Photo: Autumn Knapp (@autumn.knapp)
When ?Breast Is Best!? is displayed on the walls of every maternity ward and walk-in clinic, not to mention libraries and bus shelters, it?s easy to understand why some moms might feel guilty about wanting to add bottle-feeding to the mix. But Amy Peterson, a lactation consultant and co-author of Balancing Breast and Bottle: Reaching Your Breastfeeding Goals, says combining breastfeeding with bottle-feeding?using formula, expressed milk or both?is a choice that works for many. Whether your partner is hankering to give a bottle, your return to work is imminent or you just need some time for yourself, here?s how to make combination feeding work for you.
Time it right

Peterson says milk supply takes a good four to six weeks to regulate. She recommends introducing a bottle at around three to four weeks, when breastfeeding is established and ?babies are still willing to suck on any­­thing.? Wait too long, and he may decide he?s a boob man and refuse the bottle. Build your tool box

Nipples, bottles and pumps, oh my! A good combination feeding strategy requires all of the above. To ease the transition from breast to bottle, you might consider a bottle that purports to mimic breastfeeding. As far as feeding technique goes, ?Make sure the tip of the nipple reaches far back into the baby?s mouth,? says Peterson, ?and your baby?s lips rest on the base, as opposed to sucking on the nipple like a straw.? If you know you?ll be away from your baby r...