You may choose to give your baby formula milk, want to combination feed or give your baby expressed breastmilk by bottle. Our service will support you however you choose to feed your baby.
Making up formula feeds
Cleaning and sterilising bottles
Knowing how much to feed your baby; responsive and paced bottle feeding
Feeding cues
Skin to skin
Infant formula is usually made from cow’s milk and has been treated to make it suitable for babies. There are many types of formula so always check the label before giving to your baby. However it is recommended to always use first stage milks until at least twelve months when it is recommended that your baby moves on to full fat cow’s milk. Your baby can stay on first stage milk whilst you are introducing them to solids at around six months. Vitamins are added to formula milk. If your baby is taking 500ml or more a day then additional vitamins should not be given.
Formula comes in two forms; ready-made formulas which are sterile and sold in cartons, and powered infant formula which is not sterile and must be made up safely. Instructions for doing this can be found here:
How to bottle feed your baby; responsive and paced feeding
You and your partner should feed your baby to build up a close and loving bond between yourselves.
Make sure that you are sitting comfortably, always hold your baby close to you and look into their eyes when feeding. This helps the baby feel safe and loved.
Hold your baby fairly upright for feeds, with their head supported so that they can breathe and swallow comfortably.
Brush the teat against your babies lips, and when your baby opens their mouth wide, allow them to draw in the teat.
Gently insert the teat into your baby’s mouth, keeping the bottle in a horizontal position (just slightly tipped), to prevent milk from flowing too fast.
Allow just enough milk to cover teat and pace the feed to meet babies’ needs, gently removing it if baby appears to want a break and may need to burp.
If the teat becomes flattened while you are feeding, pull gently on the corner of your baby’s mouth to release the vacuum.
Your baby will know how much milk they need. Forcing your baby to finish a feed will be distressing, and can mean your baby is overfed.
