Bottle Feeding with Confidence: A Lactation-Informed Approach for Vermont Parents
with insight from seasoned professionals, all part of Vermont Birth Network
If you’re planning to breastfeed, bottle feeding might not be top of mind yet. But here’s the truth: most breastfeeding parents end up introducing bottles at some point—intentionally, and in ways that support their feeding goals.
Whether you’re planning to pump when you return to work, want to share feeds with a partner, or just hope for a longer stretch of sleep now and then, learning about bottle feeding before it becomes urgent can help you feel more prepared, supported, and confident.
At Vermont Birth Network, we believe every feeding journey is valid—and every parent deserves care, whether you’re breastfeeding, pumping, using formula, or doing some mix of it all. Here's how a lactation-informed approach to bottle feeding can support you, even if your plan starts with breastfeeding.
There are so many ways bottle feeding can look and how it can fit into your life.
Why Breastfeeding Parents Should Still Learn About Bottles
You may plan to exclusively breastfeed—and that’s a beautiful goal. But feeding plans evolve, and having flexibility can make your journey more sustainable and supported.
Even if bottle feeding feels far off, taking time to understand it early can reduce stress later. Mary Kate Shanahan, a birth and postpartum doula affectionately known as “the bottle whisperer,” puts it simply: “Feeding plans don’t always go exactly as expected—and that’s okay. Taking the time to learn about bottle feeding doesn’t mean you’re committing to using it; it just ensures you’re prepared if your situation changes.”
Rachael Gelineau, Postpartum Doula, Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant (CPSC), Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), adds that introducing a bottle doesn’t always come from big disruptions—sometimes it's just about rest or shifting routines. “Even if you plan to exclusively breastfeed,” she says, “you could still end up needing to introduce a bottle at some point. Taking the uncertainty out of it makes for a less stressful switch for everyone involved.”
And for lactation consultant Lisa Kerns, BS, IBCLC, RLC, the timing and method of bottle introduction matter. She encourages all families to learn about paced bottle feeding from the start, so “respectful feeding can begin early.” That means mimicking the flow of breastfeeding and helping babies tune into their fullness cues, which can be harder when milk flows too fast from a bottle.
Common reasons breastfeeding parents introduce bottles:
Pumping for work or school
Letting a partner offer a dream feed so you can get a longer stretch of sleep
Supplementing with formula during illness or supply dips
Adding in bottles for flexibility (like going to dinner or running errands solo)
Replacing a daytime feeding after introducing solids
Bottles can be a key part of a responsive, adaptable feeding plan—not a backup plan, and not a failure.
Bottles, nipples, flow, oh my! So many options out there. Consult with a pro to learn what is best for you.
Combo Feeding: The Most Common (But Least Talked About) Feeding Style
Combo feeding—using a mix of breast, bottle, pumped milk, and/or formula—is incredibly common. You just might not hear about it. Most families don’t follow one single method forever, and that’s okay.
Mary Kate compares feeding plans to birth plans: “There’s a lot we can’t control—but also a lot we can. A good plan is flexible, grounded in your goals, and responsive to real life.”
Rachael emphasizes working with your body’s natural rhythm. “Pumping in the early morning when your supply is naturally highest, and bottle feeding in the evening when it’s lower, can make a real difference,” she says. This approach can lighten the load for parents during cluster feeds or busy family moments.
She’s also seen a simple routine work wonders: “One bottle a night—of pumped milk or formula—can make a world of difference in mental health, energy, and recovery. It gives each caregiver a four-hour stretch of sleep.”
Lisa adds that a well-balanced combo feeding plan still honors milk supply. “Stick with 8–12 feeds per day,” she advises, “and adjust the timing and amounts based on your baby and your goals. That will look different for every family.”
Bottle Feeding ≠ Failing
Let’s pause here for a moment.
We know breastfeeding is often treated like the gold standard. And yes—it can be wonderful, powerful, connecting. But that doesn’t mean bottle feeding is “less than.”
Mary Kate is quick to remind families that there’s no one “right” way to feed a baby. “I always start by asking what they’ve already heard or believe about bottle feeding,” she says. “Often, guilt is rooted in outside messages. Releasing shame and judgment is the first step. Then we can take things one step at a time and find what actually feels good.”
Lisa echoes this with reassurance: “No guilt necessary! When you have all the info to make a decision, guilt is wiped away. Still anxious? Try having dad, grandma, or a friend offer the first bottle. It takes a village!”
Bottle feeding can be an intimate and sacred way to feed your baby.
How a Vermont Lactation Consultant Can Help
You don’t have to be struggling to benefit from support. In fact, reaching out early—before bottle challenges pop up—can make everything feel more manageable.
A lactation-informed professional can help you:
Plan a bottle-feeding schedule that protects your supply
Introduce a bottle in a baby-friendly way (timing + technique matter!)
Use paced feeding to prevent bottle preference or overfeeding
Understand how to safely combine formula and breastmilk
Navigate common bumps, like bottle refusal or fluctuating supply
Talk through transitions like dream feeds, weaning, or adjusting to daycare
Consistency is one of Mary Kate’s top tips for introducing a bottle to a breastfed baby. “Offer the bottle at the same time of day, with the same person, setting, and flow. Babies learn through routine and predictability.”
Lisa adds a few practical tools to the mix: slow-flow nipples, a calm environment, and pacing. “The best way is to make bottle feeding like breastfeeding—slow and respectful,” she explains. “Give plenty of breaks and burps, and watch for fullness cues.” And if baby isn’t into it? “Try distraction: bouncing, walking, talking, or going outside. Sometimes a change of scenery helps them shift from the familiar to something new.”
Rachael agrees, emphasizing personalization and simplicity. “We help families create feeding plans that make daily life easier—like using a bottle at night so the nursing parent can get a break, or planning morning pumping sessions when supply is highest.”
You Have Options: IBCLCs vs. Lactation Counselors & Educators
Lactation support isn’t one-size-fits-all—and neither are the professionals who offer it.
IBCLCs (International Board Certified Lactation Consultants) have the most advanced training and clinical experience. They’re perfect for complex needs—like tongue ties, NICU transitions, low supply, or feeding multiples, along with the day-to-day “normal” stuff.
Lactation counselors and educators are great for common challenges—like sore nipples, latch support, milk storage, paced feeding, and combo feeding plans.
Both are valuable. One isn’t better than the other—they just serve different needs, kind of like the difference between a general practitioner and a specialist.
Here in Vermont, we’re lucky to have a strong network of both. And we’re here to help you find your fit.
Final Word
Learning about bottle feeding doesn’t mean you’re off track. It means you’re giving yourself options—and that’s a form of care, too.
Whether you offer a bottle once a week or five times a day, you deserve support that meets you where you are, honors your goals, and helps you feed your baby with confidence.
You’ve got this. And we’ve got your back.
Browse our directory to find lactation consultants, postpartum doulas, and other Vermont-based providers who can walk with you through every stage of feeding.
