This post was sponsored by Philips Avent as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

Are you supplementing with bottle feeding?

There are a lot of reasons why you may need to combine bottle feeding with breastfeeding your newborn.

Our second baby had horrible jaundice and was losing weight quickly. 

Bottle feeding her formula was the only other thing the doctors suggested we do to get her to gain weight. It really did end up helping her get through that difficult stage in the end.

Now, with baby number 3 arriving this month I plan on supplementing with a bottle, so my husband can help out with the feeding.

Easy Tips to Combine Breast and Bottle Feeding

Combining breastfeeding and bottle feeding can be challenging.

Both are different textures and experiences for your baby. So, getting into a routine early on is important. 

My goal is to get a good supply of pumped milk, so my husband can be able to feed our son too.

We have a 2 year old, so I have a feeling I’ll need a lot more help with this baby! 

I want to get us into an easy routine that has our baby feeling comfortable with both breast and bottle feeding.

Since, breast and bottle feeding can be an adjustment I thought I would share some simple tips to make it easier:

Start Early

If you are already planning on supplementing with a bottle start early. When you get home from the hospital try having two or more bottle feedings per day, so your baby can get used to having it as part of a daily routine.

Choose a Natural Shaped Bottle

It’s so great to have good bottle options that are comparable to breastfeeding!

One of my favorite options are Philips Avent Natural bottles because the shape of the nipple is natural. So, your baby won’t get confused between breastfeeding and bottle feeding.

I’ve used Philips Avent bottles with my last baby and always loved the ease of the transition. 

Now, I am really excited to try the Philips Avent Natural bottle with my new baby because it has a wide design to mimic the shape of a breast. The nipple is soft to make the bottle feel like it would if they were breastfeeding.

If you are struggling with colic the Philips Avent Natural bottle has a great venting system to keep gas out of your babies tummy!

Having all of these features in one bottle really does make combing breast and bottle feeding a lot easier for Mom and baby.

Don’t Change the Environment

When it’s time to have a bottle make the environment the same as it would be when you’re breastfeeding. That way your baby feels comfortable and knows it’s time to eat! 

Your baby might be used to having skin to skin contact, dim lighting, or soft music while their breastfeeding. Try to recreate this environment for bottle feeding.

Have you had to supplement breastfeeding with bottle feeding?

I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!