Infants and toddlers learn about the world by tasting, touching and feeling

Bottle Feeding Techniques

• Hold your baby properly in a semi-reclining position
• Never feed your baby laying down
• Alert the sucking refl ex by stroking your baby’s cheek
• Let some drops of milk touch his lips so he can taste it
• Tilt the bottle so the milk fi lls the neck of the bottle and covers the nipple
• Check the opening at the top of the nipple so it isn’t too big or too small for your
  baby’s needs
• After your baby is finished, it’s important to burp him to release the air bubbles

3 Burping Positions

• Rest your baby against your shoulder and fi rmly pat or rub his back until you hear or feel a burp
• Or place your baby stomach down and rub or pat his back
• Or sit him up on your lap, lean his weight forward against the heel of your hand and, again,
  rub or pat his back

Ways to Keep your Bottles Clean

• Sterilize them in boiling water
• Use an automatic bottle and nipple sterilizer
• Rinse the bottle immediately after each feeding before the milk dries
• Use a bottle and separate nipple brush with mild soap for cleaning and rinse thoroughly.
• Or put the bottles in the dishwasher with the heat cycle turned on

Preparing a Bottle

• Babies prefer milk at room temperature
• If using stored breast milk, remove it from the freezer or refrigerator and allow enough time
  for it to thaw or adjust to room temperature
• Electric bottle warmers can warm nicely, too
• DO NOT HEAT THE BOTTLE IN THE MICROWAVE … It can heat the milk unevenly and leave hot
  spots that could burn your baby’s mouth

If Using Expressed Breast Milk

• Put the date and time on the bottle or nurser bag
• Make sure to use the oldest breast milk first
• You can refrigerate up to 48 hours
• After 48 hours, you’ll need to freeze it
• Frozen milk can be used for up to 12 months

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