How to bottle-feed a baby

If breastfeeding isn’t possible for you, you may choose to bottle-feed your baby with either expressed breast milk or infant formula milk. Some babies will have no trouble taking a bottle, while others might need a little encouragement.

How to introduce bottle feeding

Wash and sterilise bottles, teats and bottle-feeding equipment before each feed. If you are using powdered infant formula, follow the instructions on the pack carefully and make up each feed with freshly boiled water that has cooled for no more than 30 minutes. If you are using expressed breast milk, follow safe storage and warm it gently if needed.

Check the temperature of the baby bottle by testing it on the inside of your wrist. If it feels too hot on your skin, cool the bottle by running it under the tap, then re-test on the wrist before feeding.

Next, seat yourself comfortably and hold your baby close. It’s better to sit your baby in a semi-upright position and support their head, so any air they might swallow can rise to the top. This helps with burping your baby.

Slide the teat into your baby’s mouth, keeping the bottle tipped at an angle so there is always milk in the teat (this keeps your baby from swallowing air). Now simply enjoy the closeness of this special time.

When your baby’s sucking slows, or around halfway through the bottle, sit them up and see if they need to burp. Once you’ve tried burping them, continue to feed them the rest of the bottle. When you are done, throw away any unfinished milk.

How much milk does your baby need?

You may notice your little one already has a unique personality, and they will make you aware when they’re full, tired, or just needing a break. Watch for baby’s cues, like slowing down, moving their head away, or resting for a while between bouts of sucking. Let your baby pause when they need to, and avoid encouraging them to finish the bottle if they seem full. This is known as responsive feeding.

Generally, you can follow the instructions on your baby formula, which tells you how much to use. However, you may need a little more or less, depending on your baby. Every baby is different, and some days they’ll be extra hungry, and at other times their appetite will be smaller. Watch their feeding cues and ask your health visitor if you are unsure.

Helpful bottle-feeding tips

• Don’t wait until your baby is hungry to give them their first bottle. This will only cause them frustration if they are a little unsure about the bottle.
• If you’re in a public area, they may be distracted by all the new noises and things going on around them, and it may take you longer than usual to feed, but let them look around for a bit, then try again.
• In hot weather, your baby may want feeds more often. For babies under 6 months, speak to your health visitor before offering anything other than breast milk or formula. If advised, use cooled boiled water.
• You may need to try a different teat shape or flow rate. If your baby splutters, leaks milk or seems frustrated, ask your health visitor for advice.

When to seek further support

Infant bottle-feeding takes a little practice for both you and your baby, and you’ll soon settle into a rhythm that works. If your baby refuses the bottle, isn’t feeding well, or you have any concerns about their feeding, speak to your health visitor, GP or a healthcare professional.

For more guidance and tips, explore the Capricare® Parent Support Hub.