Bottle Feeding Your Baby

Formula milk is processed powdered cow’s milk which has been treated to make it suitable for babies. There are regulations in the UK to make sure that all of the formula milks readily available in this country have the basic ingredients your baby needs.

There are several brands of infant formula with different company names. There is no evidence that one company’s milk is better for your baby than any other.

It is recommended that babies be given first stage formula milk, which is whey based (more easily digested) and that this milk can be used until baby is 12 months old.

There is no need to switch to second-stage or follow-on formula.

Ordinary pasteurised cow’s milk should not be given until baby is a year old although can be used in cooking from six months.

First stage infant formula milk is available in both powdered and ready to feed formats.

It is extremely important to follow recommended guidance in terms of sterilising infant feeding equipment and also preparing the feeds. Babies can become unwell if feeds are made incorrectly or by using equipment that has not been sterilised.

Please click on the links below for further information on infant formula milks and preparation of feeds.

Young babies need to be close to their mother to help them feel safe and secure.  Skin to skin contact is something you will both enjoy and your baby will also like to be held close during feeding.

• Watch out for the signs babies show when they are hungry eg sucking/fingers in the mouth, salivating, tongue movements and crying
• Invite baby to draw the teat into the mouth rather than forcing the teat into the mouth
• Pace the feed so that baby is not forced to feed more than they want to
• Remove the teat at frequent intervals to enable him to have a rest and decide if he wants to stop or take more
• Forcing babies to take a bit more milk so that they will go longer between feeds can lead to overfeeding
• Particularly in the early days, it will help your baby recognise parents more easily if you are giving the majority of feeds