PL T1.01Feeding in Arms
The same adult holds the infant in a quiet place for each breast or bottle feeding, follows the infant's hunger and fullness signs, and talks with them.
Safety
- Hold every infant for bottle feeding; never prop a bottle, and never put an infant to bed with a bottle (Caring for Our Children, Standard 4.3.1).
- One adult feeds one infant at a time.
- Do not warm bottles in a microwave; use warm water and test the temperature on the inside of your wrist.
- Label breast milk and formula with the child's name and date, and store and discard it as licensing requires.
- Feed only the milk or formula the family has provided or authorized; no juice, cow's milk, or honey before 12 months (AAP).
Presentation
- 1
Watch for the infant's hunger signs: turning the head and opening the mouth, sucking on hands, fussing. Prepare the bottle before picking the infant up.
- 2
Kneel beside the infant, say their name, and tell them: 'You are hungry. I am going to pick you up for your milk.' Wait a moment, then slide your hands under them and lift slowly.
- 3
Sit in the same chair as every feeding. Hold the infant semi-upright in the crook of your arm with their head higher than their stomach.
- 4
Show the infant the bottle and touch the nipple to their lower lip. Wait for the infant to open their mouth; opening the mouth is the infant's part and the point of interest.
- 5
Hold the bottle close to level so the infant sucks to get milk and can pause. Look at the infant and talk or stay quiet with them; do not use a phone or talk across the room.
- 6
When the infant slows, turns away, or lets go, stop and offer a break. Hold them upright on your shoulder to burp, and tell them what you are doing.
- 7
Offer the bottle again once. If they turn away, the feeding is finished; do not coax them to empty the bottle.
- 8
Tell the infant you will put them down, then carry them back to the movement mat and lay them on their back. Record the amount and time as licensing requires.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- The infant places their hands on the bottle or breast while feeding
- The infant holds the bottle with both hands while the adult keeps holding the infant
- Once solid foods begin at about 6 months, milk feeds continue in arms and first tastes move to the weaning table
Control of error
None in the material; the adult watches the infant's signs (mouth open, sucking, turning away, relaxed hands) and adjusts the pace or stops.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Opens their mouth when the bottle or breast touches their lip instead of having it pushed in
- Settles in the adult's arms when carried to the feeding chair
- Shows clear signs of being full, such as turning away or letting go, and the adult stops
- Places hands on the bottle or breast during feeds
Guide note
At school, a primary caregiver feeds the same infants where staffing allows. Parents who breastfeed are welcome to nurse in the same quiet chair. At home, the same routine applies: one chair, no screens, the infant sets the pace.