Don't be afraid to ask the parents what type of milk they want their baby to have. Even though we say that babies drink milk, this milk is not the kind you buy in the dairy section of the grocery store necessarily. Babies less than one year old are unable to digest cow's milk. They can only drink formula or breast milk.
Here's how to bottle-feed the little one:
1. Gather all of the supplies you will need: bottle, bib and cloth diaper or small towel to drape over your shoulder when you burp the baby.
2. Prepare and warm the bottle as instructed by the parents. To warm the bottle, place it in a pan of water that has been heated on the low setting. It might seem like a good shortcut to warm the bottle in the microwave, but the way a microwave heats from the inside out, the liquid gets too hot in the center and could burn the baby's mouth. Also, many disposable bottles could burst in a microwave.
3. After you believe the bottle liquid is warm (about 4 - 5 minutes), test it by shaking a few drops on your wrist. If it feels "lukewarm" (neither hot nor cold) it is ready.
4. Find a comfortable place to sit where you can rest the baby on your lap (a chair with an arm rest works well). Cradle the baby's head in the bend of your elbow, slightly higher than the baby's shoulders.
5. Tie a bib around the baby's neck to protect her clothing from spit-up or drool.
6. Place the bottle in the baby's mouth, tipping the bottle up so the formula fills the nipple. Tipping the bottle also keeps the baby from sucking air, which could cause her to have a stomach ache.
7. After the baby has finished about half of the bottle, hold the baby upright, laying the baby's head on your shoulder.
8. Tap the baby's back until you hear a burp. The baby may burp up a little formula. That's okay! If you have trouble getting a burp, lay the baby on her tummy across your lap and gently tap her back.
9. After the baby burps, give her the rest of the bottle, then try to get her to burp again. It is important that the baby burps, otherwise she could get gas pain and cry from the discomfort.
