For the best start to your baby’s life breast is best. A mother’s milk contains the right nutrients, antibodies and is delivered sterile, at the proper temperature and free of charge. However, for some mothers breastfeeding isn’t an option while other mums find their baby has reached an age where formula is needed to supplement breast milk.

This guide will give you advice and some recommended products for formula feeding your baby.

When can I give my baby formula milk?

You can feed your baby formula milk from birth. For some mums, breastfeeding is difficult or baby could have a condition that means they’re unable to feed from the breast. For other mums, after breastfeeding for a few months they like to introduce formula and combine it with breast milk. Some mums combine both milks from birth. Everybody makes their own choice and as long as you’re happy that your baby is being fed properly then that’s fine.

What type of formula milk should I use?

There’s a vast range of formula milk on the market including organic options. Make sure whatever formula you choose is government approved - if you’re unsure, consult with your midwife or health visitor. Which one your baby will like is a question of trial and error especially if baby is combining feeds with breast milk.

Baby formula milk is typically made from cow’s milk that has been altered to help baby’s digestive system. Fresh cow’s milk should never be given to a baby under 1 year of age. Formula milk will contain minerals, nutrients and vitamins and some formulas also have LCPs (long chain fatty acids) that can help with brain development.

Your baby may be lactose intolerant meaning they are allergic to cow’s milk. There are specialist formulas available once a diagnosis has been made by your doctor or health visitor. There are also specialist formulas for premature babies.

Formula milk generally has three main types:

First Stage
This formula contains more whey and is easier for younger babies to digest. Newborn babies should be fed first stage formula milk.

Second Stage
Containing more curd, second stage formula milk takes longer for a baby to digest and is often used for hungrier babies.

Follow-On Milk
For babies aged six months and older, follow-on has added iron that baby now requires as their iron stores run dry.

What equipment do I need for formula feeding?

From 0-3 months your baby will require Stage 1 (small) feeding teats:

Tommee Tippee Bottle Teat

From 3-6 months your baby needs a Stage 2 (medium) feeding teat and for 6+ months your baby will need the Stage 3 (large) teat.

To go with your teats you’ll need some feeding bottles. It is recommended you have at least 6 bottles and teats so you can have bottles ready for feeds while others are being sterilised. It is advisable to go for a bottle that eliminates colic and wind. As baby sucks on the teat, they are sucking against a vacuum in the bottle, air also enters the bottle causing bubbles to form in the milk. Swallowing these bubbles and sucking against the vacuum is a known cause of colic.

With baby’s immature digestive system you’ll need a bottle that allows an uninterrupted milk flow. A feeding bottle which allows you to release air inside the bottle with the touch of a button still lets the milk flow naturally and makes bottle feeding more like breastfeeding.

Tommee Tippee Anti-Colic Bottle

Keeping baby feeding equipment sterile

It’s important to sterilise all feeding equipment up to the age of 1 year-old as bottle-fed babies are susceptible to viruses and infections that may be on the teats and bottles.

- After you’ve given baby a bottle, rinse it along with the teat to remove any milk residue.
- Clean out the bottle and teat with hot soapy water. Use a bottle and teat brush to make sure all the hard to reach places are cleaned.

Tommee Tippee Bottle & Teat Brush

- Rinse all the feeding equipment and then place in a steriliser.
- If you’re not using the equipment immediately, ensure you re-sterilise before use.

Which steriliser?

There are three recommended types of steriliser you should use:

Steam Steriliser
These sterilisers use steam to effectively and efficiently kill off bacteria. A full cycle typically takes between 5 and 10 minutes and many sterilisers have the capacity to hold multiple bottles and other feeding equipment.

Lindam Universal Steam Steriliser

Microwave Sterilisers
Working in much the same way a steam sterilisers, these compact units are easy to store and can keep equipment sterile for up to 24 hours if left unopened after a cycle.

Tommee Tippee Microwave Steriliser Kit

Cold Water Sterilisers
These units are ideal when you don’t have access to electricity as the equipment is placed in a container full of water and a sterilising tablet is added. Dual purpose microwave and cold-water sterilisers are the ideal solution by combining both systems.

Tommee Tippee Microwave Steriliser

How do I make up a formula feed?

Ensure that all your feeding equipment is sterilised and you’ve washed your hands. Make sure any surface area you’re using is also clean. It is essential that each feed is made fresh using boiled water that has cooled for no longer than an hour.

Follow the manufacturers guidelines for making up the feed. To make life easier, use a milk powder dispenser to add the powder to the bottle with less mess.

Brother Max Powder Dispenser

And then use a powdered milk mixer which can mix the formula right inside the bottle.

Prince Lionheart Powdered Formula Mixer

Before giving the formula feed to your baby, ensure it is the right temperature. You can pour a few drops onto your wrist (it should feel lukewarm). If it feels too hot, run the bottle under a cold water tap or place it in a bowl of cold water until it cools. To be really sure, use a baby bottle temperature indicator. Made from a plastic that changes colour to give a visual indicator of heat, they are easily inserted into the bottle and can be sterilised with your other feeding equipment.

Clippasafe Baby Bottle Temperature Indicator

When you’ve heated milk, never reheat as this increases bacteria in the milk and can lead to upset tummies.

How to bottle feed your baby

Now comes the great part - feeding your baby. It’s advisable to place a bib on your little one as it’s highly unlikely all of the milk will end up in their mouth! A stage one easy clean bib will catch all the spills and dribbles and can be rinsed clean afterwards.

Annabel Karmel Bib

Bottle feeding is a great bonding experience. Hold your baby close and keep the bottle at an angle as you carefully insert the teat into their mouth. Make sure the teat is always full of milk. If baby doesn’t suck straight away, gently stroke their cheek as this can trigger a sucking reflex.

If baby is making things difficult and doesn’t want to take any more formula milk, remove the bottle and place your little finger into the corner of the mouth to break suction from the teat. Try burping your baby and then shifting them to another arm - you may find they will take some more milk.

Formula feeding quick tips

- Use a sterilised bottle and teat for each feed
- After a feed, throw away milk left in the bottle
- When making up a feed, water should be boiled and left to cool for up to one hour
- Put the boiled water (that has cooled) into the bottle before the formula
- Test the temperature of the milk before giving it to your baby

Related articles:

Sterilising for your baby

When to start expressing

Guide to essential breastfeeding products