If you've chosen to bottle-feed your baby, you're going to have to invest in some equipment and learn how to use. The following are some useful tips.
Choose glass bottles or a type of plastic that is less likely to leach chemicals into the feed.
Sculpted silicone teats (nipples) are a better option than latex. Silicone is completely odorless - latex isn't - and is more resistant when regularly sterilized. Also, 'anti-colic' teats are available. Ensure the teat is right for your baby's age. Most teats are labelled according to age. The flow will then be suitable for your baby. Test the flow by holding the bottle upside down - milk should drip out at a constant steady rate. If it drops too slowly, your baby will get tired before the feed is finished. If it pours out in a stream, the baby may dribble and splutter during the feed.
Adjust the flow rate, of the milk leaving the bottle, by tightening or loosening the cap. Loosen the cap a little if the teat flattens during feeding. Air bubbles should rise through the milk as the baby drinks. Repeated use and cleaning may distort the nipple hole and make it too big or small, and may change the consistency of the nipple material. That’s why manufacturers recommend that you examine the bottle nipples frequently and discard them at the first signs of wear.
Wash bottles in warm soapy water. Always use a bottle brush so ensure that the bottle is thoroughly cleaned. Use salt to clean the teats; make sure you rinse thoroughly.
Use a steam sterilizer after you've washed the bottles. A sterilizer is chemical free. If you don't have, or can't afford a sterilizer, boil equipment for 15 minutes in a covered pan. Always wash your hands before touching sterile equipment. Drain sterilized equipment on kitchen paper. Never use a kitchen towel or draining board for this purpose.
Warm bottles just before use by standing in hot water. Never carry a pre-warmed bottle when going out. Test the temperature of the milk by putting a few drops on your wrist.
Always use the scoop provided in the artificial formula tin. A scoop from another brand of formula may be larger or smaller.
It's best to warm bottles by standing them in a container of hot (not boiling) water. You should never use a microwave to heat bottles. Microwave ovens heat bottles unevenly and the ‘hotspots’ could seriously burn your baby.
It is a good idea to store spare sterile teats in a jar, so that you can use them in an emergency.
Buy the larger size baby bottles; your baby will soon out grow the smaller ones.
Never use mineral water for preparing feeds.
Never, ever leave a baby with a propped bottle. Choking is a serious danger and, after teething, your baby is at risk of 'baby bottle tooth decay'. Most importantly, your baby also needs your closeness and cuddling during these all-important first months.
Robin O'Brien is founder of a website dedicated to baby bottle feeding. It gives advice on overcoming bottle feeding problems and on what baby formula to use.
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