The decision of bottle feeding or breast feeding is a personal decision that only you can make. Some will swear that breast fed babies are healthier, happier, more intelligent and more confident than bottle-fed babies. Others will say it doesn’t matter as long as you nourish your baby and hold them close while feeding them from a bottle. If you are one that has decided to bottle-feed your baby, here are a few guidelines that will help.

1. Use breast milk, if possible. If it is not possible, use a good infant formula as recommended by your pediatrician. Do not give your baby water or other juices until after the baby is six months old.

2. Hold your baby during feeding time. Do not prop the bottle up on a pillow or other device. Not only can  your baby choke, the necessary bonding will not happen between you and your child.

3. Feed your baby as often as he or she demands. During the first 2 or 3 months this may be every 2 – 3 hours. Afterward, the baby may go as long as 6 – 8 hours between feedings. Let your baby decide when he wants to be fed and you will have a happier, healthier baby.

4. Have sufficient bottles and nipples on hand. You can go ahead and prepare the baby’s formula or breast mile in anticipation of the next demand for food. If you have the formula on hand it is much less stressful for  you and the baby

5. Get the full-size bottles instead of the small, short bottles. You will eventually need these and it will be a waste of money to get the small bottles.

6. Purchase nipple teats that are comfortable for sucking. Don’t skimp here – the baby’s health and well being is very important and the kind of teat used can determine how well they are able to digest their food. The nipple should be easy for the baby to suckle. If the baby cries while you’re feeding him, check the nipple. Are they getting enough formula?

7. Sterilize! It is very important that you sterilize the bottles, nipples and cap covers before each use until they are at least 6 months old. In the past the only method of sterilization was to put the bottles and nipples in a pot and boil them – and that method still works. However, nowadays you can also find sterilizers that work in the microwave or electronically so there is no excuse not to sterilize. Be sure to wash the bottles and nipples in hot soapy water prior to sterilizing.

8. Be sure to follow the directions for making the formula. Use boiling water and thoroughly mix the formula.

9. Don’t try to rush the baby’s feeding time. Let him suckle at his own pace – he may let the nipple rest in his mouth for a few minutes and start to suckle again. That’s just fine. When he is finished he will be a happy, Contented Baby and will usually go right to sleep.

10. Be sure to burp your baby during and after the feeding. This releases the air pockets that form in his little stomach during the suckling process. If you do not burp him you will have an unhappy, Fussy Baby on your hands.

Enjoy your baby’s feeding time. It can be a time of great comfort for your baby and lots of joy for you.