here - Health Promotion Agency

The feeding question
The temperature of the milk
Before you start to feed your baby,
always check that the milk is
not too hot by dripping some on
the inside of your wrist. To cool
the milk, hold the bottle under
cold running water, with the cap
covering the teat.
Never heat bottles in a
microwave oven. The milk
continues to heat up after it has
been taken out of the microwave
and could scald your baby.
Place the empty bottle on a clean flat
surface and pour in the cooled boiled
water up to the required mark.
Always pour the water into the
bottle first and check that the water
level is correct before adding the milk
powder.
Add the milk powder to the water.
Ensure you add one scoop to 1 fl oz
or 30ml of water. Never use more or
less than this (recommended by a
dietitian) or you will make your baby
ill and don’t add any other
ingredients, such as sugar, honey,
rusks or baby rice.
Loosely fill the scoop with milk
powder and level it off with a plastic
knife which has been sterilised.
Make sure you use the scoop which
comes with that particular packet or
tin of milk. Do not swap scoops from
one milk brand to another - they may
not be the same size.
Cover the bottle with the supplied
disc and screw ring. Shake well until
all the power is dissolved. Remove the
disc and, holding the edge of the teat,
place it on the bottle. Place the screw
ring over the top of the teat and
tighten in place.
FEEDING
Your baby will gradually settle into
a routine. Babies vary in how often
they want to feed and how much
they want to take. Some may be
content with feeds every three to
four hours and others may want
smaller quantities more often.
Respond to your baby’s needs and
feed when he or she is hungry, just
as you would if you were
breastfeeding. In the same way,
don’t try to force your baby to
finish a bottle. He or she may
have had enough for the time
being or simply want a rest.
A comfortable position
Have everything you need ready
before you start feeding. Find a
comfortable position in which you
can hold your baby while you are
feeding. Give your baby time.
Some babies take some milk, pause
for a nap and then wake up for
more. So be patient.
Using bottled water
If you have to use bottled
water, check that it is
suitable for babies. Some
natural mineral waters are
not suitable because they are
too high in salt. Only use
bottled waters that state
'suitable for infant feeding'
on their labels. Remember
that bottled water is not
sterile, so, like tap water,
make sure to boil it. Allow it
to cool for no more than half
an hour before making up
the feed in a sterilised bottle.
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