Your body is doing an incredible thing. Don’t let one sleepy post-formula feed make you doubt that.

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Rapid-Fire Tips for Combo Feeding Success

Let’s wrap up with some practical takeaways:

• Start with the breast, then offer formula if needed.
  
• Track your feeds, pumps, and supplements—data is powerful.
  
• Offer formula in separate bottles (not mixed with breast milk) unless you’re sure they’ll finish it.
  
• Use the smallest amount of formula needed to avoid waste and oversupply.
  
• Stick with one formula type to minimize tummy troubles.
  
• Say no to pressure unless supplementation is medically necessary. Ask questions and understand why.
  
• Your supply and storage capacity matters—adjust your routine accordingly.
  
• Check in with your providers regularly to make sure your baby’s growth is on track.
  
• Be kind to yourself. You’re doing an incredible job—this doesn’t have to be perfect.

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Want More Help?

If you’re ready to build a combo feeding plan that protects your supply, keeps your baby nourished, and honors your personal needs—download the free guide I created just for you. It walks you through exactly how to add formula (if needed), how to preserve your breastfeeding relationship, and how to feel confident in your feeding journey.

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