Bottle feeding with formula or breast milk: Tips & techniques

What equipment do you need to bottle feed? 

When you're getting ready to bottle feed, the best place to start is buying:

1. Several bottles

2. Teats

3. A breast pump if you're combi-feeding

4. A bottle brush

5. Sterilising equipment

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

Cleaning and sterilisation

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

1. Wash your hands before handling feeding equipment.

2. After each feed, take the bottle apart and wash the bottle, teat, and other parts in hot, soapy water using a clean bottle brush.

3. Rinse everything thoroughly to remove milk and soap.

4. Sterilise according to the steriliser’s instructions.

Read our handy cleaning and sterilisation guide for more info.

Safe bottle preparation 

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, or you can read our article here.

How to make up a bottle with expressed breast milk  

To prepare a safe bottle of expressed breast milk if you're also breastfeeding, wash your hands and use a clean, sterilised bottle and teat.

If you have a breast pump that pumps straight into the bottle, simply put on the teat and bottle ring, and feed.

If you're using previously expressed breast milk that's been frozen, only thaw it in the fridge or in warm water; never microwave it. Then, once warmed, gently swirl the milk to mix the fat back in, and check that it’s not too hot before feeding.

Here are some extra things to know:

• If you're storing excess milk, make sure to have clean, food-safe containers or breast milk storage bags ready, so you don't lose a single precious drop

• Label stored milk with the date it was expressed, and follow local health guidance for safe storage times and temperatures

• If your baby has started a bottle, use the milk within two hours and discard any leftovers; don’t save or reheat milk they’ve already drunk from

• Don’t mix infant formula with expressed milk in the same bottle unless a healthcare professional advises you to

To warm expressed breast milk, you might want to buy a bottle warmer to make it easy and quick to prepare a feed.

How to make up a bottle with infant formula  

To prepare a bottle safely, follow the instructions for your infant formula and wash your hands before handling feeding equipment. You can find a more in-depth guide here, but here are the basics you need to know.

For powdered formula:

1. Boil fresh water and let it cool for no more than 30 minutes, so it is still at least 70°C when you mix it with the powder.

2. Measure the water into a clean, sterilised bottle first, then add the exact amount of powder specified on the pack. Never add extra water or powder.

3. Secure the bottle and shake it to mix, then cool the feed under cold running water or in a bowl of cold water.

4. Check the temperature on your wrist before feeding; it should feel lukewarm, not hot.

Here are some extra things to remember:

• Don’t use a microwave, as it can heat milk unevenly

• Make one feed at a time, only when needed, and discard any formula left in the bottle after a feed

• Follow the product instructions and local health guidance for preparing and storing feeds

• 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

For easy formula feed prep, a Tommee Tippee Perfect Prep® machine means no boiling, no cooling, and less waiting - something many would recommend for those tiring 3am feeds. 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.

Is bottle feeding okay for newborns? 

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 doctor or midwife. 

To bottle feed your newborn:

• Hold your baby close, with their head supported and their body semi-upright.

• Gently touch the teat to their lips and let them draw it into their mouth.

• Keep the bottle mostly horizontal, with enough milk in the teat to help your baby feed without a fast flow.

• Pause during the feed and watch your baby’s cues. Let them take breaks if they need them.

• Stop when your baby shows they’re full, such as turning away, closing their mouth, or relaxing their hands. Never force them to finish the bottle.

Are Tommee Tippee baby bottles suitable for newborns?

Yes, Tommee Tippee bottles come with extra slow and slow flow teats and are suitable for newborn babies. They also feature an anti-colic valve to help reduce air intake for more comfortable feeds.

What is responsive paced bottle feeding?

Paced bottle feeding, also known as responsive feeding, lets your baby control the flow of milk and follow their own hunger and fullness cues. Rather than feeding to a fixed schedule or target volume, offer pauses when your baby needs them and stop when they show they’re full. Hold them close and semi-upright, keep the bottle mostly horizontal, and let them draw the teat into their mouth.

It is recommended you use a slow flow teat so that baby can control the pace.

Discover more, including hunger cues to look out for, in our article: Paced Bottle Feeding: A Step-By-Step Guide for Parents.

When to introduce a bottle to breastfed babies?

There’s no single right time for introducing a bottle while breastfeeding. If breastfeeding is going well, some families wait until it feels established; others may need to offer a bottle sooner because of a medical need or time apart.

If you know you’ll be separated from your baby, planning ahead can give you time to practise. Talk with your midwife, health visitor or doctor about what may work for your baby and your circumstances if you're considering introducing a bottle.

How to introduce a bottle to a breastfed baby

Try getting them used to the teat on its own first: 

1. Bring the teat (without a bottle attached) to baby's mouth and rub it along their gums.

2. Encourage baby to suck by placing your finger inside the teat and rubbing it gently on their tongue.  

3. Add some drops of milk to the teat and offer this to your baby.

Why is my breastfed baby refusing a bottle?

A breastfed baby may refuse a bottle for several reasons. The teat may feel unfamiliar in shape or texture, the milk may flow faster or slower than they expect, or they may be more comfortable feeding in a different position or with their usual caregiver.

Timing can matter too: a very hungry, tired, or unsettled baby may find it harder to try something new.

There isn’t one explanation that applies to every baby, and refusal doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong.

How can I help a breastfed baby take a bottle?

Also relevant for solely bottle-fed babies, here are some troubleshooting tips:

• Offer the bottle when your baby is calm and settled, rather than very hungry or tired.

• Let another caregiver offer it while you’re out of sight, if that feels right for your family.

• Gently touch the teat to your baby’s lips and let them draw it in. Keep the feed relaxed and follow their cues.

• If your baby becomes upset, stop and try again another time. Don’t force the teat or make your baby finish.

• Try offering the bottle at a different time or checking that the milk is a comfortable temperature.

• Try a different teat shape or flow rate to find a nipple that suits them.

When should I seek help for bottle refusal?

Contact your midwife, health visitor, doctor, or another qualified healthcare professional if your baby is taking too little milk, has fewer wet nappies than usual, seems unwell or may be dehydrated, or continues to refuse the bottle. Seek urgent medical care if your baby appears seriously ill or shows signs of severe dehydration.

Read more tips on what to do when your baby refuses bottles on our blog.