The wide variety of milk formulas and information on bottle feeding ensures that your baby will be well fed. Milk formulas are available in many varieties from hypo-allergenic, lactose-free, cow’s milk protein-free, anti-reflux, soya bean protein feeds and many more.

Cleaning and sterilizing feeding bottles:
It is important to sterilize your baby’s bottle after each feed to prevent a built- up of bacteria from the milk of the previous feed. Rinse and then wash the bottle and teat separately using a brush to remove milk residue. The teat should be turned inside out and rinsed again to ensure the hole of the teat is not blocked. The bottle should be sterilized using one of the following methods:
*Boiling: boil the bottle and teat for 10 minutes
*Steam sterilizer: This method uses an electric sterilizer that produces steam to sterilize the feeding equipment. It takes approximately 10 minutes
*Sterilizing fluid and tablets: The feeding bottle and teat are placed in water containing sterilizing fluid or tablets for 30 minutes.

Preparation of a bottle feed
*Use cooled boiled water and the measured amount of formula into a sterilized feeding bottle. It is important to follow the manufacture’s instructions to give your baby optimum nutrition.
*Fasten the teat and place the lid on the mouth of the bottle. Shake thoroughly until the powder has completely dissolved.
*Bottles can be made up in batches and kept at the back of the fridge until needed. *Bottle feeds that are not used within 24 hours should be discarded.
*Babies under 1 year should not be fed with cow’s milk as it contains too little iron and vitamins. Cow’s milk is difficult to digest as it is high in protein and sodium

Feeding techniques:
*Baby’s milk needs to be warmed if it was kept in the fridge. The temperature of the milk should not be too hot as the baby’s mouth is sensitive to high temperatures. It is best to keep the milk at room temperature.
*To check the temperature of the milk test a few drops at the back of your wrist
*Tilt your baby in your arms to prevent gagging of the milk.
*Ensure the bottle is tilted so that milk covers the teat and baby does not draw in air.
*Do not leave baby unattended with the bottle propped in the mouth as this could cause him/her to choke. This also causes the teeth to decay and form cavities.
*Do not force your baby to finish her feed when she/he has had enough.
*Allow a maximum of 40 minutes per feed. The baby may need a break half-way through for a minute or two to catch his/her breathe before starting again.
*If you are able to hear the baby gulping the milk it is likely the baby is drinking to fast. This will result in discomfort and tummy cramps caused by wind. Adjust the flow of milk by selecting a smaller teat or adjust the angle of the bottle.
*After each feed your baby needs to be wind. The baby should be placed over your shoulder or on your lap and gently tapped on the back to release swallowed air.

How many feeds should a baby have?
The baby should be offered a feed whenever she/he seems hungry. Formula feed babies stay fuller for a longer period of time then breastfed babies. Bottle fed babies need a feed approximately every 3-4 hours.