Bottle feeding

We promote breastfeeding as the healthiest choice of feeding for both mothers and their babies. We will provide support and information for all mothers however they choose to feed their baby. If you wish to express your breastmilk and feed it to your baby by bottle, our staff will support you in this choice. If you choose not to breastfeed, our staff will ensure that you are supported to learn how to prepare feeds as safely as possible in order to reduce the risk of illness, and how to feed the baby in a paced and responsive manner.

For new parents who have decided to formula feed their baby there is still lots to learn.  It is recommended that when bottle feeding you use responsive bottle feeding which helps support the development of a close and loving parent-baby relationship. 

Infant formulas sold in the UK can vary a lot in price but they all have a similar nutritional content to make sure they comply with UK regulations and are nutritionally adequate. Some infant formulas might advertise that they are superior to other brands if they contain extra ingredients, but if there isn’t enough reliable evidence that extra ingredients will have a positive effect on infant health then they are unnecessary and not required to be added as part of the regulations.   

The different types of infant formula can be confusing. You can find out more about the different types of infant formula from the NHS website and First Steps Nutrition Trust.

It is important when bottle feeding that you make up your baby’s bottle safely as powdered infant formula is not sterile and needs to be made up at a temperature which will kill any potential bacteria.  All equipment also needs to be sterilised. Find out more information on the First Steps Nutrition Trust website.