Feeding Techniques

Hold your baby close to you, in the nursing position. Support your baby’s head during feedings, keeping it slightly higher than her tummy. This aids in digestion and helps avoid ear infections.

• Touch your baby’s cheek or upper lip with the nipple. She may open her mouth and turn toward it.

• Hold the bottle at a 45º angle, and keep it steady so she can get the right suction.

• To keep your baby from swallowing air, the nipple should be full of formula, and your baby shouldn’t suck on an empty bottle or drain the bottle.

• Do not prop your baby’s bottle to let your baby feed on her own. Your baby loves her feedings, but she loves being in your arms, too. Propping the bottle could cause your baby to choke, or may lead to ear infections.

• Your baby will usually swallow a little air when she’s eating. Be sure to give your baby a chance to burp when she takes a break, or at the end of her feeding.

• Keeping your baby’s head slightly higher than her tummy may help prevent a common cause of ear infections. When your baby lies flat while taking her bottle, liquid in her mouth may drain into the ear canal and may result in an ear infection.