Formula and mixed (combination) feeding

Formula feeding

If you decide to formula feed your baby, it is important that for the first year of your baby's life that they only receive first milk formula. After the first year your baby can progress to full fat cow's milk. Babies do not require follow on milks or any other milks other than those marketed as first stage.

We suggest that you responsively bottle feed your baby:

• when he shows feeding cues
• limit the number of people who feed your baby
• hold baby in close
• look into baby’s eyes
• pace the feed, watching out for when baby needs a break or has had enough

Ideally your baby’s first feed should be carried out with baby skin to skin. There are benefits to carrying out skin to skin feeding throughout the postnatal period.

Prior to discharge from hospital you will receive a copy of a leaflet from Public Health Scotland: Formula Feeding - how to feed your baby safely (view or download here).

This will provide guidance on how to prepare formula safely and how to sterilise your feeding equipment. It is extremely important to follow recommended guidance as babies can become unwell if feeds are made incorrectly or by using equipment that has not been sterilised properly.

Formula feeding resources

• Bottle Feeding Assessment Tool (pdf) from UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative - for reassurance that bottle feeding is going well, use this checklist.
• Infant milks - information for parents and carers from First Steps Nutrition Trust - accurate and unbiased information about all formula available in the UK. On here you will also find information on equipment marketed to support preparation of formula milks such as formula preparation machines and the use of kitchen hot taps.
• Infant formula and responsive bottle feeding from UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative.
• Formula Feeding from Parent Club.

If you have any concerns then please contact your midwife or health visitor.

Vitamin D when formula feeding

If you are formula feeding, your baby is entitled to free vitamin D drops up until their 1st birthday when they start to take less than 500mls of infant formula per day. 

Please ask your health visitor or family nurse for free vitamin D drops for your baby.

If you have any problems sourcing vitamin D:

email hirs.mailbox@nhs.scot

Mixed or combination feeding

Mixed or combination feeding is when you choose to breast feed sometimes and give formula at other times.

The health advantages for you and baby are higher if you exclusively breast feed, however any breastfeeding is beneficial to both you and your baby.

If you choose to mix feed, ideally breast feed initially in the first few days or weeks to stimulate your milk production before introducing formula. This gives your body the greatest opportunity to initiate your milk supply and helps ensure milk supply in the longer term.

Use first stage formula for the first year of your baby’s life if you are mixed (combination) feeding.

Vitamin D when mixed feeding

If you are mixed feeding you are entitled to free vitamin D tablets for you, and your baby will be given free vitamin D drops until their 1st birthday when they are getting less than 500mls of formula per day.

Free vitamins are distributed via your family nurse or health visitor.

If you have any problems sourcing vitamin D:

email hirs.mailbox@nhs.scot