Bottle feeding correctly

There’s a technique to bottlefeeding too, so follow our step-by-step guide to get it right…

1. Get comfortable

This means both of you, so make sure your baby has a clean diaper on and choose a comfortable place to sit, preferably with your back supported by cushions. Have a cloth to hand, to catch any spit up.

2. Get your baby into a good position

If you’re bottlefeeding your baby’s position isn’t as crucial as it is for breastfeeding, but you’ll still want him to be comfortable and content while he feeds. Hold him so his head is in the crook of your elbow and he’s in a slightly raised position. Stroke his cheek with the bottle nipple and gently slip it in his mouth when he opens up.

3. Avoid air bubbles

Hold the bottle at an angle so that the nipple is constantly full of milk – you’ll have to adjust the angle as the milk is drunk. This helps prevent your baby sucking in air, which can increase wind.

4. Wind him

At the end of the feed, or possibly earlier if he seems uncomfortable, you should wind your baby thoroughly so he can fall asleep without being in any discomfort.

5. Experiment with bottles and nipples

If your bottlefed baby is regularly suffering from wind, you may want to experiment with using slower-flowing nipples on his bottle, or different shapes and styles of feeding bottle. Make sure that you feed your baby in an upright or near-upright position, as this will help any air bubbles to come up naturally. Keep in mind that as he grows bigger and stronger he’ll need a faster-flow nipple or he’ll likely get frustrated during his feeds.

6. Feed safely

Never prop your baby’s bottle up so she can feed by herself – she could choke.

If you have any questions about bottlefeeding, you can talk with other moms in the feeding and food area of our chat forum, or you could ask a question in our answers section. Don't forget, you can upload your favorite photo of your baby into one of our galleries, such as I love my baby or even monsters!

The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.