The best guide to when to feed baby is baby's own requirement, which is shown by crying. After a few days, you will become accustomed to the routine at which baby requires to be fed.
Following a rigid schedule is not recommended. Unlike adults, digestive system of babies can take only as much as it can digest. Trying to feed baby when she is not hungry can bring problems. Consult the height and weight chart often, this will give you a hint if your baby is growing in a healthy manner or you need to feed extra.
Feeding bottle is the only thing that can bring infection to a baby. For this reason, bottle must be sterilized prior to feeding. For this, immerse the bottle in boiling water for about five minutes.
Allow them to dry naturally and wipe with a clean non-lint cloth. This procedure should be followed for all components of water, including nipple and sieve. After baby has finished feeding, do not leave the bottle unattended. Rinse it thoroughly with hot water to remove any germination.
The water you use for making the bottle feed should be boiled before preparing the formula. It is always a safer practice to boil the water prior to preparing formula. If you live in areas where safe drinking water is available, you may not need to do so. Even then, it is better to consult your doctor on this issue.
Formula made with boiling water will be hot and should not be given to the baby immediately. Allow it to cool sufficiently so that baby can drink it comfortably.
Sterilizing the bottles, cleaning them and allowing the formula to cool down take their own time. For this reason, you must have a set of two to three feeding bottles so that you have at least one set of bottle ready anytime you need to feed the baby.
If you see cracks developing in the bottle, discard it immediately. Use of microwave to heat the formula is not recommended. Microwave will heat the formula through molecular action and any bacteria will stay intact.
While feeding the baby with a bottle, keep the baby in your arms with head higher than rest of body. Holding the bottle so as to allow a steady flow of formula is important. The whole experience of feeding the baby with bottle acts as a bonding between baby and mother.
