Knowing how to bottle-feed a baby gives both you and your little one a smoother experience.
In this guide on how to feed a baby a bottle, you’ll find useful tips and advice on common concerns.
Getting Ready for Bottle-Feeding
Get set up with equipment and learn how to prepare milk.
How to Choose the Right Bottle and Nipple
Choose bottles that are the right size for your baby’s stage of development — small (5-6 oz/140-180 ml) or large (8-9 oz/225-270 ml).
Choose self-sterilizing bottles for hassle-free cleaning or anti-colic bottles to minimize air intake. Dr Talbot's offers a solution that combines both features.
A preemie or slow-flow nipple is best for newborn or very young babies.
How to Prepare Formula or Breast Milk
- Wash your hands.
- Clean your preparation area.
- Sterilize your bottle or use a self-sterilizing bottle.
- Measure out formula and add to the bottle.
- Warm the formula if desired by placing the bottle in a bowl of warm water, or use a bottle warmer.
Learn more about preparing formula on the CDC website.
If you’re bottle-feeding your baby with expressed breast milk, it’s important to know how to store and handle it properly. Follow these tips:
- Use breast milk bags or food-grade containers for storage.
- Label your container with the date the milk was expressed.
- Breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or the freezer for up to 6 months.
- Thaw breast milk by placing it in the refrigerator overnight or sitting the container in a bowl of warm water.
- Use the Dr Talbot’s MilkFresh [link] system to help you manage your breast milk.
Discover more about storing and handling breast milk on the CDC website.
How to Feed a Baby with a Bottle
Learn how to feed a bottle to a baby in this section.
Bottle-Feeding Techniques and Positions
Follow these instructions on feeding technique:
- Brush your baby’s mouth with the nipple and insert it gently.
- Hold the bottle in a horizontal position.
- Take a break every few minutes to burp your baby.
Hold your baby in an upright or semi-upright position. Try the cradle position, supporting the back of their head with the crook of your elbow. Or sit down with your knees bent and lay them against your thighs at an upwards angle so they are facing you.
Tips for Successful Bottle-Feeding
Make sure your baby is latched onto the nipple before they start feeding. You can do this by brushing your baby's mouth with the nipple so they open their mouth.
Once their mouth is open, place the bottle against the chin with the nipple pointing towards the roof of their mouth. They should now latch on properly.
Ensure the milk flows at a slow, even pace. You can do this by selecting a slow-flow nipple and giving your baby a break every few minutes. This technique, called paced feeding, will help prevent choking or overfeeding.
How to Deal with Common Problems
Find the answers to common problems when bottle-feeding a baby.
Possible Feeding Challenges
Your baby may refuse the bottle if they are distracted. Take them to a quiet room to continue feeding.
If they don’t appear to be hungry, give them a break and try to feed them again after a short time.
Try an anti-colic bottle or hydrolyzed formula (with smaller proteins) if they experience painful gas.
Colic (persistent crying) is very common. Experiment with different feeding positions to see if they are more comfortable for your baby.
Babies sometimes spit up milk when they drink too much or too quickly. Give them a smaller amount of milk or take a break every few minutes.
Consult your pediatrician if you have any concerns about feeding.
Suggested Feeding Schedules and Amounts
Age | Amount of milk at each feed | Frequency of feeds |
Newborn | 0.5 to 2 oz (14 to 57 ml) | 8 to 12 feeds per 24 hours |
2 weeks | 2-3 oz (57 to 85 ml) | 7 to 9 feeds per 24 hours |
2-4 months | 4-5 oz (114 to 142 ml) | 7 to 9 feeds per 24 hours |
4-6 months | 4-6 oz (142 to 170 ml) | 7 to 9 feeds per 24 hours |
Source: WebMD website
Signs that show your baby is getting enough milk include:
- Producing several wet and dirty diapers per day.
- Steady weight gain.
- Appearing content.
Transition from Breast to Bottle-Feeding and Weaning
Discover how to transition from breast to bottle and how to wean your baby off the bottle.
From Breast to Bottle
Here’s how to make the transition from breast to bottle smoothly:
- Choose a slow-flow nipple that is age-appropriate.
- Opt for a rounded bottle that resembles the breast.
- Offer the bottle when your baby is in a relaxed mood.
- Warm the milk to body temperature before offering it to your baby.
To combine breast with bottle-feeding, give your baby 1 feed per day to start with. Build up the number of bottles offered per day gradually until you’re happy with the breast/bottle balance.
How to Wean Your Baby off the Bottle
You can start weaning your baby (introducing them to solid foods) when they are around 6 months of age.
To begin weaning, strap your baby into a high chair. Offer them 1 teaspoon of baby cereal or pureed food at 1 meal time per day initially. Over time, you can increase the number of teaspoons of food and the number of times a day you offer food to your baby. You can also add in textured food.
You may also wish to try baby-led weaning around the six-months mark. Instead of giving your little one special baby foods, you offer bite-size pieces of foods that the rest of the family are eating. Your baby is encouraged to feed themselves and try out different foods.
Once you start weaning your baby, introduce them to drinking from a training cup. Offer the cup once per day to start with, with the aim of your child drinking from an open cup by 2 years of age.
Making Bottle-Feeding a Better Experience
Understanding the importance of the right equipment and techniques makes bottle-feeding your baby a better experience.
By using the tips and guidelines we’ve provided, you can ensure that your baby’s feeding needs are met.
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FAQs
How frequently should I bottle-feed my baby?
At the newborn stage, you should feed on demand — up to 12 feeds per day. By the time your baby is 6 months, reduce feeds to 7 to 9 per day.
What is the best position for bottle-feeding?
An upright or semi-upright position is best for bottle-feeding.
Can I combine bottle-feeding with breastfeeding?
Yes — introduce the bottle slowly until your baby gets used to it. Experiment to find the right breast/bottle balance for you and your baby.
