5 Of The Best Bottle Feeding Advantages

This post is all about bottle feeding advantages.

I fully believe that fed is best. There is no question about it. And how you choose to feed your baby is no one else’s business but your own.

But for some reason, there is still a big stigma around bottle feeding and formula usage. There are many reasons why a mom chooses to use formula, including her mental health. But at the end of the day, fed is best. 

As a mom who fed both of her babies with formula, I feel very strongly about bottle feeding. For that reason, we will be talking about all of the bottle feeding advantages and the best bottle feeding tips.

Bottle Feeding Tips

1. Flexibility

One of my favorite bottle feeding advantages is the flexibility it gives you. This is a big deal when you are a newly postpartum mom or a mom with a toddler. 

When you think about the convenience and flexibility of bottle feeding, the possibilities are endless:

• Your baby can be fed at any time by anyone.
• Your partner is able to help you with feedings overnight. 
• Someone can feed the baby while you are with your toddler.
• You can send a container of formula to daycare and they can portion it out appropriately.
• Scheduling feedings can be easier. Formula fed babies can usually go approximately 3 hours between bottles, excluding cluster feeding as a newborn.

2. Tracking

Formula can be quantified, which is why it is another top bottle feeding advantage.

This is not a necessity but it is always nice to know how much your baby is consuming. This can help give you peace of mind that your baby is getting enough food. 

But keep in mind that every baby is different and the amount they eat depends on a number of factors including size and age. 

Tracking your baby’s bottles is also helpful if your baby is in daycare or is being cared for by other family or friends. It will allow you to know about how much and how often your baby should be fed while they are not in your care. 

3. You Don’t Have To Alter Your Diet

You do not need to worry about altering your diet for allergies if you are feeding your baby formula. Moms can enjoy eating and drinking as they please regardless of any foods their baby cannot tolerate.

But keep in mind babies can still be sensitive to ingredients in formula too. For that reason, you may need to work with your baby’s pediatrician to find a formula that is best for your baby.

4. Breastfeeding and Bottle Feeding Can Be Combined

Many people associate bottle feeding with baby formula, but breastmilk can be fed to babies in bottles too!

There are many options for feeding your baby but ultimately moms get to decide what works best for their baby. Combo feeding is a great option when moms want the flexibility to have another person feed their baby or their baby goes to daycare. It is also possible for babies to be “topped off” with formula after breastfeeding if the mom is not able to produce enough. 

All of this to say, another great bottle feeding advantage is that it is not limited to just formula feeding.

5. Postpartum Mental Health

Postpartum mental health is something that is not talked about nearly enough. But it is so important and can play a major role in deciding how to feed your baby.

There are women, myself included, who choose to feed their babies formula because of their own mental health. 

Postpartum emotions can honestly feel like a rollercoaster. Your hormones drastically change after birth causing a wide range of emotions including happiness, exhaustion, overwhelm, anxiety, sadness and so many more.

For many women, bottle feeding takes away a layer of anxiety that breastfeeding would cause. This is why I consider it to be one of the many bottle feeding advantages.

Bottle Feeding Chart

Newborn Feeding Tips

• Burp baby frequently. For newborns, it’s recommended that you burp your baby every few ounces or so. For older babies, you can typically burp halfway through and then after the feeding.
• Always have a burp cloth on hand. Babies have a tendency to spit up a lotttt so this is a must in the first few months.
• Alternate sides for feedings (bottle feedings too!) This can help to prevent torticollis in your baby and keep his neck muscles loose. But if your baby does develop torticollis like mine did, do not panic! Physical therapy works wonders for us.
• Hold baby upright during feeding. This is especially important for babies with reflux but keeping your baby’s head and chest above his stomach is helpful for consumption and digestion.
• Pre-fill bottles with water. This will be a little more difficult in the beginning when your newborn may be cluster feeding but anything to cut down on time when you have a crying baby in your arms is a win in my book!
• Use a formula dispenser. This is one of my formula feeding essentials! I recommend measuring out the formula in a container like this ahead of time. You will be amazed at how much time and aggravation you save.
• Fill a basket with items for overnight feeds. Think bottles, formula, pump parts, burp cloth, snacks (for you), and anything else you might need overnight. This will make middle of the night feeds quicker and less frantic when the baby is crying and you are running around trying to grab everything.
• Give yourself grace! This is a must as a new mom and just a mom in general. Keep going mama – you are doing amazing!