As a new parent, you’ll quickly discover that feeding time comes with its fair share of questions – and plenty of well-meaning advice from friends, family, and the internet! One topic that pops up time and again is what can (and can’t) safely go into your baby’s bottle – it’s totally normal to wonder if you can pop in things like medicine, supplements, or even a bit of food to make life easier.
The truth is, while it might seem like a clever shortcut to mix medicines or other bits and bobs into your baby’s bottle, it’s not the safest approach. This blog will cover everything new parents need to know about baby bottles, including what they’re used for, how they work, and what they can (and can’t) do.
We’ll also answer some common questions, such as “Can you put Calpol in baby’s bottle?”, “Can I add gripe water to my baby’s bottle?” and “Can you put a rusk in a baby’s bottle?”
What should be in a bottle?
When it comes to baby bottles, less really is more. Baby bottles are brilliant at what they’re designed for – holding breast milk or properly prepared formula. These provide all the essential nutrients that your little one will need in those early months. Once you start adding extras, you risk messing with their nutrition, upsetting their tummy, or even making feeding more stressful than it needs to be.
Medications in baby bottles
We’re often asked by parents, “Can you put Calpol in a baby’s bottle?” and “Can I put Nurofen in my baby’s bottle?” and we totally get why! When your little one is poorly and refusing medicine, mixing it into their bottle seems like the obvious solution. Unfortunately, it’s best not to. Here’s why:
- You can’t control the dose: If your baby doesn’t finish the entire bottle (which happens more often than not!), they won’t get the full dose of medicine they need. And if they drink it all too fast, they could get too much, far too quickly.
- Ibuprofen needs precise dosing: Nurofen must be measured carefully based on your baby’s weight and age – something that becomes impossible when it’s mixed with varying amounts of milk or formula.
- Milk can interfere with the medicine: Some ingredients in formula or breast milk can reduce how well the medicine works or cause it to break down in ways that aren’t safe.
- It might put them off feeding: Let’s face it – even as adults, medicine doesn’t taste great. If your baby starts associating their bottle with odd flavours, they might start refusing the bottle altogether.
- Ibuprofen can upset the stomach: It can be harsh on a baby’s tummy, and mixing it with milk may affect how it’s absorbed.
For your baby’s safety, it’s always best to give them their medication on its own – exactly as advised by your GP or health visitor.
Antibiotics and other prescription medications
Never pop prescription medication in your baby’s bottles. Antibiotics, in particular, need to be given at the right times – some on an empty tummy, some with food. Your doctor will tell you exactly how and when the antibiotics should be administered, and mixing them into a bottle without approval can affect how well the medicine works, potentially leading to complications with the infection.
Can I put gripe water in my baby’s bottle?
Many parents swear by gripe water for soothing colicky babies – although the NHS points out there’s not much evidence it actually works. Still, it’s a fair question: can you put gripe water in a baby’s bottle?
While gripe water is generally considered safe when given properly, mixing it into bottles isn’t recommended. It should only be given according to the package instructions – usually with the little dropper or spoon that comes with it.
When you add it to a bottle, you encounter the same problems as any other medication: you lose control over exactly how much your baby gets, and it can contain ingredients that really shouldn’t be mixed with milk or formula.
Can I put rusk in my baby’s bottle?
It’s not uncommon for new parents to wonder whether they can add a bit of rusk to their baby’s bottle to help them sleep through the night – but this is not a good idea! It’s incredibly risky and could cause multiple problems, such as:
- Choking: Even when rusks are dissolved, they can leave lumpy bits that pose choking risks! Bottle teats simply aren’t designed to handle solids safely.
- Unnecessary calories: Rusks can fill your baby up, making them less interested in breast milk or formula – the nutrition they actually need at this stage.
- Teething problems: Rusks contain sugars that can lead to tooth decay.
- Introducing solids too early: The NHS recommends starting solids at around six months. Adding rusks to bottles skips the important step of learning to eat from a spoon and may start the weaning process too soon – which can lead to various dietary and nutritional issues.
Safe ways to give medicine to your little one
When your baby needs medication, there are tried-and-tested methods that work much better than bottles:
Oral syringes
These give you the most accurate dosing. Draw up exactly what’s prescribed and gently squeeze it into your baby’s mouth, aiming for the inside of their cheek rather than straight down their throat.
Medicine droppers
Most liquid medicines come with their own droppers. Use these rather than borrowing from other medications – they’re designed specifically for accurate dosing.
Special medicine spoons
For babies who can sit up steadily, medicine spoons with clear measurements can be helpful. They often have a clever tubular design that helps control the flow.
Timing and technique tips
Try giving medicine when your baby is calm but alert. If they’re having a proper meltdown, they’re more likely to spit it out or choke. Some parents find success giving medicine just before a feed when babies are peckish and more likely to accept anything that goes near their mouth!
Remember, these early months of parenthood are full of learning curves for everyone involved. When you’re not sure about something, don’t hesitate to ask your GP or health visitor – they’re there to help, not judge!
Looking for more feeding and parenting advice? Check out our comprehensive guides on how to clean baby bottles and best baby-led weaning foods, or explore Munchkin’s complete baby feeding collection to find everything you need for stress-free mealtimes. For more real talk about the ups and downs of parenting, don’t miss the latest episodes of the StrollerCoaster podcast!
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