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Infant Feeding: Starting with formula milk

For mothers who choose they do not want to breastfeed or cannot breastfeed, infant formula is safe and nutritionally suitable for babies.

Choosing a formula

No brand is better than another. All formulas have to follow strict regulations so they all contain similar ingredients.

Cow’s milk formula is suitable from birth until one year. Hungry baby milks, soya alternatives and follow on milks are not recommended. Please always follow your doctor’s advice as individual recommendation can differ from general recommendation.

What do you need?

- Bottles and bottle brush

- Teats

- Sterilisation equipment

- Powdered formula

Please note powdered formula is not sterile. Boil water above 70 degrees when adding to the powder to kill any pathogens. See link below with instructions on how to safely prepare formula.

How to give infant formula.

Ensure your baby is sat fairly upright and is held by you, not propped or sat in a chair

Keep the teat full of milk to prevent air intake which = wind later on!

Give your baby short breaks during the feed to assess cues and allow your baby to burp

Use the recommended amount on the packaging as a guide only- follow your babies cues and never force a baby to finish a bottle

Throw away all unused formula after one hour of starting the feed

Sources: CDC/WHO/UNICEF

Resource: https://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/micro/PIF_Bottle_en.pdf

Author: Abigail Laurie Registered Midwife and Registered Specialist Public Health Nurse, United Kingdom.