Infant Feeding
Baby-Led Weaning Education
Finger foods made calm and safe: shapes and sizes, gagging vs choking and a first foods tracker, from around 6 months to family meals.
€17.99Buy
Combination Feeding Education
Combine breast and bottle feeding with confidence, protect your milk supply and keep every feed calm and close
- 1 hour 50 minself-paced
- 7modules
- 4interactive tools
- Certificatewhen you pass
What you will be able to do
- explain how breast milk supply works and why the timing of bottles matters.
- choose a combination feeding pattern that fits your reasons and family life.
- build a gradual, week-by-week feeding plan that changes one feed at a time.
- make up formula, sterilise equipment and store expressed breast milk following HSE guidance.
- give a paced, responsive bottle feed and read your baby's hunger and fullness cues.
- use a feed log and nappy checks to track how feeding is going.
- recognise fullness, blocked ducts and possible mastitis, and know when to get help.
- adapt your plan for returning to work, breastfeeding more or moving towards formula.
About this course
Combination feeding means your baby has breastfeeds and also some bottles of expressed breast milk or formula. Done well, it can let a partner share feeds, help you go back to work, or give you more rest, while you keep breastfeeding for as long as you want.
This course explains how breast milk supply works and how to add bottles gradually so your supply is protected. You will plan your own week-by-week routine, learn the HSE steps for making up formula, plus how to sterilise equipment and store expressed milk, and practise paced, responsive bottle feeding. A daily feed log helps you keep track of feeds, nappies and how your breasts feel.
It is for parents and partners who are breastfeeding and thinking about bottles, or who are already combination feeding. It is general education that follows HSE guidance and points you to your midwife, public health nurse, GP and breastfeeding supports such as HSE lactation consultants whenever your baby or your own health needs a closer look.
Course modules
7 modules-
1Combination feeding explained
What combination feeding is, why families choose it, and how to set a goal that works for you and your baby.
- What combination feeding means
- Why families choose it, and your feeding goal
Combination Feeding Planner
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2How breast milk supply works
Understand supply and demand, why the early weeks matter, and the habits that help you keep breastfeeding alongside bottles.
- Supply and demand in plain words
- Protecting your supply when you add bottles
Milk Supply Protection Checklist
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3Choosing your pattern and making a plan
Pick a combination feeding pattern that suits your family and turn it into a gradual, week-by-week plan.
- Four common patterns
- Building your week-by-week plan
Combination Feeding PlannerPaced Bottle Feeding Card
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4Formula and expressed milk, safely
Follow HSE guidance for choosing and making up formula, then learn how to sterilise equipment and store expressed breast milk safely.
- Choosing and making up formula
- Sterilising and storing expressed milk
Combination Feed Log
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5Paced, responsive bottle feeding
Learn how to give a bottle in a way that follows your baby's cues, avoids overfeeding and fits well alongside breastfeeding.
- How to give a paced bottle feed
- Reading cues and avoiding overfeeding
Paced Bottle Feeding Card
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6Keeping track, comfort and wellbeing
Use a feed log, know the nappy signs, look after your breasts, and understand vitamin D for combination-fed babies.
- Using the feed log and reading nappies
- Breast comfort: fullness, blocked ducts and mastitis
- Night feeds, safe sleep and sharing the load
Combination Feed LogMilk Supply Protection Checklist
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7Adapting your plan over time
Adjust your feeding as life changes: returning to work, breastfeeding more again, or moving towards formula, and know where to get support.
- Returning to work and other big changes
- Breastfeeding more again, or moving to formula
Combination Feeding PlannerCombination Feed Log
Tools included
Saved to your account, downloadable as PDF- PlannerCombination Feeding PlannerPlan which feeds will be breastfeeds, expressed milk or formula, week by week, so any change happens gradually and protects your milk supply.
- TrackerCombination Feed LogRecord breastfeeds, bottles, nappies and how your breasts feel each day, so you can spot patterns and show your public health nurse a clear picture.
- CheckerMilk Supply Protection ChecklistTick the habits already in place to see how well your current routine protects your breast milk supply, and where one small change could help.
- CardsPaced Bottle Feeding CardA printable step-by-step card set for anyone giving your baby a bottle, so every bottle feed is calm, responsive and gentle on breastfeeding.
Who this course is for
- Breastfeeding parents who want to add some bottle feeds
- Parents who are already combination feeding and want to do it more confidently
- Partners, grandparents and childcarers who will give bottle feeds
- Parents planning to return to work while continuing to breastfeed
- Parents moving gradually from breastfeeding to formula who want to stay comfortable
Check with a health professional first if
- If your baby was born early or small, has jaundice, is not gaining weight as expected, or has a medical condition, follow the feeding plan from your midwife, public health nurse or hospital team and check with them before changing feeds.
- If you have been told to give top-ups, ask your midwife or public health nurse how much, how and for how long before using this course to plan changes.
- If your baby has, or may have, a cow's milk allergy, reflux or another feeding problem, talk to your GP or public health nurse before choosing a formula. Only use specialist formula if a health professional advises it.
- If you take any medicines, or are starting contraception, tell your GP or pharmacist you are breastfeeding.
- If you have had breast surgery, or you are worried about your milk supply, ask your midwife, public health nurse or lactation consultant for support before reducing breastfeeds.
Your certificate
Answer at least 7 of the 10 final questions correctly and your certificate is ready to download straight away, with your name, the course and a verification ID anyone can check.
A certificate of completion shows you finished a general education course. It is not a professional qualification.
Certificate of completion
Your name
Combination Feeding Education, 7 modules, completed 6 October 2026
Dr Aqsa Mukhtiar, PhD in Nutrition
Course authorID MNC-4K7Q-2Z9P
Verify at mynutricare.co.uk
Course authorID MNC-4K7Q-2Z9P
Verify at mynutricare.co.uk
Questions about this course
Will giving a bottle stop my baby breastfeeding?
Not usually. Many babies happily do both. Waiting until breastfeeding is established, changing one feed at a time and giving bottles in a paced way all help your baby stay keen on the breast. The course shows you how.
Does this course tell me how much formula to give?
No. Combination-fed babies need different amounts depending on how much breast milk they have, so the course teaches you to follow your baby's cues and check nappies and weight with your public health nurse. If top-ups are advised, your midwife or public health nurse should give you a plan.
Can my partner or my baby's grandparent take the course?
Yes. The paced bottle feeding module and printable card are written for anyone who gives your baby a bottle, and the planner helps everyone follow the same routine.
Does the course recommend a formula brand or bottle?
No. All infant formula sold in Ireland must meet the same EU legal standards, so any first infant formula is suitable for most babies. The course does not promote any brand of formula, bottle or teat.
What do I get with this course?
7 modules with 15 short lessons (about 1 hour 50 minutes in total) and 4 interactive tools, including the Combination Feeding Planner, Combination Feed Log and Milk Supply Protection Checklist. Your tool results save to My Progress. A 10-question final check ends the course; score 7 or more for your certificate. Price: €17.99. Written by Dr Aqsa Mukhtiar, PhD in Nutrition, using HSE and Irish national guidance.