Guide to holding a bottle when feeding a newborn 

There isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ solution to bottle feeding a newborn baby. But, there are ways to make feeding with a bottle easier, such as how you hold the bottle. 

Every baby is different, with ranging likes, dislikes, and abilities, and it’s important to remember that they’re trying to figure out what they prefer at the very same time as you are. 

At Tommee Tippee, we know lots about feeding using baby bottles.  

Here are the basics you need to know about how to hold a bottle to feed a newborn, so you can feel confident that your baby is safe and healthy. 

What position to hold your baby in when bottle feeding 

Before holding the bottle, you need to put your baby in the right position. 

Sit yourself in a comfortable position with your baby close to you. Then, hold them in a one of the below positions. 

Make sure to support their head - this helps them breathe and swallow comfortably as they feed and prevents milk from leaking into their ear which can lead to an infection. 

Common bottle-feeding positions

Place baby’s head in the fold of your arm with your other arm around or underneath their body for support, and tilt the arm with your baby’s head slightly upward so their body is slightly upright. 

Prop your knees up and place baby’s head at the top of your knees, their back supported against your thighs, and their feet on your stomach. This is great for eye contact and keeping one hand free.

Place baby upright so the back of their head is touching your chest. You can also rest their head in the fold of your arm. Helpful for babies with reflux or gas.

Use a cushion or nursing pillow to position baby in a snug location against your body with their head elevated for support. 

How to hold your baby’s bottle when feeding 

Now it’s time for the bottle.  

Gently place the bottle teat into the baby’s mouth and keep the bottle in a horizontal position with a slight tilt. This moderate angle will allow the milk to flow steadily and help prevent your baby from taking in air.  

Top tip: If your baby is ingesting air as they feed, you can sit them more upright and tip the bottle high enough so that the milk fills the whole teat while they are feeding.

Creating the smoothest bottle-feeding experience 

The infant bottles and teats you choose can also have an impact on bottle feed times.  

From finding the bottle that sits the most comfortably in your hand, to teats that replicate the flex and stretch of a breast, Tommee Tippee’s products have been specifically designed for smoother feeds. 

Teats in different flow rates change the pace that milk flows into baby’s mouth. This gives you and baby more control over their feed, helping with air intake, feeding discomfort, and fussiness.  

Each Tommee Tippee bottle teat is marked with a letter or number according to its flow rate. Read our guide on the various teats and flow rates you can choose from. 

Your bottle-holding position also needs to consider where the valve is to help keep gas away from baby’s tummy. If you’re using a Natural Start® bottle, the anti-colic valve will work wherever it’s positioned, but the best place for the valve is at the top, near your baby's nose. 

Sources

• Bottle feeding - nutrition and safety | Better Health Channel  

• Helpful Bottle-Feeding Positions | Healthy Pregnancy 

• Colic in babies: what it is & what to do | Raising Children Network