How to…
Give a Baby a Bottle

You never know when you might find yourself responsible for a baby. In such situations, it’s handy to know a thing or two about feeding a baby.

  1. Sterilize the Bottles. Wash the bottle with soap and water then fill it half way with clean water. Place it upright in a microwave.  Microwave for a minute and a half.  Sterilize bottle ring and nipple in a microwave-safe bowl with just enough water to cover them.  Microwave for a minute and a half. Make sure you wait before moving the bottle, ring, and nipple. You don’t want to burn yourself taking them out of the microwave too quickly.
  1. Fill the Bottle with Formula. The Fitzgerald-Trouts bought canned formula at the grocery store.
  1. Warm Up the Formula. After some experimenting, the kids finally figured out that the best way to get the formula to the right temperature was to submerge the bottle of formula in warm water. Anything else gets it too hot. A good way to test the temperature of the formula is by squirting a small amount on your inner wrist—it should feel warm, not hot.
  1. Get in a Comfortable Position. Find a cozy spot where both you and the baby can be relaxed. Place the baby’s head in the crook of your arm and put your other arm underneath her. Lift the baby’s head slightly so she’s in a semi-upright position. The formula will go down better.
  1. Give the Baby the Warmed Bottle. Hold the bottle firmly and keep it mostly horizontal as you put it in her mouth. You don’t want her to get too much formula at once. Feeding a baby can take as long as twenty minutes, though she might get full sooner.