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No matter what method you've chosen to nourish your baby, most likely, you will need to learn how to bottle feed a newborn. Exclusively pumping? Storing breast milk for another person to feed the baby? Infant formula feeding your baby? Whatever method, you'll find a wealth of information in this article to guide you through the process.
Always wash your hands before feeding your newborn. As we will discuss later in this article, position your newborn on your lap.
The proper bottle angle:
Hold the bottle at an angle from the bottom. Keep the bottle at a slight incline. The formula or breastmilk should fill the nipple to keep the baby from sucking air.
Starting the feeding:
Gently rub the bottle nipple over your baby's lips. Your baby should open their mouth and take the nipple into it. Start feeding them enough milk for a good mouthful; the nipple should be in the mouth enough to keep it open and wide.
During the feeding:
Give your baby a couple of ounces of milk or infant formula. Take breaks during the feeding to burp and eliminate any swallowed air.
Burping technique:
To burp a baby, hold it upright on your lap or against your shoulder and chest. Put a burp cloth or other towel under its chin to catch any burped-up liquid or drooling. Gently rub its back or tap it with the flat of your hand to help dispel any air.
Feed your baby, holding the bottle at an angle until they take no more breast milk or formula from the bottle.
Plan to bottle-feed your baby for at least 20 minutes. Settle into a comfortable position in a calm environment and relax. This is very important when bottle feeding your baby as it lets them know they are safe and you are comfortable feeding them this way.
The ideal position:
With your baby close to your chest and belly, support their head in the upper crook of your arm at an angle where their head and neck are aligned.
Critical safety note:
Keep your baby from lying flat after feeding to eliminate the risk of choking or spitting up.
Why positioning matters:
Bottle-fed babies are sometimes prone to ear infections. If the position during bottle feeding is not correct, the milk can go into the middle ear through the Eustachian tube and make your baby sick.
Paced bottle-feeding (PBF) puts your baby in control of their feeding. They sit in a more upright position. Instead of the milk flowing into their mouths as in traditional feedings, they get it slower. It encourages them to take breaks, and they eat more deliberately.
Why paced feeding works:
Paced bottle-feeding helps the baby avoid overindulging. Since gravity and milk flowing quickly are eliminated, the baby tends to slow down, eat when hungry, and stop when full.
You can never snuggle your baby enough during any feeding, including bottle-feeding! Most important is the way you interact with them at feeding time. You'll respond to your baby's cues more readily and get to know them better.
Tips to bond with your baby:
Get skin-to-skin: Unbutton the front of your shirt, loosen the baby's clothing, and hold your baby close. If appropriate, bundle up with them under a blanket. This skin contact boosts the hormone oxytocin and enhances parent-baby bonding.
Talk to your baby: Talking or singing can be soothing. They've heard your voice for months before birth, so they feel comfortable hearing it while you feed them. Some say that it will encourage them to babble earlier.
Stare into your baby's eyes: Gazing at them directly about eight to ten inches from their face (they can focus at this distance) can also release oxytocin.
According to a review in the National Library of Medicine (NIH), "An infant's milk intake during feeding was shown to have a strong association with the interaction between the infant and parent/caregiver."
Bottle-feeding babies does not mean that you don't care for them. You can be just as close to your baby with bottle feeds.
Your bottle-feeding position can affect whether your baby likes to take a bottle, especially in a breastfed baby who has only been fed from the breast in a cradle or football hold. Maybe you've fed them lying flat on your bed from the breast.
The transition strategy:
In any case, they may not agree readily when you want to give your baby their nutrition from a bottle. Patience and consistency are the best thing to have when you want to get them to feed from a bottle.
You can ease into it by switching to a bottle for one feeding each day and increasing this as time passes.
Reading hunger cues:
Most newborns will take any form of nutrition if they are hungry enough. Let your baby show you the cues that they are hungry, such as:
When they are showing these hunger cues, use this time to introduce them to bottle feeding. Don't worry that they won't try to eat, as most newborn babies will drink from any place that gives them food.
| Age of Baby | Number of Ounces | How Often |
| Newborn | 1.5 - 3 ounces | Every 2-3 hours |
| Two months | 4-5 ounces | Every 3-4 hours |
| Four months | 4-6 ounces | 4-5 times daily |
| Six months | 6-8 ounces | 4-5 times daily |
This is only an estimate, as every baby is different. Watch for signs that your baby is still hungry or too full to finish a bottle. Over-feeding increases your baby's risk of spitting up the infant formula or breast milk post-feeding.
Although many manufacturers may claim that their bottles are the ones to choose from, there is no scientific evidence that one bottle is better than another. Getting a baby exclusively breastfed to take a bottle may be a little more challenging, but they will take it with patience from you.
What to look for:
Choosing a bottle and nipple that is simple to wash and sterilize is best. Nipples that look like human breasts may be easier for the baby to latch onto, but a baby will take any nipple that gives it the nourishment it is hungry for.
Nipple flow guidance:
Start with a slow-flowing nipple for your infant. Signs you may need to adjust:
About anti-colic bottles:
Many companies claim to have the best bottle construction for eliminating gas. If your baby is held in the correct position and only gets the milk in the bottle, no air, the gas is more likely from something you ate if they are taking breast milk.
Essentially, the act of making a bottle is the same for breast milk and infant formula. It's how the liquid is prepared that is different.
You can make a bottle from frozen or fresh breast milk.
Important safety timeframes:
Although it is painful for a mother to throw away her precious breastmilk, you need to keep these timeframes in mind:
Preparation steps:
The storage bags can be warmed in a bottle warmer or warm water and poured into a bottle. Attach the nipple and ring to the bottle and ensure they are not leaking.
If you aren't using storage bags, you can pour the breastmilk directly into the bottle from the collection cup from your breast pump.
Ready-to-feed formula:
If you use ready-to-feed baby formula, you can pour it directly from the container. Run the bottle or can top under warm, soapy water and rinse, as germs could be on the surface. Ready-to-feed formula is convenient but tends to be more expensive than powdered formula.
Concentrated formula:
Concentrated formula is also an option. You must add the proper amount of water to ensure your baby's proper nutrition.
Powdered formula preparation:
If you use powdered infant formula, you must prepare it before filling your bottles. Although it may seem easier to make up the formula for the entire day, it is recommended that you make your bottles one at a time.
Bacteria in water can multiply very fast at room temperature, and even in the fridge, they are likely to grow, although at a slower pace.
Safe preparation steps:
Critical mistakes to avoid:
Proper bottle hygiene is essential for your baby's health. Always wash bottles after every use with hot soapy water, and sterilize them regularly, especially for babies under three months. You can sterilize by boiling bottles for five minutes, using a steam sterilizer, or running them through a dishwasher with a sanitizing cycle.
Quick cleaning tip:
Many parents find that using a dedicated bottle washer system, such as the Momcozy KleanPal Pro Bottle Washer, simplifies the cleaning and sterilizing process significantly, saving time while ensuring thorough sanitation.
Bottle feeding can be a pleasurable experience for both you and your baby. Whether feeding breastmilk or infant formula, you can bond just as deeply with proper positioning and attention to your baby's cues. Hold your baby at a 30-45 degree angle, keep the nipple full of milk, take regular burping breaks, and never prop the bottle. With Momcozy's feeding solutions and these techniques, you'll create comfortable, bonding feeding experiences while ensuring your baby gets proper nutrition.
The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider regarding any medical condition. Momcozy is not responsible for any consequences arising from the use of this content.
