By Stacy DeBroff

Although often it seems like there is a lot of pressure to breastfeed your baby, this option simply does not work for everyone. There are many advantages to bottle-feeding your child as well, especially if you work or have other young children to look after. Mothers who bottle-feed will also likely get more sleep! Follow these simple steps to help you master the art of bottle-feeding your newborn.

ADVANTAGES

You, your partner, relatives, caregivers or even an older sibling can all help feed your baby. Your partner, relatives, or a mother's helper can take on middle of the night feedings in the first few exhausting weeks after birth.

You have no dietary restrictions or concerns about medication entering your milk supply as you do with breastfeeding.

You have no worries about adequate milk production, sore nipples, or passing infections to your child.

If you work, it's easier for you and baby to transition.

You can measure exactly how many ounces your baby drinks.

Because formula takes longer to digest, your bottlefed baby often starts sleeping through the night sooner and may require less frequent feedings.

You can avoid uncomfortable feelings you have about breastfeeding, especially in public or at work.

FORMULA

Try one brand of formula at a time, and look for iron-fortified formulas.

Clean the top of each formula can and your can opener to prevent contamination.

Canned formula goes bad if it gets too hot. If you open a can of formula and the liquids have separated, return it to the store for a refund.

If you question the safety of your tap water, have it tested or use distilled bottled water to mix with powdered formula.

Follow instructions for mixing and storing your formula exactly.

Store prepared bottles of formula or open formula cans in the refrigerator for up to two days.

Bottles of formula left at room temperature should be discarded after two hours, and one hour after having been used by your baby.

Do not refrigerate or reheat a bottle once your baby has used it.

Never freeze formula.

To clean out leftover formula clinging to the inside a bottle, put a little uncooked rice along with soap and warm water into a used bottle, cover the top, and shake vigorously.

NIPPLES

To help get rid of the rubbery taste, boil nipples for five minutes before using them the first time.

Inspect nipples regularly for cracks, and discard them after three months.

If your baby gulps too much formula at once or gags while feeding, change nipple brands, as the hole of the one you're using is likely too large for your baby.

FEEDING YOUR BABY HER BOTTLE

When feeding your baby, hold her in a semi-upright position while supporting her head. Don't feed her lying down, as the formula can flow into the middle ear, causing an ear infection.

Never prop a bottle for your infant to drink, as this poses a choking hazard.

Your child knows how much nutrition she needs. Do not force her to finish a bottle. If you are concerned about weight gain and your baby's eating habits, consult your pediatrician.

Do not have your baby fall asleep nursing a bottle. If she does so, wipe milk off her gums if she has teeth or emerging teeth, in order to prevent tooth decay.

Keep the neck of the bottle filled with formula to prevent your baby from swallowing air. Tilt the bottle so air rises to the bottom of the bottle, away from the nipple.

WARMING BOTTLES

Hold the bottle under running warm water or place it in a bowl of warm water for two to three minutes.

Test the formula first on your wrist to make sure it is warm, but not too hot, before feeding your baby.

Do not microwave formula. There is too great a risk of heating unevenly. Even if you test a drop on your wrist, there could be a scalding pocket of formula inside.

On the go, bring along a thermos of hot water, pour some into the cap, and set the bottle inside until warm.

Keep a lidded crock pot full of water on low so you can simply dunk in a cold bottle for a minute or so to warm it up.

NIGHTTIME BOTTLES

Keep by your bed a thermos filled with hot sterilized water and bottles with the right amount of formula mix measured inside. Pour the right amount of water into the bottle, shake, test the temperature on your wrist, and it's ready to eat.

To keep mixed formula cold and close to your bed at night, have a small cube refrigerator or cooler in your bedroom.

BURPING

Burp bottlefed babies every few ounces.

Techniques to try:

Sit your baby in an upright position and apply light pressure to her abdomen while you pat her gently on the back.

Sit your baby in your lap and cup her chin to support her head. Lean her slightly forward to rub her back.

Hold your baby upright with her head resting over your shoulder, and rub her back in circles.

Lay your baby across your lap, facing down, with her head to the side.

Start by rubbing your baby's lower back, and work your way up by patting gently or rubbing in circles with slight pressure until you reach her neck.

If you have a baby who takes a long time to burp, loosen air bubbles by placing your baby in a vertical position with her head on your shoulder and bouncing her gently a few times. Or hold your baby off your shoulder, your hand supporting her neck and arm supporting her back. Gently rock her once or twice down to your lap and then back up to your shoulder.

For spit-ups and wipe-ups:

Keep several dozen cloth diapers, old dishtowels, and inexpensive washcloths around your home to grab as needed.

When your cloth bibs become too small, convert them to face wipe towels by cutting off the strings.

Image From: Prophet Magazine

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