Bottle feeding

In some cases, it may be necessary to bottle feed your baby. Modified formula contains all the nutrients necessary for your baby's normal growth and development. Proper bottle preparation is very important.

Hunger signals

Your baby signals when he is hungry. Watch out for the following signs:

  • Licking at hands
  • Clenched fists
  • Turning his/her head and seeking the breast
  • Bringing hands to his/her mouth

Preparation

It is important to prepare the bottle correctly. Below is more information on how to prepare it.

When making a bottle, always wash your hands first. It is important that you use the right amount of powder. You use one graduated measure in 30 ml of water, two in 60 ml of water and three in 90 ml of water. Then roll the bottle between your hands to avoid clumps. You can warm it up in a bottle warmer or microwave. When warm, shake the bottle and check the temperature of the milk on the inside of your wrist.

In the video below, the midwife shows you all of the steps (in dutch).

The feeding

Make sure you take your time when feeding and cuddle and talk to your baby a lot. To make it easy for you, put a pillow under your arm so you have enough support during a feeding. Put your baby in a semi-sitting position against your arm and put the head back. Pass the pacifier over the baby's mouth to encourage it to bite and drink. Make sure the pacifier is full of milk when you offer it so the baby does not gasp too much air. Insert the pacifier into the mouth up to the thickening so he can drink through properly. If it is sucked flat, the cap may be too tight.

After the bottle, the baby should always have a chance to burp. Therefore, lay him upright against your shoulder for about ten minutes. A baby drinks on average every three to four hours and has about seven feedings every 24 hours.

You can find more tips for successful bottle feeding in the brochures below.

Bottle feeding (719.22 KB)

Out and about with formula

If you give the bottle feeding outside of your home take the water and powder separately. A bottle should only be prepared at feeding time and not several hours before. Once the milk has been at room temperature for an hour you should pour it away. Cooled milk should not be reheated.

On the website of Child and Family you will find even more information about bottle feeding.

It is best not to store an opened bottle of water in the refrigerator for more than 24 hours. After feeding, rinse the bottle well with detergent and hot water and let it drain on a clean towel or in a bottle rack. Sterilizing the bottle is only necessary if your baby was born prematurely or if he has a reduced immunity. It is best to sterilize new bottles before their first use.

Departments

For more information on bottle feeding, please contact our maternity ward.

Maternity 011 69 98 41