Baby's feeding equipment

If you're breast-feeding you'll need the minimum of equipment, but bottle-feeding mothers will have to buy a complete kit.

If you're breast-feeding you'll need the minimum of equipment - feeding bras and breast pads for you, and a couple of bottles and a breast pump if you want to express some milk. Bottle-feeding mothers will have to buy a complete feeding kit. There are many kinds of bottles and teats. Some teats are moulded to the shape of the baby's mouth; others are designed to move in and out like a human nipple when sucked.

When your baby starts on solids you'll need equipment for mashing food into a smooth enough purée. You'll also need unbreakable dishes to serve it in. Special dishes that keep the food hot are available, although they're not essential. Bibs, however, are. Probably the most efficient style is the plastic bib with a trough that catches all drips or pieces of food and can be washed easily.

For an older baby you'll also need some form of highchair and there's a wide variety to choose from. Make sure that the chair is stable, that it has washable surfaces, a tray with a rim to catch spilt liquids, and a safety harness. Make sure you can release the harness quickly if your baby chokes on food. Some highchairs have adaptable footrests and seats so can be used at the family table for an older child for many years.

Feeding equipment

New baby/breast-feeding

• Feeding bra

• Breast pads

• Breast pump if you need to express milk

• Bottles or breast milk storage containers for expressed milk

New baby/bottle-feeding

• Bottles

• Teats

• Formula

• Sterilizing equipment - cold-water unit, steam sterilizer or microwave steam sterilizer

• Bottle brush

Older baby

• Plastic bowls

• Weaning spoons and forks

• Trainer cups

• Blender or liquidizer

• Bibs

• Highchair and/or booster seat

• Safety harness

Dr Miriam Stoppard

New Babycare
Copyright © 2009 Dorling Kindersley
Text copyright © 2009 Miriam Stoppard

Posted 30.06.2010

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