Whether you are bottle feeding expressed breast milk, formula, or a mix of both, the equipment side of it is straightforward once you know the few rules that matter. This guide covers teats, cleaning and storage, the practical mechanics rather than feeding decisions, which are best discussed with your child health nurse, midwife or GP.
Teat flow rates
Teats are sold by flow rate, usually slow, medium and fast, sometimes numbered by stage. Start newborns on the slowest flow available.
Move up based on your baby, not their age. The packaging suggests ages, but babies vary widely and many stay on a slower flow far longer than the box implies.
Signs the flow is too fast: gulping, milk spilling from the corners of the mouth, coughing or spluttering, pulling away, finishing very quickly.
Signs the flow is too slow: working hard with little coming through, taking a very long time, falling asleep mid-feed from effort, sucking in the teat.
Teat shape and material
Silicone teats are firmer, clearer and longer lasting. Latex is softer and more flexible but wears faster and can affect babies with a latex sensitivity.
Shapes vary: narrow, wide, orthodontic. There is no universally superior shape, and babies simply have preferences. Buy one or two of a type before committing to a full set.
Replace teats regularly. Check for thinning, stickiness, discolouration, swelling or tiny cracks, and replace at the first sign. Even undamaged teats should be replaced every few months.
Cleaning and sterilising
In Australia, the standard advice is to sterilise bottles, teats and rings until your baby is twelve months old.
- Rinse immediately after the feed, before milk dries.
- Wash in hot soapy water with a dedicated bottle brush and teat brush, getting inside the teat and into the neck threads.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Sterilise using steam, microwave, boiling or chemical solution. Follow your steriliser's instructions for timing.
- Store with clean hands, assembled or in a covered clean container.
A dishwasher on a hot cycle cleans well but does not replace sterilising.
Storage timings
These are the commonly cited Australian guidelines. Your health professional may advise differently for your circumstances, particularly for premature or unwell babies.
- Prepared formula: make up fresh for each feed where possible. If refrigerated, store at the back of the fridge, not the door, and use within 24 hours.
- A started feed: discard anything left over after about an hour. Do not return a partly drunk bottle to the fridge.
- Freshly expressed breast milk: can sit at room temperature for a limited period, refrigerates for several days, and freezes for months. The Australian Breastfeeding Association publishes current timings, so follow those.
- Thawed breast milk: use within 24 hours in the fridge and never refreeze.
Warming
Stand the bottle in warm water, or use a bottle warmer. Never microwave. Microwaves create hot spots that can scald a baby's mouth even when the bottle feels fine. Always shake and test a few drops on the inside of your wrist before feeding.
Frequently asked questions
How many bottles do I need?
Six to eight is a common starting point for exclusive bottle feeding, fewer if you are combination feeding. It is more about how often you want to wash up.
Do I need to sterilise water for making formula?
Follow the preparation instructions on the tin and the advice of your health professional, as guidance depends on your baby's age and circumstances.
My baby refuses the bottle. Is it the teat?
Sometimes. Flow rate, teat shape, milk temperature, who is offering it and the position can all matter. Your child health nurse can help you work through it.
Shop feeding essentials
Babyworth stocks bottles, teats, sterilisers and breast pumps, with staff at our Peakhurst showroom who can walk you through the options.
General information only and not medical advice. For feeding guidance specific to your baby, speak with your midwife, child health nurse or GP, or contact the Australian Breastfeeding Association.