Bottle Feeding Your Newborn: What All Parents Need to Know
Erin Moore, MSN, CPNP, IBCLC
This blog was written in paid partnership with Dr. Brown's.
Bottle feeding a newborn can be trickier than it sounds. Whether you're formula feeding, pumping breast milk, or doing a combination of both, it's normal to have questions about how much milk your baby needs, how often to feed, and whether you're doing it "right."
Here's the good news about bottle feeding: it is a skill that gets easier with time. This guide will walk you through the basics so you can feel more confident feeding your newborn from the start.
Choosing the Right Bottle for Your Newborn
There are many opinions on what bottle is the "best" for babies. The truth is that the best bottle is the one your baby can easily latch onto and drink out of without taking in too much air.
To narrow down the right bottle for your baby, I ask the following questions:
- Do you prefer a glass bottle or a plastic bottle?
- Do you want a venting system to help reduce air bubbles?
- Do you want a bottle with a narrow neck or a wider neck?
- Does your bottle offer a wide variety of nipple flow rate options?
There is a reason why Dr. Brown's bottles are recommended by pediatricians. With a narrow and wide option, plastic and glass, a variety of flow rates for preemies through toddlers, and a vent system proven to reduce colic, Dr. Brown's bottles are a great choice for every family.
When to Introduce a Bottle to a Newborn
Newborns can start bottle feeding from day one if needed. There's no single "right" way to feed a baby, and bottles can be used in many situations. This includes:
- Exclusive formula feeding
- Feeding pumped breast milk
- Combination feeding (breast milk and formula)
If you are planning on breastfeeding, many lactation consultants recommend introducing a bottle between 3-4 weeks of age while the baby's suck reflex is still present. Continue offering a bottle of pumped breast milk as a part of your daily routine to make sure your baby doesn't develop bottle refusal.
How Often Should a Newborn Eat?
Newborns usually don't need to eat very much, but they do need to eat often! Most babies eat every 2-3 hours, but all babies should be fed on demand and based on hunger cues.
Here are the common hunger cues in newborns:
- Smacking lips (even in sleep!)
- Licking lips
- Bringing hands to the mouth
- Moving head to the side
- Trying to latch onto anything
Late hunger cues include:
- Squirming
- Fussiness
- Crying
I like to remind parents that even though adults like routines, babies do not follow a schedule. It is normal for a baby to be hungry before they hit the 2-hour mark.
If your baby is showing hunger cues, make sure to feed them even if it hasn't been 2-3 hours. Once they start showing late hunger cues, a baby may become too agitated to properly eat, and this can add to the stress of feeding time.
How Much Should a Newborn Eat?
Whether breastfed or formula fed, newborns don't need to eat a lot in the early days. The amount increases as they grow.
Follow your baby's fullness cues to know when they have eaten enough:
- Slow their sucking or take longer pauses.
- Relax their hands and arms (from clenched fists to open hands).
- Turn their head away from the nipple.
- Push the bottle nipple out with their tongue.
- Fall asleep with a relaxed face and body.
- Stop swallowing even if milk is still flowing.
A typical bottle feed for a newborn in the first 48 hours might be anywhere from 5 ml to 1 ounce (30 ml). Speak with your pediatric provider about how much your baby should be eating.
How to Bottle Feed a Newborn
Newborns need to learn how to eat — that's why it's a good idea to start slow as newborns may have a harder time swallowing if the nipple flow is too fast. In the first few weeks, babies may need preemie or slow-flow nipples until they get the hang of feeding. Paced bottle feeding may also help your baby stay in control of the feeding and overfeeding. How to pace feed your baby:
- Hold your baby in a more upright position.
- Keep the bottle mostly horizontal.
- Allow frequent pauses during the feed when your baby slows down.
- Watch for signs your baby is full (turning away, slowing down).
This method is helpful for all babies and encourages responsive feeding, so babies learn to recognize their own hunger and fullness cues.
Safety Tips for Bottle Feeding
- Prepare formula exactly as directed. Do not add more or less water than listed on the formula container.
- Store prepared bottles properly according to the formula container’s label or the CDC's guidelines for breast milk bottles (https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breast-milk-preparation-and-storage/handling-breastmilk.html).
- Wash and sterilize bottles before the first use, clean after each use, and let them thoroughly dry.
- Avoid feeding baby by propping the bottle up on objects.
- Never force your baby to finish a bottle. Follow their hunger and fullness cues.
Bottle feeding can feel challenging, but remember that both you and your baby are learning a new skill. It takes practice and patience. Never hesitate to reach out to your pediatric provider or a lactation professional if you need help!
About the Author
Erin Moore, MSN, CPNP, IBCLC, is the founder of Baby Feeding Coach and Fed With Love, a trusted feeding education hub for parents navigating everything from newborn feeding to family meals. With over 15 years of experience in pediatrics, Erin is a pediatric nurse practitioner, lactation counselor, and mom of two boys who understands both the science and the emotional weight of feeding our family.
Erin specializes in helping families feel confident with breastfeeding, formula feeding, starting solids, and toddler eating, without judgment, fear, or internet overwhelm. Her approach is evidence-based, practical, and deeply supportive, meeting parents where they are and helping them choose what works best for their family.