If you are feeding your baby formula, you should know how to do it correctly and could probably use some helpful tips. This includes knowing the proper amounts, how often to feed, and how to prepare formula safely. This is true whether your baby is exclusively formula-fed or you are supplementing breastfeeding with formula.
Since becoming a new mom can be stressful, the last thing you should worry about is whether you’re feeding your baby correctly. As a mom of three, I have fed my babies differently and often used formula during their first year.
This guide covers essential formula feeding tips to help you feel confident, prepared, and supported during every feeding.
Related: How to Prepare Formula for Your Baby
11 Formula Tips for New Moms
These practical tips can make formula feeding easier, safer, and more manageable for both you and your baby.
1. Buy Extra Bottles
When it comes to baby bottles, there are a couple of things to consider. Not all babies love every type of bottle, so it’s normal to experience trial and error when finding the right one. For this formula tip, consider buying extra baby bottles in different sizes once you’ve found the best one. This way, you can make bottles ahead of time and save time on washing them so frequently. Remember that you will feed your little one in the middle of the night for a while, so taking whatever shortcuts you can while you’re sleep-deprived is helpful.
2. Buy a Baby Brezza Formula Pro Advanced
A Baby Brezza formula maker is a product I didn’t even consider when I had my first child. It dispenses the powder, mixes it, and heats it for you. It eliminates the extra work of fixing a bottle for your baby. You fill it with water and formula, and Baby Brezza does the rest. There are options for different-sized bottles, and it provides the correct amount every time. They even have a Baby Brezza Formula Pro Mini for families with smaller spaces or those who want the same convenience while traveling. Additionally, the brand offers a range of other products, including warmers and sterilizers.
3. Take Burp Breaks
My formula-fed babies were very gassy; for this formula tip, try frequent burping to help relieve gas. Burping in between drinking from their bottle is excellent for their tummy and minimizes spit-up. Most of the time, your little one will give you cues as to when it’s a good time to take a quick burp break. Traditional bottle-feeding allows babies to drink at the same speed, but you can try paced bottle-feeding, which slows the feeding pace to more closely mimic breastfeeding.
4. Buy a Formula Pitcher
Prepared infant formula lasts in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. For this formula tip, I recommend using a formula pitcher if you have a small refrigerator or limited space. It makes mixing very easy; all you do is pour it into a bottle and warm it up when it’s time to feed.
5. Use a Warmer Instead of a Microwave
Never microwave the formula to heat it. Either buy a bottle warmer or submerge the bottle in hot tap water in a bowl or pot. Heating your baby’s formula in the microwave can lead to uneven heating, which causes hot spots. These can burn a baby’s throat or mouth.1
6. Measure Formula Exactly According to Instructions
When mixing infant formula with water, it’s crucial that you follow the directions on the packaging. Never dilute the formula with extra water or use less water. Diluting formula can lead to an imbalance of minerals or a disturbance of electrolytes that your baby needs for healthy growth and development. Extra water can also lead to severe health conditions, such as seizures from an electrolyte imbalance.2 As a mom of three, I learned how important exact measurements are for keeping feedings consistent and helping babies avoid tummy discomfort.
7. Pay Attention to the Nipples
Believe it or not, the nipples used on the bottles matter. Many of them are marked with numbers corresponding to specific stages of infancy. This directly relates to the flow of the nipple. For this formula tip, remember that using a fast-flow nipple isn’t ideal for a newborn, and a slow-flow nipple might cause issues for an older baby. A faster flow can lead to gas, overfeeding, or reflux in newborns, while a slower flow in older babies may lead to gas because the baby tries to suck harder to get the formula out. Follow the recommendations provided by the bottle brand that you choose.3
8. Use Safe Water for Formula Feeding
Most tap water is suitable for use in formula feeding. However, infants under three months, those born prematurely, and those with weakened immune systems require pure water. It’s essential to first boil the water in preparation for use in formula. If you like, you can also use filtered tap water or fluoride-free purified bottled water. Do not use hot tap water, as it may be too hot for the baby to consume. Always allow water to cool first.4
9. Learn Proper Storage
If you have a prepared bottle of formula, it is essential to know the best way to save it and when it is no longer safe for your little one. Bottles of infant formula must be used within two hours at room temperature or can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours. Anything beyond these times, dump the formula out and make a fresh bottle.5
10. Powdered vs Liquid Formula: What New Moms Should Know
For this formula tip, you can purchase either a powdered or ready-to-consume liquid formula. The liquid formula is intended to be given to your baby as is. You do not need to add water. Most of the time, it is ideal if you want to bring infant formula on the go. This type of formula must be consumed within one hour after the start of a feed or tossed. It is not recommended to refrigerate an open liquid formula. Ready-to-feed bottles that hold more than one serving can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. With powdered formula, they can last up to a month once opened.
11. Get PopYum Bottles
If you formula-feed your baby, a great bottle to have, especially when feeding on the go, is the PopYum bottle. This special bottle keeps the formula and water separated unit you are ready to mix and feed your baby. It’s extremely convenient and a game-changer for many families.
If you want to feed your baby formula, it’s important to know how to prepare it safely and use it correctly for your baby’s health. These formula tips are among the most helpful things new moms can learn, and we hope they set you up for success during feedings.
No matter how you choose to feed your baby, you’re doing a great job. With the right tools and knowledge, formula feeding can be simple, safe, and stress-free.
