Bottle feeding can be useful to all parents whether they chose to breast or formula feed their baby. It allows feeding to be done by more than just the mother, and more comfortably publicly in the case of breast feeding, can be used when transitioning to cow’s milk, and can offer the alternative for parents to formula feed or supplement other feeding methods in the case of personal or medical need.

Bottle feeding a baby is not a difficult process however like most methods of caring for infants there are tricks, tips and facts every parent should know to make the process easier. Improper bottle feeding can lead to discomfort in your baby and even sickness if the bottles are prepared incorrectly or the baby is positioned badly during feeding. Proper preparation and sanitation are essential to a healthy baby when choosing to bottle feed.http://www.thedoctorwillseeyounow.com/content/art2111.htmlhttp://www.cks.nhs.uk/patient_information_leaflet/bottle_feeding

This simple step by step guide on how to bottle feed will walk you through the entire process from choosing a bottle and preparing it for use to filling and safely using it while answering your questions along the way and offering helpful tips and tricks.

One of the first steps in bottle feeding a baby is to know when and how much to feed.

When to Feed a Baby:
Most pediatricians agree that demand feeding is the best way to decide when to feed a baby. Demand feeding, also sometimes called cue feeding, means you feed the baby when it is hungry for as long as it wishes to eat. http://www.llli.org/ba/May99.html

To know when to bottle feed your baby watch for cues in its behavior that indicate hunger such as:

• -Moves head side to side as if looking for something.
• -Turns towards breast or in the direction of its cheek when touched.
• -Sucks on hands, arms, etc.
• -Opening the mouth repeatedly and possibly sticking out tongue.
• -Puckering lips or making sucking motions.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_94103.html

Feedings should, regardless of sleep not be stretched more than 5-6 hours in formula fed babies and 3-4 hours in breast milk fed babies. http://www.stronghealth.com/services/womenshealth/maternity/Whentofeed.cfm

How much to feed a baby:

How much is also dependent on the baby’s needs. Every baby will have different feeding needs. Many things may alter this amount including but not limited to age, what you are feeding the baby, the baby’s size, and appetite. The typical newborn infant eats 2-3 ounces every feeding which is generally every 2-3 hours.

You should feed your baby as instructed above in, "when to feed a baby" for as long as the baby shows interest in the food. When the baby is full it will lose interest in the bottle, stop sucking, or pull away and turn its head from the bottle.

As long as your baby is showing healthy weight gain for its age and wetting at least one diaper every three hours or three diapers every twenty four hours, it is getting enough to eat. http://www.babycenter.com/404_how-do-i-know-if-my-baby-is-getting-enough-formula_9137.bc

The bottle used to feed a baby can have a large effect on how the experience goes. When first beginning bottle feeding you may want to buy a few different types of bottles and experiment before buying a few of one kind. Generally, your baby will have more say in which bottle you chose than you do.

A typical bottle consists of two parts which you can choose, the base and the nipple.

Bottle Bases:

Baby bottle bases come in too main materials, glass and plastic. The form of the bottle itself however can vary greatly by brand. Over all you’ll see three main types in either material.

Straight bottles - This is your typical baby bottle. Straight bottles are said to be easiest for babies to hold.

Bent Bottles - These bottles have an angle to them rather than being straight. This kink in the bottle is meant to reduce the amount of air a baby ends up sucking in as the tilt keeps the milk always in the tip.

Disposable Liner Bottles - These bottles are in effect simply a shell which holds a plastic insert in which the milk is placed. The insert is disposed of after use.

Glass versus Plastic:
Plastic bottles are basically impossible for a baby to break and often slightly more lightweight and less expensive. However they do eventually begin to deteriorate and will need to be replaced. Plastic bottles that do not say “BPA free” may leak bisphenol-A into milk if boiled. A baby’s bottle should NEVER be brought to the boiling point. http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/media/questions/sya-bpa.cfm

Glass bottles will never need to be replaced unless broken, chipped or cracked. Some studies report they also retain more nutrients than plastic bottles. They are also more expensive and heavier than plastic bottles.

Bottle Nipples:

Bottle nipples typically come in three materials, plastic, silicone, and latex. Rubber and silicone nipples both are firmer and will last longer, while latex is softer, more malleable and may wear out a bit quicker.

In addition to material there are also varies nipple shapes, sizes and flow rates.

Nipple Shapes:

Traditional - A standard nipple.

Orthodontic - Produced by companies such as Nuk, these nipples are designed to fit the shape of your child’s palate.

Flat Tipped - These nipples are almost a cross between orthodontic and traditional. The tip of the nipple is simply flat or angled to mimic the shape of a human female’s nipple.

Nipple Sizes and Flow Rates:
Nipples come in varying sizes based on the bottle type. Typically wider nipples are better for breast fed babies or babies that are being switched between bottle and breast as the wider nipple is closer to the feel of a breast. Some babies prefer the narrower nipples anyway.

Flow rate is determined by age, though some baby’s drink faster than their age determined nipple. When buying a bottle it should indicate a flow rate and age range. Flow rate is determined by the size and number of holes in the nipple. http://www.babycenter.com/0_choosing-nipples-and-bottles_751.bc

Once you have your bottle it needs to be prepared for use and filled.

How to Sterilize a Bottle for Use
Once upon a time it was suggested that all nipples and bottles be sterilized. Today it is believed that a good hot washing with soap and water is sufficient. http://www.webmd.com/parenting/should-you-sterilize-your-babys-bottles

However, if you wish to sterilize this can be done by boiling water and placing the items in them for at least five minutes. There are also many bottle sterilizing systems out of the market today. As a mid-point many parents sterilize new bottles and nipples once before use. Be sure to let the items air dry before using if you chose to sterilize. http://www.babycenter.com/0_bottle-feeding-basics_752.bc

How to Heat the Milk
Formula can be made with warm water to heat, though this is not necessary. Most babies just prefer milk warm. If the formula has been refrigerated or you are serving pumped or stored breast milk you can heat it in a pan of warm water on the stove or simply by running hot water over it. Never use boiling water or actually heat the formula or breast milk in a pan on the stove. Do not microwave bottles as this may cause heat spots which can burn the baby. In cases other than cow’s milk, it also leads to a reduction in nutrients. Today there are also specialized bottle warmers you can buy to keep bottles toasty and ready. http://www.babycenter.com/0_bottle-feeding-basics_752.bc http://www.drugs.com/cg/bottle-feeding-your-baby.html

The final step is to actually feed the baby. A bottle should never be propped for a baby. Unattended bottle feeding can result in choking. The proper way to bottle feed a baby is to hold the baby while feeding. You can bottle feed a baby in any position that feels comfortable to you as long as the baby is not lying flat on its back. The baby should be at least at a forty-five degree angle to prevent milk from entering the delicate tubes of the inner ear which can cause ear infections. http://www.babycenter.com/0_bottle-feeding-basics_752.bc

Pay attention to the nipple of the bottle while feeding and be sure that it is always full of milk. A partially full nipple will cause the baby to swallow more air which leads to uncomfortable gas. You can remedy an empty nipple by increase the tilt in which you are holding the bottle.

Once your baby falls asleep and stops eating you should remove the bottle. Even if the baby is not actively feeding, a bottle should not be propped. On top of being a choking hazard sleeping with a bottle propped can cause tooth decay as the milk sits in the baby’s mouth. http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/pa/pa_bottleto_hhg.htm/ref