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This page has some basic information regarding bottlefeeding together with links to some online guides. If you have concerns about any feeding issues, consult your local GP or child health nurse.
Breastfeeding is considered best for baby's health. But if, for whatever reason, you need to or decide to bottlefeed, it is important to know what to do. Seek advice from your child health nurse or GP. If you are experiencing problems with breastfeeding and would like help, see our page getting help with breastfeeding for local specialist assistance.
bottlefeeding equipment
Bottle-feeding parents will need equipment such as:
- bottles with caps
- teats
- measuring & mixing equipment (scoop, knife, measuring jug & funnel)
- sterilising equipment
- formula
- bottle & teat brushes for cleaning
- insulated bottle carrier
It is possible to buy sachets of feed suitable for one-off feeds for travel
or emergency use. This saves you opening a whole tin of feed that must be
used within a month or otherwise wasted.
Most of these items are widely available from general nursery stores,
pregnancy & baby boutiques, chemists and supermarkets.
For stockists of 'nursing pillows' for feeding times, see our early feeding products page.
bottlefeeding essentials
- good hygiene is vital in preparing bottlefeeds - ensure that you always wash your hands and thoroughly clean and sterilise all equipment used in preparing a feed
- feed must always be mixed exactly as stated on the packaging
- store pre-mixed feeds in the centre of the fridge - not in the fridge door
- if you are taking a bottle out with the formula pre-mixed in the bottle, ensure that the contents are icy cold and transported in an insulated container and only heated when needed
- once mixed formula is at room temperature it must be used within an hour or discarded or you run the risk of food poisoning occuring
- don't heat bottles in a microwave - microwaves do not always heat evenly and can leave 'hot spots' in the milk that could burn your baby
- never leave a baby alone with a bottle
To read more about bottlefeeding, see the online links below:
information online
- bottlefeeding information from the Parenting & Child Health section of the Child & Youth Health website, CYH, South Australia (this online article also has links to other articles relating to bottlefeeding)
- an online article from Queensland Health
- How to sterilise bottles & utensils from NSW Health website
- information about the risks associated with soy-based formulas from Soy Online Service (NZ site)
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