Feeding your baby is one of the most personal decisions you'll make as a parent.

And yet, it's also one of the decisions that seems to come with the most opinions attached. "Breast is best" is a phrase most of us have heard more times than we can count - from health professionals, from family, from social media. For a lot of families, that conversation brings a lot of pressure and that pressure can feel overwhelming.

So, is breast really best?

Breastfeeding has a lot of benefits and that is why it's the recommended way to feed your baby. Is it best for everyone? Not always. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to feeding your baby.

I want to be upfront with you about where I'm coming from. I breastfed both of my babies. I fed my first for 18 months and I'm still breastfeeding my second (1 year old at the time of writing this). It's definitely what I wanted to do and I worked hard to set myself up for success with it. I knew what to expect, what was normal, how to troubleshoot common complications and where to get help if I needed it.

Overall, I have loved my breastfeeding experience and I'm so glad I chose it. It has been wonderful for bonding and I love all the benefits it has for my babies. But that doesn't mean it hasn't had its downsides and I'll be honest with you about those too.

Because here's what I believe, as a midwife and as a mum: you are the only one who can decide what is best for you and your family, and that includes how you choose to feed your baby.

In this blog I'm going to walk you through your three main options - breastfeeding, formula feeding and mixed feeding - and compare them side by side, so you can make the decision that feels right for you.

In this post we'll explore:

✔️ What the Australian guidelines actually recommend
✔️ The benefits of each feeding option for your baby and for you
✔️ The common challenges that can catch families by surprise (including cluster feeding)
✔️ Where to find support, whichever way you feed
✔️ Why the best way to feed your baby is the one that works for your family

What do the Australian guidelines say?

Before we compare your options, let's look at what the evidence-based recommendations actually are.

The NHMRC Infant Feeding Guidelines recommend exclusive breastfeeding until around 6 months of age, then continuing to breastfeed alongside solid foods until 12 months and beyond, for as long as you and your baby want to. The same guidelines are also clear that when breastfeeding isn't possible, infant formula is the safest alternative for babies under 12 months.

So why is breastfeeding recommended? Because the research shows real benefits for both babies and parents - and we'll go through those below.

But here's what the recommendations don't show you: what feeding actually looks like for Australian families in real life.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 90.6% of children aged 0–3 years had received breastmilk at some point. But only 37.5% were exclusively breastfed to 6 months.

That tells me two things. The vast majority of families start out wanting to breastfeed and most families end up somewhere in between - breastfeeding for a while, mixed feeding, moving to formula or finding their own combination that works.

Comparison #1: Benefits for your baby

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding has the most benefits for your baby, which is exactly why it's recommended. Breastmilk provides your baby with antibodies, reduces the risk of certain illnesses and adapts to exactly what your baby needs as they grow. Breastmilk adapts and changes to provide the ideal mix of vitamins, protein and fat that your baby needs. 

A large review of the research published in The Lancet found breastfeeding was associated with fewer infections, such as gastro and respiratory infections, and a lower risk of overweight and obesity later in childhood.

Formula feeding

Formula feeding is a perfectly valid and healthy choice for many families. In Australia, infant formula is tightly regulated by Food Standards Australia New Zealand, with strict rules around its composition and labelling. It is the only safe and suitable alternative to breastmilk for babies who aren't breastfed.

When your baby is formula fed, they are getting the nutrition they need to grow and thrive.

Mixed feeding

Mixed or combination feeding - using both breastmilk and formula - is another great option. Your baby still receives breastmilk, with all its benefits, alongside formula.

This isn't an all-or-nothing decision. Any amount of breastmilk your baby receives is something to feel proud of.

Comparison #2: What it means for you

Feeding isn't just about your baby. It's about you too - your body, your time, your mental load and how you feel about it all. Your experience matters here just as much.

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding has benefits for you as well as your baby. The same Lancet review found that breastfeeding was associated with a lower risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer for the person breastfeeding.

For me, one of the biggest benefits has been the bonding with my babies.

But I promised I'd be honest about the downsides, so here they are.

It can be hard being the one who does all the feeds. When you're breastfeeding, especially in the early weeks, you are needed around the clock and nobody else can take a feed off your hands. And then there's being constantly touched out. I have been breastfeeding back to back for nearly three years now, and my goodness, some days can be a lot.

I love breastfeeding and some days I still find it hard. Both of those things are true and I think we need to talk about that more.

Note: That giving expressed breastmilk through a bottle still counts as breastfeeding! So there are options here to share the load with feeding.

Formula feeding

Formula feeding can give you some flexibility. Your partner or support person can share the feeds, including the night feeds, which can mean more rest and more time to recover after birth. You can also see exactly how much your baby is taking, which some parents find reassuring.

Sometimes formula is necessary for medical reasons. Sometimes it's a personal choice. And sometimes it's simply what works best for you and your family. And that's okay!

The main difference here is the formula can not replicate the antibodies in breastmilk and it does not change depending on what your baby needs - every bottle will be the same.

Mixed feeding

Mixed feeding can relieve some of the pressure of exclusive breastfeeding while still providing your baby with the benefits of breastmilk. It can let you share the load - for example, your support person doing a bottle feed so you can get a longer stretch of sleep.

