by BabyCenter Featured Expert posted in Mom Stories

By Lindsay Stenovec MS, RD, CLEC Wellness Advisory Panel member for Plum Organics
Many moms want to exclusively breastfeed their babies. Unfortunately, as with many things in parenthood, life doesn?t always go as planned. Rest assured, there is another option: "combo feeding," also known as supplementary or hybrid feeding, means using formula to supplement breastfeeding. If that's something that interests you, read on for our tips on making the transition.

Deciding combo feeding is right for you
There are many reasons why a mother may choose to feed her child a combination of breast milk and formula, but beginning combo feeding may elicit a range of emotions. Before you make the decision to introduce formula, it?s important to meet with your pediatrician and/or a lactation consultant (IBCLC) to ensure that you are prepared to make the transition and get your questions answered. If you?re working with a medical professional that is not meeting your needs, keep looking. It?s important to get non-judgmental feeding support and to remember that you are capable of making informed choices for your family. Once you have made the decision to combo feed, it is best to wait until your baby is 3-6 weeks old before introducing a bottle unless there is a reason you need to start supplementing earlier. This supports the establishment of your milk supply and gives your baby time to get used to breastfeeding before introducing...