Bottle feeding my baby

Responsive bottle feeding means feeding your baby when they show signs of hunger. Where possible, a parent or main carer should give most feeds. This helps them recognise when the baby wants milk or needs a break, but most importantly bottle feeding your baby is a time to create a bond between parent and baby. Your baby may open their mouth, suck their hands or turn towards the bottle when hungry. Hold them close in a partly upright position. Touch the teat against their top lip and let them take it. Keep the bottle almost level so the milk flows slowly. If your baby slows down or stops sucking, lower the bottle to give them a break. Stop feeding if they turn away or push the teat out. They may also relax their hands or let milk run from their mouth. Do not force them to finish the bottle.

Your baby may seem calm and satisfied after most feeds. They should seem alert when awake and wake for feeds. Your baby should have enough wet nappies for their age. Their weight should also increase as expected. The amount your baby drinks may change between feeds. Follow their signs of hunger and let them stop when they have had enough. Do not focus only on fixed amounts or feeding times. Speak to a midwife, health visitor or another health professional if you are worried about your baby’s feeding, nappies or growth.

You can express breast milk by hand or with a breast pump. The right method for you may depend on why you are expressing and how often you need to do it. Use a clean container made for storing breast milk. You can find guidance about expressing and storing milk in the useful links section on this page. You can also find information about hiring a breast pump.

First infant formula is usually the only formula your baby needs during their first year, unless a health professional advises a special type. All infant formula sold in the UK must meet legal standards, so a higher price does not mean it is better. There is usually no need to change to follow on formula at 6 months or use formula sold for hungrier babies. If your baby wants to feed often, follow the signs that they want to feed. You can find independent information about formula feeding in the useful links section.

For safety, make one bottle at a time. Follow the instructions on the formula pack and the step-by-step NHS guidance in the useful links section on this page. Use water that is at least 70°C when you add the formula powder. This helps to kill harmful bacteria that may be in the powder. Use the exact amount of water and powder shown on the pack. Using too much or too little water or powder could make your baby unwell or affect their growth.

Some health experts have concerns about rapid cooling devices and formula preparation machines. Rapid cooling devices may cool the formula too quickly. This means that it may not stay hot for long enough to kill harmful bacteria in the powder. Formula preparation machines may not use water that is hot enough to kill harmful bacteria in the powder. The safest option is to follow the NHS guidance in the useful links section on this page.

Wash bottles, teats and other feeding equipment in hot, soapy water before you sterilise them. Rinse everything under clean, cold running water. Clean the equipment thoroughly so sterilising works properly. You can sterilise feeding equipment using cold water solution, steam or boiling. Whichever sterilising method you choose, follow the manufacturer's instructions. UV sterilising is not currently recommended because there is not enough evidence about how effective it is. The NHS and First Steps Nutrition provide useful information on different sterilising methods.