If you're mixed feeding and would like to keep breastfeeding, it's worth knowing that adding formula feeds can affect your milk supply, as your body makes milk based on how often milk is removed. A midwife, lactation consultant or child health nurse can help you find a balance that protects your supply.

Comparison #3: Common challenges

Every way of feeding your baby comes with its own challenges. Knowing what they are ahead of time can make such a difference to how you feel when you're in the thick of it.

Breastfeeding

One of the most common things I see is families not realising how hard breastfeeding can be.

There's a belief that because breastfeeding is natural, it should just come naturally. But just because it's natural doesn't mean it's easy. Breastfeeding is a skill that you and your baby are both learning together. Some people find it straightforward, while others face challenges like latch issues, sore nipples or concerns about their milk supply.

None of these challenges mean you're doing it wrong. Most of them are common, and many can be worked through with the right support.

Spotlight: cluster feeding

One of the things that catches so many families by surprise in the early weeks is cluster feeding.

Cluster feeding is when your baby wants to feed very frequently, with feeds bunched close together over a few hours. It often happens in the evening and is really common in the early weeks. It's a completely normal part of early feeding.

But a lot of women don't expect it. And when their baby wants to feed again… and again… and again, they start to feel like their body is failing. They think it must be because they aren't making enough milk and that they need to use formula or another way of feeding.

When actually, what is happening is totally normal.

We know that cluster feeding isn't usually a sign of low milk supply. Babies cluster feed for lots of reasons - for comfort, through a growth spurt, to fill up before a longer sleep or because they're tired after a busy day - and frequent feeding actually helps to build and maintain your supply.

Knowing this ahead of time can make those evenings feel so different, because you know your baby is doing exactly what babies do. And if you're ever unsure whether what you're experiencing is normal, please reach out to your midwife, child health nurse or a lactation consultant - that's what we're here for.

Formula feeding

Formula feeding has its own challenges too. There's the cost of formula and the time it takes to prepare bottles and clean and sterilise equipment - which can feel like a lot at 3am.

There can also be an emotional side. Some parents who formula feed feel judged by others or carry feelings of guilt, especially if they had hoped to breastfeed. If that's you, please know that feeding your baby is never something to feel guilty about.

Mixed feeding

Mixed feeding can take some trial and error to find a routine that works for you and your baby. And as we touched on above, if you'd like to keep breastfeeding, it can take a little planning to protect your milk supply. You also get a bit of both worlds when it comes to the practical side.

Comparison #4: Support and practicalities

Whichever way you feed your baby, support makes all the difference.

Breastfeeding

This is something I see so often as a midwife. On one side, I see people being pressured to breastfeed when they don't want to. On the other, I see people who really want to breastfeed not being given the support they need to succeed.

If breastfeeding is important to you, you deserve good support to make it happen. Some places to start:

• Australian Breastfeeding Association Helpline: 1800 686 268 (1800 mum 2 mum), available 24/7
• A lactation consultant (IBCLC), either through your hospital or privately
• Your midwife or child health nurse, who can help with latch, positioning and supply concerns

Practically, breastfeeding is free and there are no bottles to prepare. It does mean more of the feeding sits with you, so it helps to think about how your partner or support person can share the load in other ways – bringing you water and snacks, settling the baby after feeds, changing nappies or taking on more around the house.

Formula feeding

If you're formula feeding, you deserve support too. Your midwife, child health nurse or GP can help you with choosing a formula, preparing bottles safely and working out how much your baby needs.

Practically, formula feeding means there's an ongoing cost, and preparing and cleaning bottles takes time. On the flip side, it can make sharing the feeds and returning to work more straightforward for some families.

Mixed feeding

Mixed feeding families can use all of the support above. It's especially helpful to chat with a lactation consultant or child health nurse if you want to find a rhythm that protects your breastfeeding while bringing in formula. For some families, mixed feeding can also be a helpful option when returning to work.

Set yourself up for success

Whatever you decide, the best thing you can do is set yourself up for success. Learn about your options, what is normal, how to navigate common challenges and where to go for support - ideally before your baby arrives.

That's exactly what I did before my own babies were born, and it's what my online course, Beyond Birth, is designed to help you do. It covers everything you need for those early weeks with your newborn, including a whole module on feeding, alongside newborn care, your recovery, mental health and the transition to parenthood.

👉 Explore Beyond Birth here

Final thoughts: so, is breast really best?

Breastfeeding has a lot of benefits for both mum and baby and that's why it's the recommended way to feed your baby. I have loved breastfeeding my own babies and if it's something you want to do, I want you to have all the information and support you need to make it work.

But is it best for everyone? Not always.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to feeding. Every family, every baby and every set of circumstances is different. What works beautifully for one family may not work at all for another and that's okay.

The best way to feed your baby is the one that works for you and your family.

And you are the only one who can decide what is best for you and your family, including how you choose to feed your baby. Your baby, your body, your family.

Whether you choose breastfeeding, formula feeding or a combination of both, the most important thing is that your baby is fed and loved.

Remember, you're doing an amazing job, no matter how you feed your baby. 💕

How did you feed your baby, or what are you planning? I'd love to hear about your experience in the comments below. And if you know someone who is feeling the pressure of "breast is best", please share this with them.

If you ever need support, have questions or just want to talk, I'm here for you!

All the best,
Tam xx