The Precious Family Land

Baby bottlefeed

If you decide to bottlefeed your baby, your midwife or health visitor will show you how to make up a bottle of milk formula. It’s very easy, but has to be done carefully. The most important points are to use exactly the recommended amount of milk powder for your baby’s weight in order to make the feed to the correct strength and to make sure that you know how to sterilize the bottle, teat and cover properly. Dirty bottles and teats or half-empty bottles left lying around are a good breeding ground for germs which can cause diarrhoea in a baby.

If your baby is unsettled after finishing a bottle, try to calm him by sitting him up, leaning him forward slightly across your arm and rubbing his back. He might be happier if you give him something to suck. The crook of your bent (and clean) little finger will do or a sterilized soother. Bottlefeed babies often like to suck for longer than a bottle feed allows them.

If you’re going out, don’t forget to take bottles and formula with you. You never know when you are going to be delayed. It’s not a good idea to make up a feed before you go unless you can keep the bottle in a cool box. Either take a thermos flask of boiled water or ask for some boiled water at a restaurant or someone’s house, then cool the freshly-made-up feed to the right temperature by shaking the bottle gently under cold running water or in the air. Your midwife or health visitor will help you with any bottle-feeding problems.

Whether you choose to breastfeed or bottlefeed your baby in the early months, try to make each feed an enjoyable and relaxed time for you both.

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