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Bottle Feeding 101: Everything You Need to Know

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Bottle Feeding 101: Everything You Need to Know Need some tips and guidelines on bottle feeding your baby? Whether you plan on breastfeeding or formula-feeding, your baby will probably need a bottle at some point, even if it's just so Mom can have some "me time," or so Dad can take over night duty. Here's a helpful breakdown of bottle feeding from start to finish.

What kind of bottles should I use? Let's talk equipment. You'll find hundreds of baby bottles to choose from, so which kind is best for your baby? For a newborn, you'll need at least six 4-ounce bottles, and as your baby grows, you'll need to switch to 8-ounce bottles.

Most baby bottles are made of plastic or glass. Plastic bottles are lightweight and dishwasher-safe. If you're concerned about bisphenol A (BPA) in your baby bottles, note that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) completely banned BPA from all baby bottles and sippy cups in 2012, so new bottles should not contain the controversial chemical. Still, be sure not to use plastic bottles marked with a 7 or "PC." Plastic bottles should be replaced regularly because scratches can harbor bacteria. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) advises against using soft plastic liners in your bottles, as they may leach chemicals into formula and breast milk, especially when heated.

Glass bottles are coming back into fashion, largely due to parents' concerns about the potential effects of chemicals in plastics beyond BPA. Glass baby bottles are heavier and more breakable than plastic but don't need replacing as long as they are not broken or chipped. Some glass baby bottle manufacturers are coming out with silicon sleeves that make them more resistant to dropping and breaking. In addition to being dishwasher-safe, most glass bottles are also freezer-safe, making them a good choice for women who are pumping and storing breast milk. Just check to see if your bottles are compatible to connect with your breast pump, or use stick-shaped freezer trays to store your breast milk in a form that easily drops into a bottle.

Most bottle nipples are made of latex or silicon. Latex nipples are golden brown and softer and more flexible. Silicon nipples are clear and more firm and durable, lasting up to four times longer than latex ones. Silicon nipples are heat-resistant and dishwasher safe. The EWG recommends using clear silicon nipples rather than latex rubber ones because latex may cause allergies and contain impurities linked to cancer.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that while many bottle manufacturers claim their products prevent colic, reduce gas, or replicate the human breast, there's no scientific proof. So go with your gut (and your baby's) to see what kind of bottle and nipple works for you.

How do I prepare a bottle?Be sure to sterilize your baby's bottles and nipples before the first use. Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil, submerge the bottles and nipples for five minutes, then remove them and allow them to cool completely. Try to remember to wash your hands before preparing your baby's bottle, especially if you have a newborn.

When preparing your bottle with powdered formula, add room temperature water to your bottle first and then the formula, following the ratio guide on the formula container (usually, 1 scoop of formula for every 2 ounces of water). Secure the nipple and bottle ring, cover the nipple with your thumb, and shake it well to mix it and prevent clumps. Watch this video on bottle-feeding for a demonstration and more tips on preparation.

Never heat up a bottle of formula or breast milk in the microwave because this can cause "hot spots" or pockets of intense heat that can burn your baby's mouth. Bottles of infant formula do not need to be heated at all; just use room temperature water. If your baby develops a preference for a warm bottle of formula, or if you need to thaw or heat up frozen or refrigerated breast milk, swirl the bottle of it around in a pot of hot water. Test a drop of the formula or breast milk on the back side of your hand to make sure the temperature is right for your baby and make sure the bottle itself isn't hot to the touch.

Talk with your doctor about the best kind of formula for your baby. Be sure to use iron-fortified formula for your baby's first year to promote healthy brain development. The EWG also advises using powdered formula, which is low-risk for BPA contamination from the packaging, versus liquid formula which is sold in a can and carries a higher risk. Infant formula can be pricy, costing between $15 and $30 per container, which is one reason many moms choose to breastfeed.

What's the shelf life of a prepared bottle?Bottles of formula and breast milk have a shelf life. Refrigerated breast milk is good for up to eight days if collected and stored properly, according to La Leche League International. Frozen breast milk that has been thawed should be used within 24 hours. Room temperature breast milk should be used or refrigerated/frozen within four to six hours or else discarded (oh no!). Frozen breast milk is good for six to 12 months. Watch this short video on storing and thawing breast milk.

Bottles made with powdered formula and kept at room temperature should be used within one hour of being mixed. You can prepare bottles of formula in advance and chill them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. After that, they should be discarded. Do not keep the leftovers from a bottle of formula that your baby didn't finish. Also, check the expiration date on your formula container, and use the container within a month of opening it.

How should I position my baby?When it comes to preventing colic, spit-up, and gas, the positioning of your baby and the bottle during feedings is more important than your choice of bottle or nipple, according to the AAP. When it's feeding time, hold your baby with her head supported in the fold of your elbow. She should be in a semi-upright position, about a 45-degree angle so that her head and tummy are noticeably a bit elevated. Placing a pillow under your arm can help you prop her up.

The angle of the bottle is also important: Hold it so that the nipple area is always full of breast milk or formula so that your baby is not swallowing air. During your baby's first few months of life, she'll need to be burped at least once mid-bottle. Babies should always be burped after a bottle is finished to promote better digestion.

Don't feed your baby while she's lying down because this increases the risk of choking and milk running into the tubes in her ears, causing inner ear infections. Never put your baby to bed with a bottle because it contributes to tooth decay and can also be a choking risk.

How much and how often should I feed my baby?Here's the big question: Is my baby eating enough, too much, or too little? During your newborn's first few months, she will need frequent feedings — every two to three hours.

Your baby will most likely go from taking 1 to 3 ounces of formula or breast milk at a time during her first few days of life to taking 6 to 8 ounces per feeding by age six months. Here's a rough guide to how much and how often to formula feed.

Every baby is different and experiences growth spurts and lulls — and therefore slight variations in hunger levels — at different points in the first six months. But, in general, you should see a gradual progression in the amount your baby eats and the time she can go between feedings. When your baby hits about 12 pounds (usually between 2 and 4 months of age), she should be able to take enough food that she finally sleeps longer through the night (phew!). Your baby's pediatrician will assess her growth at each exam and offer guidance on feedings and sleep patterns if you have any questions or concerns.

The AAP notes that it's rare for a baby to need more than 7 or 8 ounces per feeding or 36 ounces per day, so if your baby seems to be looking for more after sucking down a 7-ounce meal, talk with your pediatrician. Some babies are just sucking for comfort, so it might be wise to switch to a pacifier. Overfeeding puts babies at risk for obesity and frequent spit-up.

When should we stop using bottles?The AAP advises starting to slowly introduce some solid foods to your baby around six months of age. Bottle feeding or breastfeeding is still the most important source of nutrition during months 6 to 12 of your baby's life, but the goal is to gradually transition him from bottle feedings to using a sippy cup and eating solid foods by about his first birthday.

Pediatricians also recommend transitioning formula-fed babies from formula to cow's milk at age 1. Because formula is more calorie-rich than cow's milk, making the switch at this time may help prevent childhood obesity down the road. If your baby is 1 year to 18 months old and still drinking formula and/or drinking from a bottle, talk with your pediatrician about tips for transitioning to a cup and to cow's milk.

Babies can continue to have breast milk beyond age 1 (for as long as the mother and baby both like), but should learn to drink from a sippy cup. Cow's milk and solid foods should still become a part your breast milk–fed baby's diet. Watch this quick video with tips on starting your fussy baby on solid foods.