How to Bottle Feed With Infant Formula

When is infant formula feeding recommended?

Infant formal feeding may be recommended in place of breastfeeding if:

• The baby’s mother is not physically able to breastfeed.
• The baby’s mother is not present.
• The baby’s mother has a health problem, such as an infection or dehydration.
• The baby’s mother is taking medicines that can get into breast milk and harm the baby.
• The baby needs extra calories. Babies may need extra calories if they were very small at birth or have trouble gaining weight.

How to prepare for a feeding

1. Prepare the formula.
   1. If you are preparing a new bottle, follow the instructions on the formula label.
   1. Do not use a microwave to warm up a bottle of formula. If you want to warm up formula that was stored in the refrigerator, use one of these methods:
      1. Hold the formula under warm, running water.
      1. Put the formula in a pan of hot water for a few minutes.
   1. When the formula is ready, test its temperature by placing a few drops on the inside of your wrist. The formula should feel warm, but not hot.
2. Find a comfortable place to sit down, with your neck and back well supported. A large chair with arms to support your arms is often a good choice. You may want to put pillows under your arms and under the baby for support.
3. Put some cloths nearby to clean up any spills or spit-ups.

How to feed the baby

1. Hold the baby close to your body at a slight angle, so that the baby’s head is higher than his or her stomach. Support the baby’s head in the crook of your arm.
2. Make eye contact if you can. This helps you to bond with the baby.
3. Hold the bottle of formula at an angle. The formula should completely fill the neck of the bottle as well as the inside of the nipple. This will keep the baby from sucking in and swallowing air, which can create air bubbles in the baby’s tummy and cause discomfort.
4. Stroke the baby’s lips gently with your finger or the nipple.
5. When the baby’s mouth is open wide enough, slip the nipple into the baby’s mouth.
6. Take a break from feeding to burp the baby if needed.
7. Stop the feeding when the baby shows signs that he or she is done. It is okay if the baby does not finish the bottle. The baby may give signs of being done by gradually decreasing or stopping sucking, turning the head away from the bottle, or falling asleep.
8. Burp the baby.
9. Throw away any formula that is left in the bottle.

Additional tips and information

• Do not feed the baby when he or she is lying flat. The baby’s head should always be higher than his or her stomach during feedings.
• Always hold the bottle during feedings. Never prop up a bottle to feed a baby.
• It may be helpful to keep a log of how much the baby eats at each feeding.
• You might need to try different types of nipples to find the one that the baby likes best.
• Do not give a bottle that has been at room temperature for more than two hours.
• Do not give formula from a bottle that was used for a previous feeding.