If you have decided to bottle feed your babyyou may be confused about where to start and how to ensure your baby receives all the nutrients he or she needs. This page explains the basics of bottle feeding and links out to other useful info to help make feeding a safe and stress-free experience for you and your baby.
When you are ready to start bottle feeding, read our guides to sterilising and making up bottles for further useful advice
How often should I feed my baby?
Experts suggest that you let your baby choose his own routine when bottle feeding, how often and how much. As a general guideline between birth and six months your baby will need an average of 2 to 2.5 ounces of formula per pound per day. So, if your baby weighs ten pounds, she will need 20 to 25 ounces per day. In metric measurements this is equivalent to between 150-200ml of formula per kilogram of his body weight per day
Small amounts often work best as your baby's stomach is only small. Giving large amounts of milk in one feed will not necessarily help your baby to go longer between feeds. Instead they may be sick or put on too much weight – so don't worry if they don't want to finish the bottle.
There is so much choice, which formula is best for my baby?
There isn't going to be that much that differs between the varying kinds of formula. The majority of formula milks are made from cows milk and manufacturers try to get them to resemble breastmilk as close as possible. They will all contain fat, protein, carbohydrate, vitamins and minerals. It could be a choice made by your baby depending on his tastes or for health reasons you may be advised by your GP to try a different formula. You can find out more about choosing formula milk here.
Formula now comes in different forms; powder, which you make up with water or ready made cartons, which are useful if you are going out.
Do note that there is no evidence that changing from a 'first' milk to any other type of formula is necessary or beneficial - at any point, unless for medical reasons.
Read our guide to baby formula here
How do I help my baby to feed from a bottle?
Always hold your baby close to you and look into his eyes when feeding. This helps your baby feel safe and loved. Try to hold your baby fairly upright, with his head supported in a comfortable, neutral position. Hold the bottle horizontal to the ground, tilting it just enough to ensure your baby is taking milk, not air, through the teat. Babies feed in bursts of sucking with short pauses to rest. In this position, when your baby pauses for a rest the milk will stop flowing, allowing him to have a short rest before starting to suck again. Brush the teat against his lips and when he opens his mouth wide with his tongue down, help him draw the teat in. You will see bubbles in the bottle as your baby feeds. If you can』t see any bubbles, break the suction between his tongue and the teat from time to time by moving the teat slightly to the side of his mouth. You should then see bubbles rushing back up into the remaining milk. Your baby may need short breaks during the feed; he may also need to burp sometimes. Interrupting the feed from time to time also gives your baby a chance to register how 『full』 he is, and thus control his intake. Your baby needs to be able to relate to those caring for him. Aim to keep the number of people who feed him as small as possible. Your baby should always be held and never be left unattended while feeding from a bottle.
How can I bond with my baby when bottle feeding?
Bonding with your baby is not unique to breastfeeding mums, formula babies have just as much of a relationship to build upon and you can enhance this by creating a relaxing and loving environment for your baby to feed in. Make sure you are cradling your baby as touch is very important, as is eye to eye contact for establishing and constantly renewing the bond between you and your baby. Don't let anyone criticise your choice, be respectful of their choice and hope that they will respect yours.
How will my baby's bottle feeding change as they grow? During the first week, your baby will only be able to manage small amounts – try offering between 3
0ml and 60ml at each feed. At about one month old, your baby may want between 90ml and 120ml at each feed. They may drink between 400-800ml per day. They may want more milk at some feeds than others – they may drink their milk quickly and they will soon let you know if they want more! Between two and six months, your baby may take between 120ml and 180ml at a feed. They may drink anything from 700ml to over a litre a day. At about six months, they may want between 180ml and 220ml at a feed. Their total formula intake may be about 900ml a day. It is normal for a baby’s feeding and sleeping patterns to alter as they grows and develop. This does not mean that they needs to change milk. Nor does it mean that they needs to start solid food before your baby is six months old.
How much milk does my baby need when she starts solid food?
When you start giving your baby solids, the daily intake of formula milk is likely to gradually decrease to about 720ml. Once your baby is fully established on solids, your baby will need about 500ml to 600ml of formula every day alongside a varied diet. If your baby doesn』t want this amount of milk, you can always give them milky foods such as custard, rice pudding and yoghurt, or cheesy sauces. After your baby turns one year old, they can move from drinking formula to full-fat cow's milk and will need approximately 400ml of milk per day.
Does my baby need water?
Your baby may occasionally need extra water, especially if the weather is hot and she’s thirstier than usual. However, only give small amounts of water at a time. You don』t want water to replace a feed and make your baby too full for her milk. If your baby is younger than six months, boil the water first and allow it to cool before offering it to her. Tap water is fine to use as it’s cheap, safe, and there’s plenty of it. You will need to offer your baby water if she becomes constipated. Extra fluids can help to soften her poo if she hasn』t been getting enough liquids.
Check that you've been measuring out and mixing up her formula correctly. Formula with too much powder in it can cause constipation. Your baby will also need extra water if she’s ill or feverish, as water alongside her usual milk will help to re-hydrate her properly. You may have seen many types of flavoured or plain waters in the shops, which are marketed solely for babies and toddlers. These can be expensive and are not necessary for your baby.
Does my baby need vitamins?
Vitamin supplements are recommended for:
• Babies and children from 6 months up to 5 years old
• Babies who are having less than 500ml (one pint) of infant formula a day might benefit from them earlier than 6 months.
Vitamin D can be particularly difficult to get from diet alone hence the recommendation of supplements. Exclusively breastfed babies may be at risk of vitamin D deficiency if their mother did not take this vitamin supplement during pregnancyand may benefit from taking it from one month – ask your midwife or health visitor for advice.
Read our information on vitamin supplements for children for more information
When should I move from a bottle to a cup?
It is a good idea to aim to wean your baby off the bottle after 12 months, and it's a good idea to encourage your baby to drink from a cup when they start on solid food.
Read our tips on moving from a bottle to a cup here.
If I am going out for the day or travelling how can I store my baby's feeds safely?
Transporting formula milk can cause harmful bacteria to grow so it's important to prepare and store your baby's feeds carefully by following guidelines from the Department of Health and Food Standards Agency. Find out how to transport your baby's milk safely on our page on bottle feeding when out and about
If I am travelling abroad can I use local formula milk?
Formula milks are available in most countries, but some countries do not have the same recommendations about safety and formula milk, or nutritional recommendations, so it may be a good idea to bring your formula with you unless you know that you can get more easily.
When travelling abroad where tap water is unsafe, or if labels may not state a bottled water is safe for infant feeding (or where the language is not understood) a bottled water with a sodium content less than 20mg of Sodium (Na) per 100ml should be used. Bottled water should be boiled and cooled to no less than 70°C before use as with ordinary tap water.