During the first few weeks, burp your baby after every 2 fl oz of formula. This helps get rid of swallowed air, reducing the chances of your baby spitting up. Most babies need less frequent burping as they get older.

You will know your baby is full when he or she stops sucking continuously. Usually, as babies get full, they pause frequently during feeding. Also, your baby may spit out the nipple, turn his or her head away, or fall asleep when full. Throw away any formula left in the bottle after you have fed your baby because bacteria can grow in the leftover formula.

Feeding is a good time for social contact with your baby, so don't rush. Look into your baby's eyes and talk or sing while you are giving the bottle. This contact helps your baby feel close to you and is important for healthy growth and development. Wear a short-sleeved shirt to give more skin-to-skin contact. Sit in a comfortable chair with your arms supported on pillows.

Other concerns

• How to prevent tooth decay. When your baby is 6 months old, your doctor may prescribe fluoride drops if your water supply contains less than 0.3 parts per million (ppm) of fluoride. Your local water department or supplier can tell you how much fluoride is in your water supply. After your baby's teeth start coming in, it is a good idea to clean them after the last formula feeding at night. Use a soft cloth or gauze pad at first. As more teeth come in, clean them with a soft toothbrush, using only water for the first few months. Talk with your doctor about other ways to prevent tooth decay in your young child. For more information, see the topics Teething and Basic Dental Care.
• When to offer liquids from a cup. You can start offering liquids from a cup when your baby is about 6 months old. But your baby should continue to get nutrition largely from breast milk or formula until he or she is 12 months old. After that, allowing your child to continue drinking from a bottle may lead to problems such as bottle mouth tooth decay.
• Whether to give a vitamin D supplement. If you are bottle-feeding formula and your baby drinks at least 16 fl oz each day, he or she does not need a vitamin D supplement.³ (Babies who are breast-fed exclusively need vitamin D supplements before 2 months of age.)