The topic of feeding your baby can often feel highly emotional.
Whether you are exclusively breastfeeding, expressing milk, formula feeding or combining both, there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ choice, only what works best for your family. In the first few weeks especially, many parents wonder whether their baby is getting enough milk and how to manage daily life with a breast pump or bottle.

The most important points at a glance

• Regulating your milk supply: Supply and demand determine milk production. Frequent breastfeeding or pumping is the best way to increase your milk supply.
• Successful expressing: Stress can block the let-down reflex. Warmth, a calm environment and a photo or the scent of your baby can help whilst expressing.
• Power pumping to boost milk supply: A specific pumping routine mimics your baby’s cluster feeding and helps stimulate milk production.
• Combined feeding is perfectly fine: Breast milk and formula can be combined with ease. It does not have to be an either-or decision.

Milk supply: Trust your body

Many mums worry that they are not producing enough milk, especially when their breasts begin to feel softer after the first few weeks. In most cases, this simply means that your milk supply has adjusted to meet your baby’s needs.

How to support your milk supply:

• Frequent feeds: Your baby is the most effective way to stimulate milk production. During growth spurts, when cluster feeding is common, let your baby feed as often as they want. Every feed signals your body to produce more milk.
• Drink and eat well: Breastfeeding uses a lot of energy. Keep a large glass of water nearby for every feed and choose nourishing snacks such as nuts or porridge.
• Stay relaxed: The ‘cuddle hormone’ oxytocin helps your milk flow, whilst stress hormones such as adrenaline can slow the let-down reflex. Make sure you are as comfortable as possible whilst breastfeeding.

💡 Our mum’s tip: If you would like to gently increase your milk supply, try applying a warm compress before breastfeeding or gently massaging your breasts to encourage milk flow.

More flexibility through expressing

Whether you are expressing because you have returned to work, your partner would like to help with feeds, or you want to increase your milk supply, expressing can make everyday life more flexible.

Tips for successful expressing:

• The right time: Many women produce the most milk in the morning. Try expressing from the other breast, or both breasts, after your first morning feed.
• The oxytocin trick: If you are expressing without your baby nearby, watching a video of them or smelling a babygrow they have worn can often help trigger the let-down reflex.
• The equipment: Make sure your breast pump shield is the correct size for your nipple. A shield that is too large or too small can be uncomfortable and may reduce the amount of milk you express.

🛍️ Our essentials for relaxed feeding

Whether you are breastfeeding or bottle feeding, you will find everything you need to make everyday life easier in our shop. Browse our categories:

Feeding: Discover high-quality bottles and accessories that are ideal for combined feeding.

For parents: Your wellbeing matters too. Discover soothing nipple creams, absorbent breast pads and everything you need to make breastfeeding and expressing more comfortable.

Baby & Child Care: After feeding comes cuddle time. Our gentle baby care products for a soothing massage can help support your little one’s digestion.

Infant formula (first infant milk): Love in every bottle

Families choose formula for many different reasons. Infant formula is produced under strict quality standards and provides your baby with all the nutrients they need to grow and develop. Bottle feeding offers just as much closeness, eye contact and love as breastfeeding.

Combined feeding: You do not have to choose one or the other. Many parents combine breast milk and formula feeding. This can ease the pressure of being your baby’s only source of nutrition and gives your partner the chance to take an active role in feeding.

How it works: You might choose to breastfeed during the day and have your partner give a bottle of formula in the evening. It is important to use a bottle with a slow flow teat that supports breastfeeding to help reduce the risk of nipple confusion.

Frequently asked questions about breast milk & bottles

Can I mix breast milk and formula in the same bottle?
For practical and hygiene reasons, this is not recommended. If your baby does not finish the bottle, you would need to throw away any remaining breast milk.
Our tip: Offer the expressed breast milk first. If your baby is still hungry afterwards, prepare a fresh bottle of formula.

How long can I store expressed breast milk?
Freshly expressed breast milk can be kept at room temperature for around 3 to 4 hours. In the fridge, store it at the back rather than in the door, where it will keep for up to 3 days. In a freezer at -18°C, it can be stored for up to 6 months.

How can I tell if my baby is hungry?
Try not to wait until your baby cries, as this is usually a late hunger cue. Watch for earlier signs such as lip smacking, sticking out their tongue, sucking their fists or turning their head from side to side as though searching. These are signs that it is time for a breast or bottle feed.

Can I keep a partially finished bottle of formula and offer it again later?
Prepared formula should always be freshly made and used within one hour. As your baby's saliva enters the bottle during feeding, bacteria can multiply quickly in the warm milk. It is therefore safest to discard any leftovers and prepare a fresh, smaller bottle if needed.

I only express a small amount of milk. Does that mean my baby is not getting enough when breastfeeding?
The amount you express is not an indication of how much milk you produce. Your baby is much more effective at removing milk from the breast than any breast pump. Expressing is also influenced by how relaxed you feel, and milk often flows less easily when your baby is not with you. As long as your baby has plenty of wet nappies and is gaining weight well, they are getting the milk they need.