Bottle feeding with either expressed breastmilk or infant formula, both require parents to be clear on current guidance to maintain child health and safety.  

For our formula feeding parents there is no perfect formula milk, the current NHS guidance is that baby's are given first infant formula from birth to the age of one. Follow on milks or specialist milks are not recommended unless under strict direction of a medical professional. For current guidance please see the below evidence-based resources. 

• First Steps Nutrition - Infant milks - Information for parents & carers.
• NHS Types of formula  - Information about the various types of formula. 

How to prepare a formula bottle safely has changed over the last years and the NHS recommends that all formula feeds are made as required and not stored in fridges. The NHS do not recommend prep machines as they do not offer the highest standard of formula preparation safety. For current guidance please see the below evidence-based resources. 

• NHS – Making up baby formula  - Information on how to make up baby formula. 
• UNICEF – Bottle feeding - A guide to bottle feeding. 
• NHS - Bottle feeding advice  - Information and advice on bottle feeding. 

How to prepare an expressed breast milk bottle safely is essential for the hygiene of the feed and also to protect the live properties in the breastmilk. For current guidance please see the below evidence-based resources. 

• Feeding baby expressed breastmilk - Information on feeding baby expressed breastmilk. 
• NHS - Bottle feeding advice - Information and advice on bottle feeding. 

Where to access help locally and nationally: 

La Leche Helpline (8am-11pm, 365 days a year): 0345 120 2918   

National Breastfeeding helpline (09:30-21:30, 365 days a year): 0300 100 0212 

BHRUT Infant Feeding Team Email:  bhrut.infantfeeding@nhs.net