Infant Feeding
Formula Feeding Basics
Safe formula feeding from the first bottle to 12 months: making up fresh feeds, sterilising, amounts by age and a simple feeding log.
€14.99Buy
Infant feeding courses, from first feeds to first foods
Step-by-step help with bottle feeding, expressing, mixing breast and bottle, going back to work and starting solid foods, following HSE advice.
- 6 courses
- Tools in every course
- Certificate included
However you feed your baby, the basics are worth getting right. The HSE recommends breast milk only for the first 6 months, then continuing to breastfeed alongside solid foods for 2 years or more if you can. If you use formula, the HSE says follow-on formula is not needed or recommended. Make each bottle fresh, using water that has boiled and cooled in the kettle for no more than 30 minutes so it is still at least 70°C, and throw away any made-up feed after 2 hours.
Weaning usually begins at around 6 months, and never before 17 weeks. A baby is ready when they can sit up with steady head control, reach for food and bring it to their mouth, and swallow food rather than push it back out. Chewing fists, wanting extra milk or waking at night are not signs of readiness. The HSE advises introducing common allergens such as dairy, hard-boiled egg and peanut early in weaning, one at a time, and then keeping them in your baby's diet.
All breastfed babies, and formula-fed babies taking less than 300ml of formula a day, should have 5 micrograms of vitamin D every day from birth to 12 months. Your public health nurse, GP, HSE lactation consultants and voluntary groups such as La Leche League, Cuidiú and Friends of Breastfeeding all offer feeding support. Our courses sit alongside those services, with feed logs, prep cards, allergen logs and planners you can share with anyone who helps with feeds.
All infant feeding courses
Infant Feeding
Combination Feeding Education
Breast and bottle together, done calmly: plan feeds, protect your milk supply, learn paced bottle feeding and know when to call your public health nurse.
€17.99Buy
Infant Feeding
Expressing & Storing Breast Milk
Hand expressing and pumping explained, with a pumping planner, a storage times chart, milk labels and a cleaning checklist.
€17.99Buy
Infant Feeding
Returning to Work While Breastfeeding
Keep breastfeeding after maternity leave with a routine that fits your job, a calm 5-minute expressing audio and a milk hygiene checklist.
€14.99Buy
Infant Feeding
Starting Solid Foods
From readiness signs at around 6 months to the first fortnight of foods, with an allergen log, a baby food diary and a gagging vs choking card.
€17.99Buy
Infant Feeding
Baby-Led Weaning Education
Finger foods made calm and safe: shapes and sizes, gagging vs choking and a first foods tracker, from around 6 months to family meals.
€17.99Buy
Pick the course for your feeding stage
- Formula feeding: Formula Feeding Basics covers choosing formula, making up feeds safely, sterilising and responsive bottle feeding.
- Mixing breast and bottle: Combination Feeding Education explains how to add bottle feeds while protecting your milk supply.
- Expressing: Expressing and Storing Breast Milk covers hand expressing, pumps, storage and labelling.
- Going back to work: Returning to Work While Breastfeeding helps you plan a pumping routine and talk to your employer.
- Weaning with spoon-fed and finger foods: Starting Solid Foods includes a first 2 weeks food plan and an allergen log.
- Baby-led weaning: Baby-Led Weaning Education focuses on safe shapes and sizes and how to tell gagging from choking.
What the infant feeding tools do
- Formula prep card and sterilising checklist: the HSE steps in order, ready to stick inside a kitchen cupboard.
- Feed logs: record times and amounts, which is useful when more than one person shares feeds.
- Breast milk storage chart and labelling sheet: how long milk keeps in the fridge or freezer, and space to date every bottle.
- Readiness signs checker: the three signs that a baby is ready for solid foods.
- Allergen introduction log and gagging versus choking card: track each new allergen and know what to do at mealtimes.
When to call your public health nurse, GP or 112
Speak to your public health nurse or GP if your baby:
- has fewer wet or dirty nappies than usual, or is sleepy and hard to wake for feeds
- is not gaining weight as expected, or often brings up large amounts of feed
- gets a rash, swelling or tummy upset after trying a new food
Call 112 or 999 if your baby has swelling of the lips, face or tongue, noisy or difficult breathing, or becomes floppy or pale after eating. If your baby is choking and cannot cough, cry or breathe, start choking first aid and call 112 or 999.
Babies born early, and babies with eczema or a known food allergy, may need a different approach to weaning: talk to your public health nurse or GP before you begin.
Infant feeding courses: your questions
When should I start weaning?
The HSE advises starting solid foods at around 6 months, not before 17 weeks, and not later than 26 weeks. Babies born early usually start at a corrected age of around 5 to 6 months, so ask your public health nurse or GP.
Do I need follow-on formula?
No. The HSE says follow-on formula is not needed or recommended. First infant formula is suitable for the whole first year, and cow's milk can become the main drink from age 1.
Can I use bottled water to make up formula?
If you use bottled water, it must be still water and it must be boiled first, just like tap water. The HSE advises not using water labelled natural mineral water.
Does my baby need vitamin D drops?
Yes, if your baby is breastfed or takes less than 300ml of formula a day. The HSE recommends 5 micrograms of vitamin D every day from birth to 12 months, using a vitamin D-only product.
Should I delay foods like egg and peanut?
No. The HSE says delaying common allergens can increase the risk of allergy. Introduce them one at a time from around 6 months, starting with dairy, hard-boiled egg and peanut, and keep offering each one about 3 times a week. Never give whole or chopped nuts to children under 5.
What should a baby not have before their first birthday?
Honey, added salt, sugar and stock cubes, juice or squash, and rice drinks. Cow's milk is fine in cooking from 6 months but should not be the main drink until age 1. The courses list the full HSE advice.
Official sources
Feel ready for the next feed
Choose the course for your stage and print the prep card or readiness checker before the next feed or first meal.