Top tips for successful bottle feeding

• Spend time enjoying being close to your baby when you feed her - don't leave her unattended with a bottle.

• Don't let your baby go to bed with a bottle - it can do horrible damage to her developing teeth.

• Once your baby has finished her milk, remove the bottle.

• When you've got made up bottle of formula ready, store them in the back of the fridge where the temperature is more consistently cold.

• Any refrigerated formula that isn't used within 24 hours should be thrown away.

• Throw away the dregs of every bottle you use and offer a fresh bottle at the next feed.

Bottle feeding safety issues:
 

• You should always check the expiry date on any formula before you buy it.
• Once the formula tin's been opened, you must throw away any unused formula after a month.
• Always thoroughly wash your hands before beginning to make up formula.
• Make up sure that all the equipment you plan to use for making up formula is sterilised.
• Until your baby is 12 months old, you should always use cooled boiled water when you make up formula.
• Always follow the manufacturer's instruction when making up formula.
• Use the scoop that is included in the formula tin - each manufacturer has their own scoop that measures out a portion that is correct to make formula up to their specifications.
• Always use the correct amount of formula - don't add a little extra to fill your baby up as you risk dehydrating your baby and putting unnecessary pressure on her digestive system.

Common Sense Advice. Share your experiences, tips and advice on the Kidspot Forum.

This article was written by Ella Walsh for Kidspot. Sources include SA Government's Parenting and Child Health and Vic. Govt's Better Health Channel.