It is good to be as prepared as possible for your new baby, from gear to tips. Some of us plan on formula feeding, and others plan on nursing. Regardless of your plan, many moms end up bottle feeding, from formula to breastmilk. No matter what your circumstance, having a plan in place and some bottle feeding tips will make things easier for you as a new parent.

Here are some tips to help you with bottle-feeding your newborn.

  1. Good bottles

There are so many bottles out there to choose from. Do your research and choose some that you think are a good fit for you.

There are a range of types, from glass bottles to those with disposable inserts. There are a variety of other things to consider, like bottles that can help to eliminate colic to different sizes and shapes. Bottle nipples are also available with different features, like flow rates, with slower flows for newborns.

2. Bottle accessories

Along with bottles, you will need a variety of accessories. You will want supplies to help with cleaning the bottles, like bottle brushes, drying racks, and so on. You may want to get other accessories out of convenience, like a bottle warmer.

3. Formula or breastmilk preparation

If you are feeding formula, you will need to find a formula that works best for your baby. Keep in mind that you may have to try several different formulas before finding one that works best for your baby.

You will also want a good system for preparing the formula. Prepare the mixture carefully so that you don’t end up with air bubbles in the formula. Warming the formula requires a special technique as well, so that the formula is a good temperature and does not end up too hot.

Breastmilk needs to be properly stored, and you will likely want to arrange a system of bags that are labeled by date. It also needs to be carefully thawed, and should never be shaken as it breaks down important proteins.

4. Bottle-feeding tips

Bottle feeding can always have its issues, from colic to many nighttime feedings. It is a good idea to be prepared with some good strategies, like paced bottle feeding. There may be different strategies depending on if you are formula feeding or feeding expressed milk.

5. Bottle-feeding accessories

There are some necessities and other things that can help make it easier to bottle-feed. For starters, you will want a good supply of burp cloths. Consider something like gripe water to help with gas issues.