Breastfeeding partly

Here you can learn about combining breastfeeding and bottle-feeding

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When can combination feeding be a good solution?

Sometimes breastfeeding and bottle-feeding are both needed. Swipe to learn why combination feeding can be a good solution and how you can do it.

When can combination feeding be a good solution?

Combining breastfeeding and bottle-feeding can be a good solution if breastfeeding does not fully meet your baby’s needs. This way, your baby still benefits from breast milk, while you make sure they get enough to eat by supplementing with infant formula.

Breastfeeding partly can be used for a period of time or as a more lasting solution, depending on what works best for you. When your baby starts eating family foods, it is recommended that your baby continues to be partly breastfed until they are 12 months old, or for longer.

Expressed breast milk in a bottle

You can also choose to supplement breastfeeding with expressed breast milk in a bottle. This can be a good solution if your baby is not getting enough milk at the breast. Your baby still gets the full benefit of breast milk, while you stimulate your milk production by expressing.

If you want to increase your milk milkproduction, expressing with a breast pump is the most effective option. Hand expressing can be a gentler solution that requires less preparation and equipment.

Expressing breast milk after birth

Good to do

  • If your baby needs extra milk more permanently, it may be necessary to supplement with a bottle. This is called breastfeeding partly and can be done with either infant formula or expressed breast milk.
  • Talk to your health visitor if your baby needs extra milk. Together, you can find the solution that works best for you and your baby.

Who can you contact?

If you experience challenges with bottle feeding – big or small – do not hesitate to seek professional advice. Swipe to see whom you can contact and when.

Who can you contact at the maternity ward?

You can contact the maternity-ward staff both during pregnancy and after birth.

Before birth, your midwife is the person to speak with about the early time with your baby and your thoughts about feeding – whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. If you have had previous breastfeeding problems, you can create a plan together.

Most maternity wards also offer antenatal classes, and your midwife can inform you about these.

After giving birth, you can receive help with breastfeeding from staff on the delivery or maternity ward while you are admitted.

All parents can also contact a breastfeeding hotline at their maternity ward within the first week after birth if they need help or guidance.

You can contact your municipal health-visitor service

The health-visitor service is available to all pregnant and new parents in Denmark. After birth, you will be offered free home visits with support and guidance to help you get a good start with your baby. Depending on your municipality and your stage in the process, different services and contact options may be available.

Some municipalities offer prenatal visits from a health visitor, where you can discuss breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, and preparing for life as a new family. Check your municipality’s website to see whether this is available where you live.

If you have special needs, you can contact the service to ask whether prenatal visits are offered to you.

Your health visitor will contact you and offer the first home visit. You can always call your municipal health visitor service for advice or guidance.

You can contact your GP if needed

Always speak with your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding and need medical treatment. In most cases, there is a medication that is safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Contact the on-call doctor or call 112 in an emergency

For sudden illness or worsening symptoms that cannot wait until your GP is available, or for minor injuries, you can contact the on-call doctor – or call 1813 if you live in the Capital Region.

In emergencies, if something is life-threatening or dangerous, call 112.

Contact volunteer breastfeeding counsellors

You can also contact volunteer breastfeeding counsellors if you need advice or guidance. Denmark has two support organisations: Forældre & Fødsel and Ammenet. The volunteers are mothers who have breastfed themselves, and both organisations provide guidance based on the recommendations of the Danish Health Authority.

Get help from Forældre og Fødsel

Get help from Ammenet

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