The biggest challenges we see with feeding babies aren’t always the “big things” — but instead the little things parents don’t always realize they’re doing. These little things can make a huge difference in how well your baby feeds.

Hi, I’m Ann, a single-mom of 3 (including twins), founder of full feedings®, and someone who has been through it all when it comes to feeding babies. I created my method to help parents feel supported from birth through toddlerhood — and one main part is understanding how feeding choices impact your baby day-to-day.

Here are 8 common mistakes parents don’t always realize they’re making — and what you can try instead:

✚ Improperly mixing formula. Not following the exact scoop-to-water ratio can upset digestion or leave your baby without the nutrition they need. Always add water first, then formula, and follow the instructions on the can precisely. If you’re prepping multiple bottles, batch prep (and refrigerate for up to 24-hours) to keep things simple and consistent.

✚ Relying on formula machines. While formula makers may seem like a no-brainer to streamline parental workload, they can often create inconsistent ratios or formula clumping. Hand mixing formula is a great way to ensure accuracy and smooth texture every time.

✚ Offering cold bottles. There is no medical necessity to warm milk, but while some babies drink cold milk just fine, others struggle. Warming bottles to body temperature (98 – 100°F) can make feeds easier and fuller – which helps support consistent feeding and healthy growth.

✚ Stopping at small “snack” feeds. Frequently offering small feeds to your baby can throw off their appetite balance and lead to increased parental workload (i.e. more feeds). Encouraging your baby (via a baby-led parent-directed approach) to take a full feeding (with paced feeding and ample burping) can really help ensure they get what they need and have an age-appropriate feeding routine.

✚ Forgetting to burp or not burping often enough. Burping well is probably one of the most underutilized ingredients in infant feeding. Gas bubbles can often mask as “full”, cut feeds short, and make babies uncomfortable. Stopping to burp frequently during and after feeds will help keep your baby fully fed, calm, and content.

✚ Using the wrong bottle system and / or nipple flow. Finding a bottle system that works well for your baby is a key ingredient in ensuring they can take a bottle easily. Likewise, using an age-appropriate bottle nipple is essential to feeding well. If the flow on the bottle is too fast babies may gulp air and become overwhelmed. If the flow is too slow, they may give up in frustration and develop an aversion. Choosing a bottle system with flow (and a variety of nipple sizes) and using paced feeding to help regulate intake will help ensure your baby’s feeds go smoothly.

✚ Not pacing feeds. If milk flows too quickly, babies may overfeed and / or develop aversions from being overwhelmed with milk. Practicing paced feeding is a key ingredient to smoother feeds. Paced feeding is where you hold the bottle more horizontally to intentionally control flow (in response to baby), allowing you to pause often, and intentionally mimic breastfeeding rhythms.

✚ Choosing a formula without considering quality. Formula is your baby’s main nutrition source (or at least a main part of it if you’re combo feeding) so what’s inside matters. Look for clean, thoughtfully made options that support digestion and comfort – like ByHeart, which is Certified Clean* and crafted to help babies thrive. (*Based on Clean Label Project, Purity Award)

At the end of the day, most feeding “mistakes” aren’t really mistakes at all – they’re just little things parents don’t always realize can make feeding hard. With a few simple shifts, you can make feeds smoother, fuller, and more nourishing for your baby, while giving yourself a little more confidence, too. Remember, feeding well is one of the best ways to support your baby’s healthy growth and development – and it doesn’t have to feel complicated.