Plenty of the families I support express, bottle feed, or combine breast and bottle at some point, and I am here to help you do it well, without judgement. However you feed your baby, you deserve good, clear information and support. Doing it well makes a real difference to your baby and your supply. This guide is an overview of expressing and bottle feeding, with links to read more on each part.

Why parents express

There are many good reasons to express your milk. You might want to:

  • Build or protect your milk supply.
  • Ease very full or engorged breasts.
  • Leave milk for your baby when you are apart.
  • Feed a baby who is finding it hard to latch.
  • Give your milk to a baby who needs a little extra.
  • Share feeds with your partner, or return to work.

Ways to express

You can express by hand, with a manual pump, or with an electric pump, and the right choice depends on why you are expressing and how often. Hand expression is gentle and always available, a manual pump is simple and portable, and an electric pump suits regular or frequent expressing. Getting the flange size right matters for comfort and how much milk you collect. Read more in Hand expressing, manual pump or electric pump and Pumping and flange fit.

Paced bottle feeding

If your baby has a bottle, the way it is given matters. Paced bottle feeding is a slower, calmer method that lets your baby lead, take breaks and stop when they are full, much as they would at the breast. It helps avoid overfeeding and supports breastfeeding if you are combining the two. Read more in Paced bottle feeding.

Bottle feeding, whatever is in the bottle

Whether the bottle holds your expressed milk or formula, feeding responsively, keeping equipment clean, and holding your baby close all help. Read more in Bottle feeding your baby.

Combining breast and bottle

Many families combine breast and bottle, sometimes called mixed or combination feeding. It can work well with a little care. Using paced bottle feeding, offering the breast first where you can, and expressing to replace missed feeds all help protect your supply. If you want to keep breastfeeding alongside bottles, it is worth getting the balance right early. Read more about supply in Is my milk supply low.

Get help from your midwife, health visitor or an IBCLC if:

  • Expressing is painful, or you are not collecting much.
  • You are not sure how to combine breast and bottle without losing supply.
  • Your baby is struggling to take a bottle, or seems to guzzle and gulp.
  • You want help choosing a pump or getting the flange size right.

Call 999 or take your baby straight to A&E if your baby:

  • Is floppy or unresponsive
  • Will not wake for feeds
  • Is having trouble breathing, or their lips, tongue or gums look blue or grey
  • Has a sunken fontanelle
  • Is visibly jaundiced and unwell with it, for example floppy, hard to wake or not feeding. Yellowing shows most clearly in the whites of the eyes, the gums, and the palms and soles
  • Has dark urine or pale, chalky stools

How a consultation helps

Expressing and bottle feeding are skills, and small adjustments make a big difference. When I see you I can check your expressing technique and flange fit, show you paced bottle feeding, and help you combine breast and bottle in a way that protects your supply and suits your family. Whatever your feeding plan, my job is to make it work for you, not to talk you into or out of anything.