Can You Breastfeed and Formula Feed?

During your pregnancy and shortly thereafter, dozens of people are likely to ask you, "Are you breastfeeding or formula-feeding?"

The problem with this question is that it assumes that it's impossible to do both. However, most mothers actually combine the two. They use the breast as the baby's primary source of nutrition, but formula-feed on occasion because of supply issues or to accommodate another caregiver. It is quite possible to both breastfeed and formula-feed your baby.

Here are some things you need to know about combining the breast and bottle.

1. It's not as good for the baby. You probably already know about the risks of formula-feeding. By giving your baby formula along with breast milk, you do increase his risk of ear infections, digestive upset, colic and other problems associated with formula. For most babies, it's not best to "supplement" with formula.

2. It's better than exclusive formula-feeding. Any amount of breast milk that your baby receives is better than none at all, and even occasional nursing will help to foster a deeper bond between you and your breastfed child. There's no need to wean your baby entirely just because circumstance dictates that you formula-feed on occasion.

3. It will decrease your supply. If you give breastfeed and formula-feed regularly, as the norm rather than the exception, your milk supply will dwindle as a result. If you want to maintain the same milk supply, give your baby no more than two bottles of formula each week. Understand that breast milk production is based entirely on supply-and-demand.

4. You are probably making enough milk. Many women begin "supplementing" with formula because they think that their babies are not getting enough milk. It is actually very rare for a breastfeeding woman to produce insufficient amounts of breast milk. If your baby is nursing more than seven times per day, he is probably eating enough. If he's gaining insufficient weight, his pediatrician will tell you. Don't try to self-diagnose low supply; you're likely to make a mistake. Note that some babies will nurse up to 25 times a day for comfort; this doesn't mean that they are not getting enough milk.

5. You're not alone. If you choose to both breastfeed and formula-feed, you're by no means alone. Although exclusive breastfeeding is best for a baby, the majority of moms actually do combine the two practices for the sake of convenience or practicality. It's especially common for moms to start formula-feeding if and when they return to an outside-the-home job. So, although "breast or bottle" remains as ubiquitous a question as "paper or plastic," you don't necessarily have to choose one at the expense of the other.