Bottle feeding basics: how to feed your baby safely
Whether you are feeding your baby formula from the start, combining breast and bottle, or transitioning from breastfeeding, knowing how to bottle feed safely makes the whole experience calmer and more confident for you both. This article walks through the key steps, all drawn from NHS guidance.
Getting your equipment ready
Before any feed, your equipment needs to be cleaned and sterilised. Newborns are vulnerable to infections such as diarrhoea and vomiting, and sterilising removes the bacteria that can cause these illnesses.
- Wash first. Immediately after each feed, wash bottles, teats and all feeding equipment in hot, soapy water. Use dedicated bottle and teat brushes to reach every surface. Rinse with clean cold running water before sterilising. Do not use salt on teats, as this is dangerous for babies.
- Choose a sterilising method. You can sterilise by cold water solution, steam (electric or microwave), or boiling. Each method works well when used correctly.
- Cold water sterilising: Submerge all equipment in the sterilising solution and leave for at least 30 minutes. Change the solution every 24 hours. Make sure no air bubbles are trapped inside bottles or teats, and keep items fully submerged with a floating cover or plunger.
- Steam sterilising: Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific steriliser.
- Boiling: Place all equipment in a large pan of water and boil for at least 10 minutes, ensuring everything stays below the surface. Check teats regularly for damage, as boiling causes teats to deteriorate more quickly than other methods.
- Keep it sterile until use. Leave equipment in the steriliser or pan until you need it. If you remove it early, attach the teat and lid straight away. Always wash and dry your hands before handling sterilised items, and assemble bottles on a clean, disinfected surface. Sterile tongs are helpful.
- Until when? Keep sterilising all feeding equipment until your baby is at least 12 months old.
How to make up formula safely
Formula powder is not sterile, so the water you use must be hot enough to kill any harmful bacteria present. The order of steps matters.
- Fill the kettle with at least one litre of fresh tap water. Do not use water that has already been boiled, and do not use artificially softened or bottled water. Bottled water is not recommended as it may not be sterile and can contain levels of sodium or sulphate that are unsuitable for babies.
- Boil the water, then leave it to cool for no more than 30 minutes. This keeps the water at a temperature of at least 70 degrees Celsius, which is the minimum needed to kill bacteria in the powder.
- Clean and disinfect your work surface and wash your hands thoroughly.
- If using a cold-water steriliser, shake off any excess solution from the bottle, or rinse with cooled boiled water.
- Stand the bottle on the cleaned surface and pour in the required amount of hot water before adding the powder.
- Fill the scoop loosely with formula powder and level it off with a clean, dry knife or the leveller provided. Never add extra powder or less than the amount stated on the packaging; too much powder can cause constipation and dehydration, too little means your baby will not get the nutrition they need.
- Attach the teat and ring, screw the ring firmly, and cap the teat. Shake until the powder has fully dissolved.
- Cool the bottle quickly by holding it under cold running water.
- Test the temperature on the inside of your wrist. It should feel warm or cool, not hot.
- Throw away any formula left over after the feed. Never save it for later. Make up each feed freshly, one at a time, only when needed.
Never warm formula in a microwave, as it heats unevenly and can create hot spots that could burn your baby's mouth.
Feeding on the go
If you need to prepare a feed away from home, carry the measured powder in a clean, dry container and bring freshly boiled water in a vacuum flask. A vacuum flask will keep water above 70 degrees Celsius for several hours. When you need to feed, make up the formula as usual using the hot water, then cool it rapidly under cold running water before giving it to your baby.
If you use ready-made liquid formula, store it as follows: at room temperature, use within 2 hours; in a cool bag with an ice pack, use within 4 hours; in a fridge, use within 24 hours.
Bottle feeding positions and technique
How you hold your baby and the bottle affects both their comfort and their safety during feeds.
- Semi-upright position. Always hold your baby in a semi-upright position for bottle feeds. Support their head so they can breathe and swallow comfortably. Never lay them flat to feed.
- Horizontal bottle angle. Keep the bottle roughly horizontal, tilted just slightly so the teat fills with milk rather than air. This gives your baby more control over the flow.
- Let your baby lead. Gently brush the teat against your baby's lips. When they open their mouth wide, let them draw the teat in themselves rather than pushing it in.
- If the teat flattens. During the feed, the teat can collapse inward, reducing milk flow. Gently slide a clean finger into the corner of your baby's mouth to release the suction, then continue feeding. Replace any blocked or damaged teats with sterile ones.
- Never leave your baby alone to feed. Propping a bottle and walking away is not safe. Your baby needs you present throughout every feed.
Winding your baby
Babies swallow air during feeds, and this can cause discomfort. After a feed, and sometimes during a longer feed, hold your baby upright and gently rub or pat their back to help bring up any wind. Every baby is different in how much winding they need.
Responsive feeding: following your baby's lead
One of the most helpful things to understand about bottle feeding is that every baby is different. Your baby will know how much milk they need, so follow their cues rather than encouraging them to empty the bottle each time.
Signs your baby is hungry include becoming restless, turning their head and opening their mouth (known as the rooting reflex), and sucking on their fist or fingers. Crying is a late sign of hunger, so try to respond before they reach that point.
Newborns need small amounts of formula to start with and will feed little and often. Give your baby plenty of time at each feed. Do not worry if they do not finish; this is completely normal.
Signs your baby is getting enough include around 6 wet nappies a day with clear or pale yellow urine once feeding is established, at least one bowel movement a day after the first week, and steady weight gain tracked at the routine checks at birth, week 1, and then at 8, 12, 16 weeks, and 1 year.
Always use first infant formula for the whole of the first year. Follow the instructions on the packaging precisely and do not add anything extra to the milk, such as sugar or cereals.
Frequently asked questions
How do I hold my baby for bottle feeds?
Hold your baby in a semi-upright position and support their head so they can breathe and swallow comfortably. Keep the bottle roughly horizontal, tilted just enough for the teat to fill with milk. Never prop the bottle and leave your baby to feed alone.
How much formula does a newborn need?
Newborn babies need quite small amounts of formula to start with and will feed little and often. Every baby is different, so let your baby guide how much they take rather than encouraging them to finish a bottle. Around 6 wet nappies a day with pale urine, along with steady weight gain, are good signs your baby is getting enough.
How do I make up formula safely?
Boil fresh tap water and leave it to cool for no more than 30 minutes, so it stays at least 70 degrees Celsius. Pour the measured water into the bottle first, then add the correct amount of powder. Cool the bottle under cold running water and test the temperature on your inner wrist before feeding. Throw away any formula left over after the feed.
How long do I need to sterilise bottles?
Sterilise all feeding equipment, including bottles and teats, until your baby is at least 12 months old. You can use cold water sterilising solution, steam, or boiling. Always wash equipment in hot soapy water immediately after each feed and rinse with cold water before sterilising.
What should I do with leftover formula?
Throw away any formula left in the bottle after a feed. Do not save it for a later feed. To reduce waste and infection risk, make up one feed at a time only when you need it.
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