Go-To Guide to Bottle Preparation
Bottle Preparation Made Easy: Your Go-To Guide
Starting your baby on a bottle can feel overwhelming, whether you’re concerned about them adjusting to the new feeding routine or unsure about how to properly sterilise bottles. Learning how to prepare milk safely is essential for your baby’s health and your peace of mind.
It also allows you to focus on the joy of bonding with your little one. Remember, bottle feeding can be just as nurturing and intimate as breastfeeding, offering precious moments of closeness that strengthen your bond.
Choosing the Right Teat
The right teat size depends on your baby’s age and feeding needs. Every baby is different so it is important to follow their lead when it comes to understanding when to switch teats. Newborns need the smallest sized teat with the slowest flow to match their developing sucking skills. As they grow, you can gradually switch to teats with a larger hole and faster flows to accommodate their increased appetite and stronger sucking.
If your baby becomes tired, bored, or frustrated when feeding then it may be time to move up to a faster flow teat. We also recommend changing your teats every 1-2 months.
Making Up a Bottle
Whether you are breastfeeding or using formula, preparing a bottle for your baby requires just a few simple steps.
Clean and Sterilise
It’s important you clean and sterilise your bottles before each use.
Step 1: Follow the instructions for cleaning and sterilising your bottles
Step 2: Always allow sterilised bottles to cool for 10 minutes before screwing components back together.
Preparing a Breast Milk Bottle
You can prepare a bottle with previously expressed breast milk using the same steps as above.
You can use the milk straight from the fridge if your baby doesn’t mind it cold, but if you need to warm it, simply use a bottle warmer, a jug of hot water, or hold it under the hot water tap. Never heat or cool a sealed bottle – always remove the lid, teat, and collar as a whole. It is not recommended to heat milk in the microwave, as it may cause hot spots.
If you are using frozen breast milk, it is best to let it defrost in the fridge overnight. If you need to use it sooner, you can follow the same steps as you would use for warming milk, but it will take a little longer. Refer to the NHS website for guidelines on how long you can keep/store milk.
Preparing a Formula Bottle
Follow these steps to prepare a bottle of formula for your little one:
Step 1: Boil 1 litre of fresh tap water that hasn’t been previously boiled
Step 2: Leave to cool for at least 20 minutes (up to 30 minutes) until it has reached 70 degrees celsius
Step 3: Add the required amount of water and formula, according to the instructions on your formula packaging
Step 4: Gently shake the bottle, facing away from you, to ensure the formula is properly mixed
How to prepare a formula bottle
Dos and Don’ts of Bottle Preparation
DO always read the instructions on your bottle’s packaging and formula packaging
DO always wash baby’s bottle before each use
DO NOT pour boiling water into a bottle as it can damage the bottle and destroy the nutrients in the formula.
DO NOT hold your baby while you prepare a bottle