About Feeding From a Bottle

You can feed your baby breast milk or infant formula from a bottle.

If you use a bottle, be sure to keep all your supplies clean.

Your baby will have to learn to drink from a bottle, and this can take some time.

Keeping your bottle-feeding supplies clean is very important to prevent germs from getting in your baby's milk or infant formula. The supplies include the bottles, nipples, rings, caps, and any valves or membranes that are part of the bottle.

See how to clean your baby's bottles and other feeding supplies.

Putting infant cereal or other solid foods in your baby's bottle will not make them sleep longer. However, it could increase your baby's risk of choking.

If you are introducing a bottle, pick a time when your baby is calm and not too hungry or full.

Start by offering your baby small amounts of breast milk or infant formula in the bottle. You can offer more if they show signs of hunger. It might take some time until you figure out how much your baby usually eats.

If you are breastfeeding, your baby may be more willing to take a bottle from someone other than you.

Position the bottle at an angle rather than straight up and down so the milk only comes out when your baby sucks.

Let your baby take breaks from drinking when they seem to want them.

Watch your baby for cues that they are full, and then stop, even if the bottle is not empty.

Give your baby only breast milk or infant formula in a bottle.

Hold your baby close when you feed them a bottle.

Do not prop or leave the bottle in your baby's mouth. This can increase your baby's risk of choking, ear infections, and tooth decay. Your baby may also eat more than they need.

Do not force your baby to finish the bottle if your baby is showing signs of fullness. This can lead to your baby eating more than they need.

Do not put your baby to bed with a bottle. Milk can pool around the baby's teeth and cause tooth decay.