Giving the Bottle
When you feed your baby with a bottle, whether its filled with formula or with expressed breast milk, be just as patient and loving as you would be if you were breastfeeding. Allow her to take a break if she feels like it and to decide when she’s had enough.
Getting Comfortable
When you or your partner give your baby a feeding, it’s important to look at her, cuddle her close, and talk to her. Find a quiet comfortable place to feed your baby. You may like to sit on the floor or in a low chair so you can support her on your lap. Rest her head in the crook of your elbow, with her back supported on your forearm, and hold her securely.
Before feeding, unscrew the nipple ring a little so that air can get into the bottle when your baby sucks out the formula. This will prevent the nipple from closing up. Always hold the bottle at an angle so the nipple is full of milk or your baby will swallow air with the feeding. If your baby falls asleep during a feeding, she may have gas that is making her feel full. Sit her up and burp her.
Burping Your Baby
The point of burping is to help your baby bring up any air she’s swallowed during feeding, or when crying before feeding, so it doesn’t cause her any discomfort. If your baby has gas, one of the best ways to burp her is to hold her against your shoulder and gently stroke or pat her back. Put a clean cloth over your shoulder first because your baby might dribble or spit up a little milk as she burps.
Another way to help your baby to clear any gas is to sit her on your lap and lean her forward, without bending her over at the waist. As you do this, support her head with your hand so it does not flop forward.
