Bottle Feeding Your Baby

In the Hospital

Soon after your newborn is born, you'll begin feeding her. Some moms begin breastfeeding in the delivery room. For those women who want to exclusively breastfeed, the hospital nursery staff will bring the baby to the mom (or the baby may also room-in with her mom) when she is hungry. They typically will not give the baby any formula in the hospital, so that the nursing mom has a chance to build up her milk supply by feeding baby on demand.

For those babies who will be bottle fed, however, the nursing staff will supply the formula. Sometimes, they may even feed the baby, if the mother can't for various reasons. For new parents, the nursing staff may take the time to give some one-on-one instruction for mixing the formula and feeding baby.

Establishing a Schedule

Once you take your baby home, you're on your own. You and your partner will spend a lot of time bottle feeding your baby, especially for the first few months. Several years ago, pediatricians encouraged parents to feed on a set schedule, usually every three to four hours.

Today, doctors realize that different babies have different needs. The general rule is to feed on demand. You'll soon realize when your baby is hungry, and you should feed her accordingly. In the first few weeks, this will probably be every one to two hours, but as she grows and develops, you'll begin to notice a pattern to her eating.

At this time, you can begin establishing some semblance of a feeding schedule. For questions and concerns about bottle feeding your baby, contact your pediatrician.

Sterilizing Bottles

Many parents believe in sterilizing bottles before every use. While you should definitely sterilize them in boiling water for five minutes before the first use, you should be able to wash them in hot, soapy water, and rinse them thoroughly for each subsequent feeding. The dishwasher works well, too. However, if you have well water, you should use caution and sterilize the bottles before every use.

Formula

Bottle feeding your baby involves not only cleaning the bottles, nipples, and any other bottle accessories, but also preparing the formula. In most cases, water doesn't need to be sterilized before mixing with formula. However, if you use well water, you should sterilize the water before using it.

Formula generally comes in three styles:

• Powder: This is by far the cheapest formula. You can buy large cans of formula, which you will then mix with water or breast milk according to the directions on the can.
• Liquid concentrate: Liquid concentrate typically requires you to mix with water.
• Ready to use: This formula is just what it implies. It's ready to use straight out of the can. It is very convenient, great for travel, but also more expensive.

Your pediatrician will typically recommend a formula for your baby. If you notice any problems, however, you should notify him or her immediately before switching formulas.

Warming the Bottle

You should never heat a bottle in the microwave. Instead, set the bottle in a cup or pan of warm water, or hold it under running water to warm. You should not boil the water, however.

Babies don't have to have heated bottles, but sometimes they prefer warm rather than cold formula or breast milk.

Bottle Feeding Your Baby

Finally, whether you feed your baby breast milk or formula, bottle feeding your baby should be a bonding time for you both. For new and inexperienced parents, finding the best position for feeding your baby will take some time. Holding your baby at a 45-degree angle should reduce her chances of taking in excess air. Be sure that the nipple is always full of fluid as well.

Hold her close, look into her eyes, and enjoy this quiet time together. In a very short time, your baby will have grown into a toddler, and your quiet moments with her will be few and far between.

Related Baby Articles

• Starting Baby on Solid Foods
• Newborn Baby Care
• Newborn Baby Sleep Habits
• Baby Development Stage for the First Six Months
• Feeding Baby Formula