Bottle feeding your baby
Bottle feeding with infant formula milk is the alternative to breast feeding during the first six months of a baby’s life. Parents may choose to bottle feed with infant formula milk or a combination of breast and formula feeding. Expressed breast milk may also be given by a bottle. Bottle feeding as responsively as possible can help support the development of a close and loving parent-infant relationship.
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Sterilise feeding bottles
It is important to ensure that all feeding equipment used is sterilised and that formula is prepared according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
If you have any bottle feeding worries or concerns you should speak to your midwife or health visitor.
Visit the NHS website for a guide on sterilising baby feeding equipment.
Types of infant formula
In most cases, if you are giving your baby infant formula, first infant formula, sometimes called first stage or stage 1 milk (whey-based) is the only formula they will need in their first year of life.
A simple guide to infant formula, follow-on formula and other infant milks and what formula to choose can be found here.
Expressing your breast milk
Expressing milk means extracting milk out of your breasts so you can store it and feed it to your baby later. You can express breast milk either by hand or with an electric or manual pump, whichever is more comfortable for you.
After you have expressed your milk, you should either give it to your baby straight away, or store it in the fridge or freezer.
Feeding responsively
Whether babies are breast or bottle fed, feeding should be responsive. This means feeding your baby when they show signs of being hungry: look out for cues such as moving head and mouth around or sucking on fingers. Crying is the last sign of wanting to feed, so try and feed your baby before they cry. Whilst babies are feeding, maintain eye contact and hold the baby close helps them to feel safe and promotes a secure attachment to develop.
Babies will feel more secure if most feeds are given by mum and her partner especially in the early weeks, as this will really help you bond with each other.
Bottle feeding advice gives formula-feeding parents a quick overview on and tips on how to bottle feed responsively, and build up a close and loving relationship with your baby.
What infant formula to chose gives tips about choosing and using infant formula. Remember, 'first' formula can be used up until 12 months of age. And after that full-fat cow's milk can be used. You do not need to change to a follow-on formula at any time.