Heinz - Tinytums

Bottle-Feeding

'How long can I keep a bottle of formula milk?’
Current advice from the Department of Health is to prepare each new feed as you need it and always throw away any not used after a feed. It is important not to re-heat or re-use unfinished feeds.

If you need to prepare a day’s feed in advance, then make sure you cool the feeds quickly and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours until they’re needed. Warm the bottle by standing it in a bowl of hot water and do not use a microwave oven. Throw away any milk not used within an hour of heating.

‘How much should I bottle-feed my baby?’
At first your newborn may not take much more than 2fl oz (60ml) of milk at each feed. But as your baby grows, they’ll want more. Check the formula pack to see a guide for the typical amounts needed at different ages. If your little one is draining the bottle at every feed, then increase the amount of milk by one fluid ounce (30ml) at a time. Take things gradually – and take your cue from your little one’s appetite.

‘How often should I bottle-feed my baby?’
Within a few weeks, your new baby will probably be enjoying about six feeds a day – roughly one every four hours. Don’t insist on a rigid routine; the most important thing is to be in tune with their needs.

‘Why is my baby sometimes sick after a feed?’
Many babies bring up a little milk after a feed. It could be because they have drunk more than they can cope with, or because milk and air have got mixed in their tummy during feeding. Try sitting your baby up a little more during feeding and make sure the teat is kept full of milk for the whole feed. Gentle winding during and after feeding should help too. But if your baby regularly vomits their feeds, you should talk to your GP at once.

‘Should I wind after every feed?'                                                                    Winding helps to let out air that might get trapped in your baby's stomach when they feed. But it’s not compulsory as some babies are more 'windy' than others. You only need to wind if you think trapped air is making them uncomfortable.  Click here to read our section on winding technique.