How to Bottle Feed a Newborn

How to make up a baby bottle

The first step in learning how to introduce a bottle to your baby is knowing how to make up the bottle. Before you begin to make the bottle, clean and sterilize your baby’s bottle either with a commercial sterilizer or with a pan and boiling water.
 

Once you have cleaned the bottle and the surface that you will be using, as well as your hands, follow these steps to make up a bottle: ²

1. Boil the water. If you are using a pan, ensure that the water comes to a rolling boil and is not left for more than 30 minutes after boiling.

2. Read the formula packaging instructions. If you are giving your baby formula, refer to the instructions provided on the packaging to know how much water and powder you need.

3. Add the formula and water together. Add the water to the bottle and then the specified amount of formula in the sterilized bottle and mix it thoroughly by gently shaking the bottle.

4. Immediately cool the bottle. Once you have mixed the formula and water, hold the bottle under cold running water to cool it down to feeding temperature. But ensure that the level of the cooling water is below the bottle lid to avoid contaminating the feed. You can then dry the bottle with a towel after you have cooled it.

5. Check the temperature. Drip a little formula onto the inside of your wrist to check the temperature. The liquid should be lukewarm and if it is not, simply run it under some more cold water until it has reached the desired temperature.

Now that you know how to make a baby bottle, we will discuss how to get your baby to take a bottle.

How to bottle feed a newborn

Like most parents, you’re probably wondering how to get your baby to take a bottle quickly. Here are a few things you can do to help when getting your baby to take the bottle: ³

• Tilt the head. Keep your baby’s head tilted above his or her body to help prevent choking, spitting up, and overfeeding.
  
  
• Introduce the nipple. Bring the nipple to your baby’s lips and gently guide it into his or her mouth.
  
  
• Choose a bottle with the correct nipple/ teat size. For maximum ease, comfort, and safety, make sure the bottle is fitted with the correct nipple/teat size for your baby. This will help maintain a steady rhythm and pace for feeding.
  
  
• Burp during and after. Burp your baby both during feedings, about halfway through, and after he or she has finished the bottle.
  
  
• Throw the rest away. When your baby starts turning his or her head away from the bottle or closes his or her mouth, it means the feeding is over. You can then throw away any remaining milk that is left in the bottle.

In addition to those above tips, consider these three popular positions for bottle feeding a newborn:

• Cradle hold. Place your baby in the crook of your arm and support the head while tilting his or her body in a slightly leaned-back position. Ensure that your newborn’s chin isn’t tilting towards his or her chest before feeding.

• Sitting up. In this position, hold your baby in a sitting position on your lap with his or her back against your chest. If your baby has reflux symptoms, this is also a great position to help prevent spitting up.
  
  
• Bent legs. If you and your baby are in need of some extra face time, this may be just the position for you. Place your baby on your lap facing you with his or her feet against your stomach. Bottle feed your little one while the two of you enjoy the additional bonding time.

If you find that you are still having difficulty getting your baby to take the bottle, check out this article on what you can do when a baby refuses a bottle. You can also contact your child’s doctor for any questions or concerns, as well as if you think your baby has reflux symptoms. After all, your doctor knows what’s best for your baby’s unique needs!