Everything about bottles

At a certain point of a mom's life, you may need to introduce a bottle so your baby can be fed at times when breastfeeding is no longer possible. For some, it’s returning to work that makes this necessary; for others, it is because of separations such as short errands or vacation.

There’s much more to bottle-feeding than simply pouring liquid into the bottle. Here’s what to keep in mind so that both you and your baby reap the most out of the experience:

Keep it cozy and cherish each moment

Just as with breast-feeding, bottle-feeding can provide your little one with warmth, comfort, eye contact, skin contact, your scent, your conversation—the very basics of bonding. So talk, croon, cuddle, and enjoy your quiet time together.

Make it comfortable for the both of you

Pick a quiet, comfy spot where neither of you will be distracted. Holding your baby in a semi-upright position makes swallowing easier. To cradle her most easily in this position, you can first place a pillow on your lap.

Wash hands thoroughly with soap & water before preparing formula.

Switch position

When breastfeeding a baby, you must switch side between feedings, or even during one feeding. Do the same when bottle feeding your baby. This is good both for your own back and for the baby’s neck and vision.

Measure every time you fill the bottle

Whether you’re using ready-to-pour, liquid concentrate, or powdered formula, follow the instructions for preparation based on the amount you want to serve. If you’re not precise, you can upset your baby’s digestive system or cause her to miss out on her nutrient intake.

Please refer to your product packaging for the most accurate mixing information.

Skip reheating

Many babies are fine drinking formula at room temperature or even from bottles that have been pre-made and stored in the fridge. It’s perfectly nutritious.

Take burp breaks half way

All babies tend to need burping after they eat. Because bottle-fed babies usually take in more air which can make them uncomfortable, it helps to pause for a burp every 2 to 3 ounces of formula.

Watch your baby's signals

With formula, you know exactly how much is in the bottle and how much your baby is drinking. Nonetheless, these numbers matter less than your baby’s response. Your baby will let you know when she’s hungry (such as opening her mouth, sucking her hand, or squirming) and when she’s had enough (such as releasing the nipple or falling asleep).

Consider a breast-bottle feeding as a combo

Many moms don’t realize that feeding isn’t necessarily an either-or (breast or bottle) choice. After a breast-feeding mom’s milk supply is established, you may be able to supplement with occasional bottles of formula—handy for a babysitter or if you work and dislike pumping.

Let others help bottle-feed the baby

The beauty of bottle-feeding is that, even though it’s a happy, natural bonding time for you and your baby, you can share the experience. It’s smart to let your partner, parents, or other caregivers have the pleasure sometimes—allowing you to rest up for baby care and play.

Night feeding

To make the night feeding as easy as possible, prepare boiled water with the right temperature in a thermos that is ONLY used for the baby’s water. Then keep the water, the number of bottles you need and pre-measured powdered formula in the bedroom. This way you can fix the formula real fast when the baby wakes up.

Benefits of bottle feeding

The infant will consume a volume appropriate to their size and age, rather than over- or under-eating. This can support the working and pumping mom who then has an increased likelihood of pumping a daily volume equivalent to the baby’s demand.
This can minimize colic-like symptoms in the baby whose stomach is distended or over-fed.
It supports the breastfeeding relationship, hopefully leading to longer duration and increased success at breastfeeding particularly for mothers who are separated from their nurslings either intermittently or recurrently.

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