On this page:
    mum feeding twins bottles

    How to bottle feed a baby: Tips & techniques

    From getting the latch right to finding a comfortable position, bottle feeding has more to it than just handing over a bottle. Here's what the first few feeds can teach you.

    Author: Sophie | Feeding Category Manager

    Posted on: 1 Jan, 2025

    Reading time: 10 mins

    Looking for bottle feeding advice? We’ve got you. Whether you're a new parent or simply looking for some extra tips, we've written this handy step-by-step guide to bottle feeding techniques and tips to help you bottle feed your baby.   

    What equipment do you need to bottle feed? 

    When you're getting ready to bottle feed, you'll need several bottles, teats, a bottle brush, some sterilising equipment and perhaps a breast pump.  

    Head to our baby feeding glossary to learn more about what you'll need to feed. 

    Sterilising and bottle feeding, what you need to know  

    It's recommended that anything that goes into a baby's mouth is sterilised for the first 12 months of their life.  

    Rinsing (to get rid of any milk residue), and then sterilising your baby's bottles and feeding equipment thoroughly before each use is a must. It protects them from infections (especially while their immune system is still developing). Not sterilising can lead to stomach upsets like diarrhoea. 

    Bottle feeding safety 

    Making up a baby bottle with formula or breast milk  

    If you're bottle feeding, you'll either be giving your baby expressed breast milk or formula, or feeding using both (but not at the same time in the same bottle).   

    This is sometimes called mixed or combination feeding. The NHS has lots of information about mixed feeding.  

    How to make up a bottle with expressed breast milk  

    If you're going to give your baby breast milk in a sterile bottle, you'll need a breast pump (or to be able to express by hand), and some sterile pouches to store your expressed milk in the fridge or freezer.  

    How to make up a bottle with infant formula  

    When making a bottle of formula you should always follow the preparation instructions of the infant formula you're using carefully, and always use sterile water that's been boiled and left to cool to no less than 70°C.  

    It's worth noting that too much water can dilute the formula, meaning your baby won't get the optimal amount of nutrition from their feed. On the flip side, too much formula can lead to constipation and dehydration.  

    Only make up a formula feed when needed, and make one feed at a time, never in bulk.

    A Tommee Tippee Perfect Prep® machine means no boiling. No cooling. Less waiting. And less to clean up. These bottle prep machines are scientifically proven to make a fresh feed safely and up to 10x faster than a kettle*.

    *For verification see tommeetippee.com/perfect-prep-explained.

    Sources

    Frequently asked questions

    The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, but babies can be bottle fed from birth if they're unable to breastfeed or you choose not to for whatever reason.  

    The decision to bottle feed, breastfeed, or combi feed is a very personal choice, and no two feeding journeys are the same.   

    Whichever feeding method you choose, your decision should be made in consultation with your healthcare provider. 

    Knowing how often you plan to bottle feed can help you decide how many teats and bottles you need.  

    If you're only going to use a bottle once a day or just occasionally, having two is a good idea. That way, if one is lost, damaged or needs to be cleaned and sterilised, you've got a backup.  

    But, if you're solely bottle feeding a newborn, then you should have around four to six bottles and teats because newborns can feed up to 12 times over 24 hours.  

    Knowing how often you plan to bottle feed can help you decide how many teats and bottles you need.  

    If you're only going to use a bottle once a day or just occasionally, having two is a good idea. That way, if one is lost, damaged or needs to be cleaned and sterilised, you've got a backup.  

    But, if you're solely bottle feeding a newborn, then you should have around four to six bottles and teats because newborns can feed up to 12 times over 24 hours. 

    You should change your teats every two months or immediately if they're damaged, weak, or have been bitten. Your baby will usually let you know when it's time to change the flow rate, or even if you've moved up too quickly.  

    Signs that it's time to move up a teat flow rate include your baby:  

    • becoming impatient or aggravated when eating  
    • taking longer than 20 minutes to finish a feed  
    • falling asleep while feeding  
    • sucking hard and/or the teat collapsing in on itself  

    Signs that the flow rate of the teat you're using is too fast include your baby:  

    • gulping or hard swallowing  
    • coughing or gagging  
    • letting excess milk drip out of their mouth  
    • refusing to eat 

    Yes, Tommee Tippee bottles come with slow flow teats and are suitable for newborn babies. 

    Posted: 1st January, 2025

    Sophie is passionate about making the lives of newborn parents easier with great Tommee Tippee products. She writes our posts about feeding.

    Share with another parent?

    Helpful reads & advice

    View all parent articles
    mum holding baby Read article
    Paced bottle feeding guide

    Feeding doesn't have to be a rush. Paced feeding lets your baby lead, reducing overfeeding, wind, and that glazed 'what just happened' look. Here's how to do it.

    3 mins
    Helping your baby adapt to bottle feeding Read article
    Helping your baby adapt to bottle feeding

    Bottle refusal is real, and it's frustrating. Whether you're introducing one for the first time or switching from breast, here's how to make the transition a little smoother for both of you.

    9 mins
    mum holding baby and bottle Read article
    Everything you need to know about baby bottle teats

    Slow flow, fast flow, anti-colic vents — teat choice is more nuanced than it looks. This is the no-nonsense guide to finding the right fit for your baby's age and feeding style.

    3 mins