How to Bottle-feed an Infant

Decision Time

Feeding a baby is not quite the simple task an experienced parent makes it appear. As a new parent, you may find the process a little intimidating. Before your baby arrives, you will want to make a few decisions.

How do you intend to feed the baby? Will you nurse the baby on breast milk? Will you pump your breast milk and feed the baby from a bottle? Will you feed the baby on formula? Or will you use a combination of these methods? You will want to make a choice that best fits your lifestyle.

If you choose to bottle feed, you will need to choose a bottle and a nipple. There are many different kinds available. Try a few different ones until you find out what type works best for your baby.

If you choose formula, you may have try different kinds as well. Some babies are allergic to certain ingredients. Decide whether you want to try the baby on a milk-based, soy-based, or a specialty formula, such as a lactose-free kind.

Now What?

You've read the books and articles by all the experts, made the decision to feed your baby formula, and bought all the tools.

Start with a clean, sterile bottle
Add formula. A newborn may only want ½ to 1 ½ ounces for each feeding. Dump leftover formula or store in refrigerator until the next feeding. An older infant may want 4 ounces or more. For powdered formulas, this equals two scoops.
Add water. It should be lukewarm and chlorine-free.
Screw on the ring with the rubber nipple.
Shake until formula is dissolved. It helps to cover the hole in the nipple to avoid spraying formula all over.
Test the temperature on a sensitive area of your skin. The inside of the wrist is a popular and easy place. Remember that baby is more sensitive to temperature. You don't want to burn a little mouth.

Feeding

You've got the formula ready. Now you have to get the formula into the baby.
Position the baby in a reclined position, supporting the back of the head and neck.
Insert the nipple into the baby's mouth. If the baby's mouth is not open already, try stroking the nipple against his cheek. This activates the rooting reflex, which causes the baby to open his mouth in search of food (Jana & Shu, 2005, pg 17).
Hold the bottle at an angle so that the nipple is completely filled with formula. As the bottle empties, you may find yourself holding the bottle nearly upright. This helps prevent the baby from sucking in too much air as he drinks.

Burping

Some babies suck in a lot of air while they drink, or even while they are crying for food. Burping helps the air come out so it doesn't hurt a tiny stomach.

Position the baby. The traditional position is to hold the baby facing your chest, with his head on your shoulder. You may also choose to place the baby face down on your lap, or sitting upright on your lap. However you choose to hold the baby, be sure to support the head and neck. It's also a good idea to place a burp cloth under the baby's mouth, to catch any spit-up.
Pat or rub the baby's back. This motion should be somewhere between a clap and a gentle touch.
Not all infants need to be burped after every feeding. If yours doesn't burp within the first couple of minutes, don't panic. If he doesn't seem to be in pain, then he may not have swallowed enough air to need to burp.

For More Help

The good news is that caring for an infant becomes easier with experience. Since bottle-fed infants generally eat every three to four hours, you will quickly become an expert. You will be able to grab a clean bottle, measure the formula, add water, put on the top, and shake until the formula dissolves, all while holding a hungry baby in the other arm. You won't have to think about the best way to hold the baby while feeding or burping her.

Remember that every baby is different, with different needs and preferences. Every mother has her own ideas about the best way to care for her child. Be prepared to try different types of formulas, and different nipple/bottle combinations until you find one that works best for your baby.

If you need additional help, there are numerous resources available.

Ask an experienced mom or grandma. Most women love babies, and love to help other women with their babies. If your own mother isn't around to help get you started, ask a neighbor or a friend to help you out until you're more sure of yourself.
Ask your pediatrician. If you're worried about whether you're doing all the right things, your doctor is the perfect expert to consult.
Check out your local library or bookstore. There are many books written by mothers, doctors, and mothers who are themselves doctors. These can help you with many of the day-to-day questions you may have about caring for your infant. However, if you're worried or think there's something wrong, consult your pediatrician.

References

Jana, L., and Shu, J. (2005). Heading home with your newborn: From birth to reality. USA: American Academy of Pediatrics.

Letters: Don't forget to breast-feed. (2010, January 5). The Jakarta Post, pg 8. Retrieved March 1, 2010, from ProQuest Newsstand. (Document ID: 1933431431).