How to Bottle Feed a Newborn

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By Cherie Brunetti
eHow Contributing Writer

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(2 Ratings)

Follow these tips for safe bottle feeding

When it comes to feeding your newborn, you have many options. If you decide to bottle feed your baby, the types and brands of formula are quite varied. Baby formula mixes are incredibly easy to use. You can choose a read-to-pour formula, a concentrated liquid formula, or a formula in powder form. Formula feeding has never been safer when you follow the tips and precautions here.

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Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Formula
Bottles

Step 1

Always wash your hands well before preparing a bottle of formula and feeding your baby.
Step 2

Check the expiration date on the formula. Never use formula that is past its expiration date.
Step 3

Use a clean can opener to open cans of liquid formula. Wash the can opener after every use. Be sure that single serving bottles and cans of powered formula are tighly and correctly sealed before you open them.
Step 4

Use bottled water if you are concerned about the safety of your tap water. Be sure that the bottled water you use is not distilled.
Step 5

Do not worry about sterilizing bottles and nipples in boiling water. Washing the bottles in the dishwasher (if they are dishwasher safe) or in the sink in warm, soapy water is sufficient to get them clean. Nipples can also be washed well in a sink full of soapy warm water.
Step 6

Follow the directions exactly when mixing the formula. Check to see if liquid formula needs to be diluted.
Step 7

Dispose of any formula that is left over after each feeding. This formula should never be reused due to the threat of bacteria growth.

Tips & Warnings

If you use well water or are concerned about your water supply, you can have it tested and, if necessary, purified.
You may want to sterilize the bottles before you use them for the first time. Simply submerge them into a pot of boiling water.
There is no health or medical reason to warm the formula before feeding. This is simply a matter of you baby's preference. If you can get your baby used to a room temperature bottle or even bottles from the refridgerator, there is no reason to warm them.
Washing bottles after each use makes for easier cleaning.
Do not buy cans of formula that are dented, leaking, or otherwise damaged.
A formula that is mixed too weak will not promote proper growth.
A formula that is mixed too strong can lead to dehydration.