When you welcome a baby into your life, it’s completely natural for new worries to surface. You read, you research, and you do your best to prepare because this stage, while magical, can also be filled with questions. And whether you’re a first-time parent or navigating life with your second little one, those early days always bring something new.
To help you feel confident and calm, we’re sharing simple, expert-informed guidance on how to bottle-feed a newborn.
Is it okay to bottle-feed a newborn?
During the first weeks of life, breastfeeding is usually recommended. But if you anticipate returning to work, studying, or simply need more flexibility in your routine, introducing a bottle with expressed breast milk around 3–4 weeks can be a gentle way to help your baby adapt.
If you’re pumping, try not to skip feedings. Using a breast pump at your usual feeding times helps maintain your milk supply. Once your milk increases around day three, you may even have extra to freeze for future bottle feedings.
How to hold a newborn for bottle-feeding
Position plays an important role for both you and baby. Hold the bottle with one hand and support your baby’s head with the other, keeping their head slightly higher than their tummy. This helps reduce air intake and minimizes spit-up. Keeping the bottle tilted so the teat stays filled with milk also helps prevent swallowing air.
Whoever is feeding the baby should be comfortable too. Support your back, relax your shoulders, and feel free to place a small cushion under the arm holding the bottle. Comfort for you means a calmer feeding for your baby.
And of course, choosing the right bottle matters. Suavinex bottles are designed for newborns, with teats sized specifically for their tiny mouths. As your baby feeds, gently guide the teat to their lips and pause occasionally to avoid collapse or blockages.
Don’t forget to burp your baby halfway through the feeding and again afterward by holding them upright against your shoulder and softly patting their back. To promote balanced development (and give your back a break), you can alternate the side you hold your baby on from one feeding to the next.
Three recommended positions for bottle-feeding your newborn
1. Cradle position
Rest your baby along one arm while supporting their head, tilting them slightly back. Make sure their chin doesn’t press into your chest, which can make latching onto the teat more difficult.
2. Sitting position
Sit your baby upright on your lap with their back resting comfortably against your chest. This position can help reduce spit-up and gives you great control of the bottle angle.
3. Bent-leg position
Sit your baby on your lap facing you, with their feet against your stomach. This upright, connected position is wonderful for eye contact and helps support digestion.
If you ever feel unsure, your pediatrician is always the best person to guide you.
How often should a newborn be bottle-fed?
Feeding schedules vary because every baby is unique, but here’s a general reference for the first month:
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8–10 feedings per day
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Day 1–2: 5–7 ml per feeding
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Day 3: 22–27 ml
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1 week: 45–60 ml
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2 weeks: 80–120 ml
Your pediatrician can help determine what’s ideal for your baby based on their development and needs.
At Suavinex, we design bottles for every stage—always BPA-free and crafted with your baby’s safety and comfort in mind. No matter where you are in your parenting journey, we’re here to support you with products and expert-backed guidance you can trust.
Sources
How to bottle-feed: position, temperature, Kassing method,… – Enfamil
6 keys to bottle-feeding correctly – Being parents