Cuddles and comfort are as important for you baby as feeding is. Don't let anyone tell you that your bottle-fed baby won't bond with you. There is no reason why bottle -feeding can't be a warm and loving experience. If it's summer you can let your baby feel your bare skin. Make sure that you are comfortable. Feeding your baby in an awkward position will only compound the aches and pains most new mothers feel.

Never feed your baby while he or she is lying down. The milk can go up the tiny tubes and into baby's ears causing ear infections. Cradling your baby in your arms is the easiest position. Don't prop the bottle and leave a young baby to feed itself; it is dangerous.

To protect your clothes and your baby's clothes, remember to put a bib on the baby. Younger babies need to be burped two or three times during each feed. They find it hard to burp naturally on their own. If your baby is crying, screaming and squirming during a feed he or she probably needs to be winded. Sit your baby up (making sure to support the head if he or she is a newborn.) Rub baby's back gently in round circular movements until he burps. This may take a while. Wind usually becomes less of a problem as a baby gets older. When your baby has finished his bottle tip any left over milk out. Bacteria from your baby's mouth can be introduced into the milk and multiply quickly. If your baby is a newborn (under 3 months) tip the milk out within twenty minutes after the feed.