Bottle-feeding equipment, formulas and hygiene
There is a wide range of feeding bottles and teats now available. You may need to try a few to find out what suits your baby best.
© DK
Choosing the bottles
Buy unbreakable bottles that have a wide neck so that they're easy to fill and to clean; the 250ml (10floz) size is the most suitable. The teat should ideally be one shaped to fit the baby's mouth. Disposable bottles are useful for travelling, and for when you run out of sterilized bottles.
Sterilizing the bottles
Buy your feeding equipment well in advance of having your baby so that you can practise with it before your baby is born. Major department stores and chemists sell bottle-feeding packs that contain all the essential equipment.
All feeding equipment needs to be sterilized to reduce the risk of your baby getting ill. There are a number of ways of sterilizing bottles, but the most popular are cold-water sterilizing units and steam units. Whatever method you choose, always read the manufacturer's instructions carefully and follow them exactly. With cold-water sterilizing units bottles can be left in the solution. Before using a bottle shake off any excess solution from both the bottle and the teat or rinse with cooled boiled water from the kettle. If using a steam sterilizer, equipment should be re-sterilized before use if not used straight away. Dummies and teething rings should also be thoroughly cleaned before use.
The flow of milk
- You can buy teats with different-sized holes; alternatively to make a hole bigger you need a fine, red-hot needle. Simply insert it gently through the hole in the teat and the rubber, or plastic will melt. Have a few spare teats as it is not as easy as it sounds, and you may end up with holes that are much too large. I certainly did the first time I tried it.
- It is worth spending time getting the size of the hole just right, because if it is too large your baby will get too much too fast and cough and splutter. If the hole is too small, your baby will get tired from sucking before he has taken a full meal, and he may swallow too much air.
- Buy sculpted teats if possible. These are shaped to fit the baby's palate and allow the baby more control over the flow.
Milk formulas
A variety of milk formulas is available, all carefully formulated to make them as close as possible to breast-milk. In fact, formula milk has added vitamin D and iron, levels of which are quite low in breast milk.
Most formulas are based on cow's milk. Some formulas are available both in powder and ready-mixed forms. There are soya-based formulas available, but never give these to your baby without the advice of your doctor, midwife or health visitor. Ready-mixed milk comes in cartons or ready-to-feed bottles and is ultra-heat treated (UHT), which means it is sterile and will keep in a cool place until the “best before” date. Once the carton has been opened, the milk will keep for 24 hours in a refrigerator. Ready-mixed milk is more expensive than powdered formula, but it is very convenient when you are travelling.
Hygiene and preparation tips
- Always wash your hands before sterilizing, preparing and giving feeds.
- Make sure that everything that comes into contact with your baby's food is thoroughly cleaned or sterilized before use and always clean the work surface before starting to make up the feed.
- Follow all sterilizing instructions to the letter.
- Sterilize every piece of equipment that you use for making up your baby's feeds.
- Make up the feed according to the instructions. Never add any extra feed.
- Give the feed to your baby as soon as it is ready. Do not make up feeds in advance.
- Never give your baby leftover milk. Throw away any milk that's left after a feed.
New Babycare
Copyright © 2009 Dorling Kindersley
Text copyright © 2009 Miriam Stoppard
Posted 30.06.2010
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