Bottle-Feeding

Topic Overview

Is this topic for you?

This topic discusses using a bottle to feed formula to your baby. To learn about using a bottle to feed breast milk to your baby or to learn more about the benefits of breast-feeding, see the topic Breast-Feeding.

When is bottle-feeding with formula the best choice for your baby?

Your reasons for wanting to use formula and bottle-feed your baby are personal. You are the only one who can make the best choice for you and your baby. If you are having a hard time breast-feeding and are trying to decide whether to switch to using formula, know that the first few weeks of breast-feeding are the most challenging. You may want to talk to your doctor or join a breast-feeding support group to help you make your choice.

While breast milk is the ideal food for babies, your baby can get good nutrition from formula. Formulas are designed to give babies all the calories and nutrients they need until they are 6 months old. (Babies born early or with health problems may drink formula even longer.) After your baby is 4 to 6 months old, you can start to give some solid foods.

What are your choices for infant formula?

There are many types of infant formulas for you to choose from. Most of the time, parents start with formulas made from cow’s milk, such as Enfamil, Similac, and Good Start.

Talk to your doctor before you try other types of formulas, including:

• Soy formulas, such as ProSobee and Isomil. These formulas are good for babies who have trouble with cow's milk formulas. They are also used by parents who are vegetarians and don't want to feed their baby animal products.
• Lactose-free formulas, such as LactoFree. These formulas are used for babies who are lactose-intolerant, which means that they can't digest lactose, a natural sugar found in foods with cow’s milk. Most of the time, lactose intolerance starts in later childhood or adulthood. It is rare in babies.
• Hypoallergenic or protein hydrolysate formulas, such as Nutramigen, Pregestimil, or Alimentum. These are for babies who have trouble with cow's milk and soy formulas.

Formulas for toddlers, such as Enfamil Next Step, are also an option. These formulas have extra nutrients, and you can use them to help your child make the switch to whole milk. But healthy babies and toddlers don't really need them.

When is it okay to start feeding your baby solid food and whole milk?

You can start feeding your baby some solid foods when he or she is about 6 months old but no younger than 4 months old. Bit by bit, give your baby new foods.

After your baby is 12 months old, he or she can start to drink whole-fat cow's milk. Other kinds of milk, such as goat’s milk, skim milk, 1% milk, or 2% milk don't have as many nutrients as whole-fat milk. It is best not to give your baby these kinds of milk if you can give whole-fat milk instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Learning about bottle-feeding:	Why might I choose to bottle-feed my baby? What types of infant formulas are there? How much formula should I feed my baby?
Promoting development:	How do I feed my baby formula?
Concerns:	When should I call a doctor? What kinds of routine checkups does my baby need? Is it safe to use tap water for mixing formula?

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Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH	Last Updated: August 16, 2007
Medical Review:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics
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