Your baby: Formula feeding

Feeding time is a time to nurture your baby emotionally as well as nutritionally. It is important to hold, cuddle and talk to your baby during feedings.

Never prop a bottle or leave your baby alone to feed. It is dangerous and can cause choking, ear infections and tooth decay.

Expect your baby's appetite to vary from feeding to feeding. Some days, your baby may drink a little more formula, other days, a little less.

Choosing a formula

Consult your baby's health care provider for advice about choosing the right formula. There are several types of formulas, but most babies should be given iron-fortified, cow's-milk-based formula. Iron-fortified formula is important for preventing anemia and iron deficiency, which can cause slow development.

Formulas come in powder, concentrated liquid, and ready-to-use forms.

Powder is the least expensive and does not need to be refrigerated until mixed, but it can be difficult to measure and mix when you're away from home. If you have a well, use bottled water for 6 months. If you live in a city, use tap water to give your baby fluoride.
Concentrated liquid can be mixed with water and needs to be refrigerated after opening.
Ready-to-use is the most expensive, but it can be handy for times when mixing would be difficult.

Choosing nipples and bottles

You'll find many varieties of bottles and nipples at stores. Experiment to find the combination that you and your baby like best. A regular nipple is easy for your baby to suck, but may sometimes allow milk to flow through so quickly that your baby can't keep up. To help, try tightening the plastic ring around the nipple to slow down the flow.

Silicone nipples are transparent and easy to keep clean. Latex nipples don't collapse easily if your baby sucks hard. Experiment with various kinds of nipples until you discover what works best for your baby.

Glass bottles are long lasting but may pose a hazard when your baby is older and strong enough to drop and shatter them. Plastic bottles are unbreakable.

Formula mixing and handling tips

Check the expiration dates on formula cans.
Wash the top of a new formula can before opening it.
Mix the formula according to the directions on the can. (Ready-to-use formulas do not need mixing.) Making the formula too thick or too thin can make your baby sick.
City water is fine for formula, but run the water for at least 2 minutes to flush the lead from the pipes before using it. If you have a well, used bottled water for 6 months.
To warm the formula, use a pan of warm water (set the bottle in it) or an electric bottle warmer.
Never heat a bottle in the microwave. The microwave destroys nutrients, overheats the formula, and causes hot spots that could burn your baby�€™s throat and esophagus.
Shake the bottle before feeding and test the temperature on your wrist. The formula should be warm, not hot.
Read and follow directions on keeping open, mixed and unused formula in the refrigerator. In general, throw away open, mixed and unused formula after 48 hours.
Throw away leftover formula in the bottle. Don't save it. It could make your baby sick. Do not let formula sit at room temperature for more than 30 minutes.

How to formula feed

Start with one-half ounce at each feeding and gradually increase as tolerated.
Shake the bottle and test the formula's temperature on your wrist before feeding. The formula should be warm, not hot.
Make sure your baby's tongue is under the nipple and that the nipple is placed back in the mouth.
Tip the bottle far enough for formula to fill the nipple and the neck of the bottle.
Burp your baby after one-half to 1 ounce of formula (halfway through the feeding for older babies). How often your baby needs to burp depends on how fast she drinks and how much air is swallowed.

How to burp your baby

To burp your baby, choose the way(s) pictured below that are most comfortable. For any of these positions gently rub or lightly tap your baby's back. Be sure to support her head and neck. And don't forget the burp rag!

Position No. 1: Sit with your baby upright on your lap.
Position 1:
Sit your baby upright on your lap.

Position No. 2: Put your baby against your shoulder.
Position 2:
Put your baby against your shoulder.

Position No. 3: Lay your baby flat across your lap.

Position 3:
Lay your baby flat across your lap.

Bottle and nipple cleaning tips

Wash the bottles and nipples in hot soapy water.
Make sure the nipple holes are cleaned well. (Replace nipples when they become soft, sticky, tacky or discolored.)
Rinse well with hot water.
Let the bottles and nipples air dry.
Do not store clean nipples and bottles in an air-tight container. Small amounts of milk could remain on them and cause mold.