Baby Think

Baby Think

Bottle Feeding Tips For Babies

There's more to bottle feeding than you may realize. Get the inside scoop here.

1. Change your baby's diaper before the feeding. This helps wake your baby for the feeding and allows for undisturbed sleep after the feeding.

2. Prepare your baby's daily amount of formula ahead of time. You can:

Mix the desired amount of formula beforehand and put it the fridge. Then when you are ready to use the milk, place it in a bowl of warm water to take the chill off. Prepared powder formula may be kept in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours after mixed.

Pre-measure both the powder and water in separate containers (a sealed container for the powder and a baby bottle for the water). Make enough for the day/night. Then, when you are ready to feed your baby, mix the two together. This eliminates the need to warm the milk.

3. Use boiled water or bottled water when mixing your baby's formula. When using boiled water, allow for the water to come back to room temperature before mixing with the formula.

4. Never warm formula in the microwave. This can cause the milk to be very hot in some areas. Always warm milk by placing the bottle in a bowl or cup of warm water. Be sure to test the milk on the inner aspect of your wrist to ensure temperature safety. Perfect formula temperature is when you are unable to feel hot or cold.

5. Discard any unused milk one hour after the feeding. Bacteria from your baby's saliva begin to rapidly multiply when left at room temperature.

6. Make sure to burp your baby frequently during feedings.

If your baby does not spit up frequently, wait until your baby stops sucking from the bottle and then burp your baby. The gas bubbles make your baby think that he/she is full and will cause them to stop drinking the milk.

Read More: Bottle Feeding Tips for Baby

About the Author

Babies 411 is an on-line information and resource center for parents. This site has been developed by a neonatal intensive care nurse with the sole purpose of promoting the health, safety, and well-being of all babies.

Do you think the cutesy term the media uses "baby bump" encourages teenage pregnancy?

I think the media glamorizes pregnancy with this cutesy term. They splash pictures of unmarried pregnant celebrities all over magazine covers and news articles displaying their cute "baby bump". I think it makes their pregnancy seem like a cute accessory. Where are all of the articles about the CARE of the little ones. Wasn't Britney cute with her "baby bumps"? Now look at those poor children. No wonder teenage pregnancy is on the rise.

hasn't it always been 'baby bump?' I was looking at some old photos with my Nan before she passed away and she was using the expression baby bump when talking about relatives from forty years ago.

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