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The number of bottles you will need will depend on how often you want to express your milk and how many feeds are to be stored for future use. You may find three or four bottles are sufficent fo your needs. Choose wide~necked round bottles with clear markings, which are easy to clean. They should have a protective cap, which should be sterilised then placed over the top of the teat. It is best to buy bottles of standard size, as your  baby will soon want more milk than tiny~first size bottles can hold. Good quality teats will last longer. You will need one to fit each bottle and a few extra to replace those in use, when they show signs of wear. Examine teats carefully each time you clean them after use. In the interests of safety, discard any which are worn or damaged,or have a hole which is too big for your baby to feed comfortably.
 
Care of teats and bottles:
It is very important to clean bottles and teats thoroughly afer use and to sterilise them,using one of the methods listed here.This is so to avoid the risk of infections such as gastroenteritis inflamation of the stomach intestines,and thrush, a common fungal infection.
Try to attend to bottles,teats and any breeding ground for harmful bacteria,if they can gain access to any residue;but they will also be attracted to a used teat and bottle which has contained diluted fruit juice or boiled drinking water.
 
To clean bottles:
  • Rinse bottle and teat in cold water.
  • Wash them in hot soapy water.
  • Use bottle brush to remove any milk deposits
  • Turn teats inside out to remove milk deposits
  • Squirt water through  the hole to check for blockages
  • Discard any teat showing wear and tear
  • Rinse bottle and teat well in clear water
Sterilise and store in a sterile container untill needed.
 
Sterilising methods:
There are several sterilising methods. The oldest method,you will need a large saucepan which is kept for this purpose. Place clean bottles and teats in the saucepan with enough water to cover them completely. Bring water to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.then leave saucepan untouched until bottles are needed for use.
 
Chemical method:
you will need sterilising tablets or liquid solution,and either a special sterilising unit,or a large rigid plastic container with a lid. Follow manufacture's instructions with regard to mixing soloution and length of time needed for sterilisation.
Steam sterilisation:
The clean bottles are placed with a specified amount of water in an electrically operated unit,which is designed to generate steam.
Microwave steam unit:
A steam unit, which has been designed specifically for use within the microwave oven. Important:such units are effective for sterilisation purposes only, Microwave ovens should not be used for heating/re~heating  milk in bottles, since 'hot spots'~capable of burning a baby's mouth and throat~frequently occur.
 
Care with bottle feeding
 
If you are giving your baby formula milk, you will need to follow the manufacturer's instructions exactly with regard to the amount of feed nourishment for his age.Too small a measure could lead to under nourishment, while too strong a feed can cause digestive problems. Consult your health visitor if you think your baby needs more milk, becomes slow in gaining weight, or still seems hungry after a feed.Hygiene is important, so follow advice given.