The choice to bottle feed is a very personal one. It is increasingly difficult not to feel guilty when told "breast is best!" However no woman should be made to feel inadequate for not choosing to breast feed. Sometimes a woman finds breast feeding is not for her and bottle feeding is the better option. Ultimately a happy Mother means a happy baby.

If you decide to bottle feed then you need to read and consider the following information to provide the best and healthiest care for your baby.

Formulas can be ready mixed in cartons or in powder form ready to mix up at home. You must carefully follow the instructions, NEVER try to add more powder to fill baby up for longer. If your baby isn't satisfied after a feed you may need to consider formulas designed for hungrier babies. Always follow the manufacturers instructions precisely when mixing the formulas.

It can be trial and error finding the best formula for your baby. When you have found one that your baby enjoys, by following the instructions, you will be able to ensure the correct daily nutritional requirements are met. Some babies are dairy intolerant and have reactions to cow based formulas. There are infant formulas made to suit such allergies, usually soya or goats milk based.

When bottle feeding the most vital consideration is sterilising. You must clean all bottles and teats and then sterilise them before use. There are a wide range of sterilising options from cold water solutions to sterilising machines and microwaveable equipment. You can purchase sterilisers online at a cheaper price and read what other people think from their reviews.

If your baby has used a bottle NEVER be tempted to refill the bottle without washing and sterilising it. There is a real health risk from old formula and dirty bottles as milk easily forms bacteria which can make your baby very unwell.

You must never share bottles, either from a sibling or from another mother. Never mix two different brands of formula together, they are carefully balanced for nutritional requirements. Diluting or adding more formula than recommended is also dangerous. Some people believe adding more powder helps baby sleep better, this is NOT a safe thing to do.

Always check the temperature of formula before feeding to your baby, it should just be warm, never hot. Be careful if using a microwave as formula can heat up very quickly depending on the wattage of the machine.

Children under one should not be given cow's milk as they cannot digest it. This means they do not get the necessary nutrition and can lead to allergies and eczema.

If you discover your baby isn't gaining the normal amount of weight then speak to your Doctor. They may recommend a different formula or rule out any underlying health issue which may be the cause.

Although it is safe to freeze breast milk you must NEVER FREEZE formula, this simply causes a deficiency in the nutritional quality your baby receives.

Breast feeding may be best for some but for others, the bottle will do just fine.