Baby feeding and weaning

A breast pump allows you to collect your milk to be fed when you're not around, or when you're trying to sleep. Make sure you refrigerate it if you want to store it for up to 5 days.

Choose from manual or electric pumps. Manual pumps are best for occasional use, electric are better for regular pumping. Take a look at the silent Elvie wearable pumps for a really convenient (and silent) option.

With some clever hidden feeding features, such as nursing layers and cut-out holes, Tu offers a range of maternity clothing that’s both pretty and practical. Helping to make nursing that little bit easier.

Once baby has had a feed, they’ll likely need to be burped, or winded. You can burp baby by putting them over your shoulder, or sitting them on your lap, and gently rubbing or patting their back, It’s useful to have a muslin square in case they bring any milk back up.

• If you are unable to breastfeed, bottle feeding is still a good way to give the baby all the essential nutrients.
• To bottle feed, you'll need to have several bottles and teats ready for multiple feeds.
• Make sure to sterilise them before every use.
• To prepare the formula, carefully follow the instructions on the packaging.
• Any formula you make needs to be kept chilled and used within 24 hours.

• First, make sure you're comfortable.
• Hold baby in your arms but raise their body to an upright position, supporting their head with your hand.
• Brush the bottle's teat against their lips, letting them draw it in when their mouth opens.
• Hold the bottle up to keep the teat full.
• If the teat goes flat, gently poke your little finger into the corner of baby's mouth to release the suction.

• Typically made from silicone or latex, the choice of teat will depend on your baby's preference. Whilst latex is considered more natural due to it's soft and flexible material, silicone is more durable.
• There are 2 main teat shapes - bell-shaped and natural.
• A preferred choice for newborns, bell-shaped teats generally have a slower flow.
• Natural teats mimic the shape of the nipple and breast. Best for when transitioning from breast to bottle.
• Teats should be changed if damaged or bitten.

• Takes both silicone and latex teats.
• Due to the narrower neck, can be trickier to clean and fill.

• They normally only take silicone teats.
• Due to the size of the bottle opening, wide neck bottles are naturally easier to fill and clean.

• Specially designed to reduce the amount of air swallowed whilst feeding.
• They usually have a vented base, tubes or bags that help to do this.
• Can be either a standard or wide-neck shape. Therefore, which teat material it takes, will depend on its shape.

• A fast and no-fuss method, UV sterilisers are lightweight and easy to use.
• This chemical-free method does not need heat or water and hence requires no cooling or drying time.
• Leave it on for 3 mins or until the manufacturer advises.
• Don't forget to read the manufacturer’s instructions before you begin. 

• Nowadays, this is the most common method which comes in the form of either an electric or microwave steam steriliser.
• Regardless of which you choose, always read the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Ensure the openings of the bottle and teats are facing down.
• The manufacturer will say how long the sterilising process should be and also how long you can leave the equipment in the steriliser unused before they need sterilising again.

Your baby will usually be ready to wean when they're about 6 months old. By this point, they should be able to hold their head up, steady and sit up on their own or with minimal support.

Other signs your baby could be ready is them showing interest in the food you're eating, putting their fists in their mouth or wanting feeds more often, even if they're getting larger feeds throughout the day.

No more 'here comes the aeroplane' - this method leaves your baby to their own devices, letting them feed themselves. The idea is to give your baby small chunks of food, or 'finger food' that they can hold in their hands rather than being spoon-fed.

It's messy, yes, but it helps them discover different textures and allows them to pick and choose what they want to eat and how much. You must keep an eye on your little one while they do this though!

Arguably the more traditional method, this is where you would spoon-feed your baby smooth, mashed foods and purees before introducing more textures and moving onto solids.

With this way of weaning, you have more control over how much, and what they are eating - ideal to ensure a balanced diet. There's also a lot less mess and is generally quicker too - great for busy mums on the go.