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Question: Is it safe to mix formula with whole milk? What about low-fat or skim milk?

Answer: The American Academy of Pediatrics advises waiting until your child is at least 1 year old before giving him cow's milk. After that, if your baby is having a hard time switching from formula to whole milk, try taking a gradual approach: Over a period of time, add a little whole milk to the prepared formula, slowly increasing the proportion of milk to formula until your baby completely switches to whole milk. (Most pediatricians recommend using whole milk until your toddler is at least 2 years old, since the butterfat in whole milk helps him grow and develop. After that, the AAP recommends using milk with less fat.) If you're thinking about making the switch from formula to whole milk, consult with your family's pediatrician or healthcare provider first.

Question: Can I mix breast milk and formula?

Answer: While there's nothing wrong with mixing breast milk and formula in the same container, it's not recommended simply because you don't want to waste a single drop of your precious breast milk. A good plan is to feed your baby whatever breast milk you've expressed, and then follow that up with couple of ounces of formula if you need it. If you mix 2 ounces of expressed breast milk with two ounces of formula, and your baby only drinks 2 ounces all together, then you'll waste the rest of the breast milk, as formula must be discarded within an hour of preparation.