Formula feeding

Using the Bottle

Introducing a Cup

Introducing Table Food

Weaning

Breastfeeding

Using the Bottle

Allow the infant to tell the adult when a feeding is over. Babies have an natural ability to obtain the right amount of food if the adult will allow them that privilege. Babies will change from day to day in the amount of formula they want and need. Allow them to communicate that to the feeder. When a baby closes her mouth, turns her head away, fusses, and refuses to have the nipple replaced, consider the feeding ended and discard any formula remaining in the bottle. Formula left over after a feeding can harbor bacteria, which will grow and then be consumed by the infant if the bottle is reused.

Always hold an infant when feeding. Never prop a bottle. Infants need to be able to see the face of the person feeding them, they need to be able to communicate and enjoy the feeding and they need to be able to get the bottle out of their mouth if they are choking or gagging. None of this is possible with a propped bottle.

Never offer an infant honey or corn syrup. There have been several incidents of serious food poisoning resulting from honey and corn syrup given to infants with immature digetive systems.