Bottle Feeding

I have bottle fed both my children, for some it just feels right. Your health visitor and other medical staff will advise you on breast feeding as it is better for the baby and encourages weight loss in the mother.

It is completely your decision, you have to do what feels right for you and your baby. You may well have started out breast feeding, as I did, but then with a poor latching baby moved to bottle feeding. Perhaps it has been your decision to bottle feed from the start.

Equipment You Need For Bottle Feeding

• Bottles, around 6 (I would recommend)

• Steriliser

• Tongs

• Teat brush

• Formula milk

• Expressed milk

• Jug or bottle warmer

Have a good look around, there are many different bottles that you can purchase these days. Speak to your friends and find out what they used and get some good recommendations before you purchase any. Also check that the teat is age appropriate.

With my son we must of bought at least 4 different brands over the space of 4 months. Trying to find the right one for your child can be very expensive.

All brands have different teat shapes and texture's, for my son who had problems with the sucking reflex muscle, we found that a flat shaped teat was best for him.

Making Up a Formula Bottle

All your equipment must be washed first and then sterilised before making a bottle up. So once this is done and you have cleared and cleaned a work surface, start by boiling the kettle. Place your bottle on a clean surface and remove the top, leaving the teat covered by the lid, fill your bottle with just boiled water to the required amount and replace the lid. You then need to follow the manufacturing instructions on how to prepare a formula feed. To cool your feed, place the bottle with the lid tightly secures into a jug of cold water until it is at your desired temperature.

Here's a link for some further information on making a formula feed / NHSCHOICES]

Which Formula To Buy

There are many different brands of formula, and all children are different, even my two had different brands to each other. Sometimes it is just a case of seeing which is best for your child.

Some children may need special formula milk. If you have any concerns regarding any allergies or if your child seems to be unsettled then ask your Health Visitor or GP for some advice.

Making Up a Expressed Milk Bottle Feed

As above, all your equipment must be wash and sterilised first! Start by pouring your expressed milk into the bottle and then place the bottle with the lid tightly secured into a jug of hot water to warm the feed, check it regularly until it reaches the required temperature.

Make sure you test the temperature of the milk before giving it to your child, you can do this by squirting a small amount onto the inside area of your wrist, if it is too hot then place the bottle with the lid on it in a jug of cold water until it is cool enough to feed your baby.

Never reheat a milk feed or warm it up in a microwave as this can cause hot spots in the milk and can scold your baby's mouth.

--Kerryflump (talk) 04:38, 4 May 2013 (UTC)