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Bottle Feeding your Baby

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 6, 2024.

What are the choices for feeding my baby with a bottle?

You can feed your baby breast milk, formula, or both from a bottle. You can pump the milk from your breasts and put it in a bottle. You can also give your baby mostly breast milk through a bottle and give formula only when needed.

What should I know about breast milk?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) encourages breast milk as the only source of nutrition for your baby during his or her first 6 months. They do not recommend that you add other foods to your baby's diet until he or she is 6 months old. They encourage you to give your baby breast milk until he or she is at least 1 year old.

What are the 3 basic kinds of formula?

Baby formula has all the nutrients your baby needs to grow. Ask your baby's pediatrician which formula is best for him or her.

How is formula supplied?

Do I need to warm the formula or breast milk for my baby?

What kind of bottles should I use?

What kind of nipples should I use?

How much formula or breast milk should I give my baby?

How often do I feed my baby and how long should each feeding take?

Feed your baby on demand. This means feed your baby every time he or she seems hungry. He or she may be more alert, make sounds with his or her lips, move around more, or stick out his or her tongue. He or she may also place his or her fist in his or her mouth and suck on it. Crying is a late sign of hunger. Your baby should eat on demand about every 2 to 3 hours or 8 to 12 times a day. Each feeding should take about 20 minutes. Feedings may take longer if your baby has a medical problem or has trouble sucking or swallowing.

How do I hold my baby during feedings?

Feeding time is a special time for you and your baby to enjoy and get to know each other. It should be a time for you to relax and to show love to your baby. Talk, smile, touch, or sing to your baby while you feed him or her.

How do I burp my baby?

How do I know if my baby is getting enough formula or breast milk?

Your baby will show you signs that he or she is full. He or she may turn his or her head away from the bottle or close his or her mouth. He or she may fall asleep, or his or her face, arms, and hands may look relaxed. He or she should seem calm and satisfied after a feeding. The following can also help you know your baby is getting enough breast milk or formula:

What are signs that my baby may be allergic to formula?

Should I give my baby anything else to drink?

Your baby does not need any other liquids besides formula or breast milk for the first 12 months. Formula and breast milk have the right amount of nutrients that your baby needs and are easy for him or her to digest. Do not give your baby other types of milk, such as cow's milk, goat's milk, or soy milk, until he or she is at least 1 year old. It does not provide the nutrients he or she needs and is hard for him or her to digest. It may also cause him or her to develop allergies or other health problems. Your baby does not need juice or extra water during the first 12 months of life. Your baby is getting all the water he or she needs from his or her breast milk or formula.

Does my baby need extra vitamins or minerals?

Some babies may need vitamin D, iron, fluoride, or other vitamins and minerals. Ask your baby's pediatrician if he or she needs any extra vitamins or minerals.

When should I contact my baby's pediatrician?

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your baby's care. To help with this plan, you must learn about feeding your baby. You can then discuss choices with your baby's healthcare providers. Work with them to decide what choices are best for your baby.The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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Further information

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