If you bottle feed your baby you may need as many as 10-12 bottles to start off with. Some may be in the steriliser, some may be in the fridge or freezer and some may get left on the bus! Smaller 150ml bottles are ideal for first feeds or drinks of cooled boiled water.
Whatever your tally, there are some do's and don'ts to remember to help you get the best out of your bottles.
1. Don't use bottles that are badly worn or scuffed or scratched
Whatever your tally, there are some do's and don'ts to remember to help you get the best out of your bottles.
1. Don't use bottles that are badly worn or scuffed or scratched
2. Inspect bottles and teats before and after each feed for signs of wear and tear.
3. Always wash the bottles you have used in warm soapy water before sterilising, using your bottle and teat brush (there is no need to sterilise the brush itself), then rinse.
4. Don't put boiling water straight from the kettle into your bottles. Allow it to cool for approximately 30 minutes.
4. Don't put boiling water straight from the kettle into your bottles. Allow it to cool for approximately 30 minutes.
5 Follow the instructions from the manufacturers of the infant formula you use, making sure you level each scoop of formula.
6. Discard any unused milk after baby has had his feed
7. Buy new bottles for each new baby
8. Health guidelines recommend you make up bottles one at a time. It may be easier to store the cooled, boiled water sealed in the bottles and then add the formula at feeding time.
9. If storing bottles in the fridge, don't use the door compartments as the temperature changes every time you open the door.
10. A carton of ready-to-feed formula is a useful standby in your cupboard or changing bag.
11. Don't heat bottles in a microwave. It can lead to hot spots and destroy nutrients in your formula milk.
12. Never thaw breast milk in a microwave. Allow it to defrost at room temperature.
Bottle feeds should be made up with water that is 70°C or more. Boil the kettle, then leave it for half an hour to cool before making up the feed.
Make up each feed as it is needed. Warm milk is a breeding ground for bacteria so making up bottles in advance is no longer advised. While it is not easy to anticipate when a baby is going to wake up (and therefore when to boil the kettle and let the water cool) it may be easier to put a measured amount of formula aside in a sealed container (Tommee Tippee Milk Powder Dispensers are ideal) and have a flask of cooled boiled water ready to make up the feed. You can re heat the cooled boiled water and then add the formula prior to feeding. You should only mix the formula once you are happy the water is at the correct temperature as this minimises the amount of time within which bacteria can grow.
Once you have made up the feed you must cool it to the right temperature for the baby. When tested on the inside of the wrist it should feel neither warm nor cold on your skin. Babies enjoy their feeds at room temperature, which may seem just lukewarm to you but is just right for the baby.
Whatever you do …
1. Sterilise all feeding equipment.
2. Clean the surface on which you are making up the bottles.
3. Wash the hands thoroughly.
4. Follow all the instructions on the tin and don't use more or less powder than it says as your baby could become ill.
5. Throw away used formula and never re-heat or re-use it.
Make up each feed as it is needed. Warm milk is a breeding ground for bacteria so making up bottles in advance is no longer advised. While it is not easy to anticipate when a baby is going to wake up (and therefore when to boil the kettle and let the water cool) it may be easier to put a measured amount of formula aside in a sealed container (Tommee Tippee Milk Powder Dispensers are ideal) and have a flask of cooled boiled water ready to make up the feed. You can re heat the cooled boiled water and then add the formula prior to feeding. You should only mix the formula once you are happy the water is at the correct temperature as this minimises the amount of time within which bacteria can grow.
Once you have made up the feed you must cool it to the right temperature for the baby. When tested on the inside of the wrist it should feel neither warm nor cold on your skin. Babies enjoy their feeds at room temperature, which may seem just lukewarm to you but is just right for the baby.
Whatever you do …
1. Sterilise all feeding equipment.
2. Clean the surface on which you are making up the bottles.
3. Wash the hands thoroughly.
4. Follow all the instructions on the tin and don't use more or less powder than it says as your baby could become ill.
5. Throw away used formula and never re-heat or re-use it.
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