Bottle Feeding: A Practical Guide for New Parents
We know that the idea of bottle feeding your baby can be confusing if you’re a new parent, so we recommend educating yourself as much as you can before you give birth.
Whether you plan to feed your baby with infant formula or expressed breast milk, our tips and advice will help you feed them properly and keep them healthy and safe.
What bottle feeding equipment do you need?
Remember that you need to buy much more than just bottles to feed your baby. You need:
- Multiple bottles and teats
- A bottle brush and a teat brush for thorough cleaning
- Bottle sterilising equipment: this can be a cold-water or steam steriliser.
If you’re wondering what type of bottle is best to buy, there’s no evidence to point to one being better than another. We recommend simple bottles that are easy to clean and sterilise.
How to sterilise the bottles
Before you make up bottles for your baby, you need to completely sterilise them. Once the bottles are thoroughly cleaned (using your brushes), sterilise them with your chosen cold water or steam sterilising solution, ensuring you follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Alternatively, you can sterilise the bottles by boiling them in a large pan of water for at least 10 minutes, ensuring they stay under the surface. Check that your products are safe to boil before using this method; we don’t recommend boiling teats, as it can damage them.
You must sterilise bottles and teats until your baby is at least 12 months old.
How to make up bottles for your baby
Before you feed the baby, ensure you screw the retaining ring and teat tightly onto the bottle so that the teat won’t fall off.
If you want to use infant formula, follow the instructions carefully. You can learn more about making up formula feed here.
How to bottle feed your baby
You may only think of bottle feeding as something you have to do, but it’s also a brilliant opportunity to bond with your baby. Sit comfortably with your baby close to you and really enjoy holding them, talking to them as you feed them.
Hold them in a semi-upright position and support their head so they can swallow and breathe comfortably during feeding.
Brush the teat gently against your baby’s lips and let them draw it in when they open their mouth. Your baby will likely need plenty of time to feed, so be patient and don’t rush them.
Other key feeding tips include:
- Do not leave them alone with the bottle, as they may choke on the milk.
- Keep the bottle horizontal during feeding to ensure steady milk flow and prevent your baby from inhaling air.
- If the teat goes flat during feeding, gently pull the corner of your baby’s mouth to release suction.
- If the teat gets blocked, use a sterile replacement.
- Follow your baby’s lead, as only they will know how much milk they need.
- If your baby needs a break to burp, hold them upright and gently rub their back.
- Never reuse milk; always throw unused milk away.
- Don’t make up a batch of milk and store it; only make one feed at a time.
Common bottle feeding questions
Why does my baby not settle after a feed?
It is possible that your baby swallowed air during feeding, which can make them feel uncomfortable. Hold them upright and gently rub their back to help them settle.
Why is my baby sick after a feed?
It’s perfectly normal for your baby to be sick after a feed, so keep a muslin cloth near you just in case. Forcing them to drink more milk than they want, and the teat hole not being big enough, are common causes of a baby throwing up after feeding.
Can formula make my baby constipated?
Adding too much formula powder to the mix can cause your baby to become constipated, so always use the recommended amount as indicated on the packaging. If your baby is under 8 weeks and hasn’t had a poo for 2-3 days, talk to your midwife, GP, or health visitor.
How to get help with bottle feeding
If you need further help and support, please speak with your midwife or health visitor.
You can learn more about feeding your baby by visiting our page here, and more about caring for your baby here.