Bottle Feeding Basics: Sterilising, Temperature and Flow

For the first few months, sterilise bottles and teats after every use. Boiling, steam sterilisers and cold-water tablets all work — pick whichever you will actually keep doing at 2 a.m.

Body temperature is the target. Test a few drops on the inside of your wrist: it should feel neutral, not warm. Never use a microwave — it heats unevenly and creates hot spots.

Too slow and your baby tires before finishing. Too fast and they gulp, splutter and take in air. If feeds are a struggle, change the flow before you change the formula.

Hold the bottle level rather than tipped up, and let your baby pause. It mimics breastfeeding rhythm and cuts down on wind.