Though breast feeding is THE BEST food for your baby, there are instances when this is not possible. The reasons could be an adopted baby, HIV infected mother, mother on drugs during which breast feeding is contraindicated, or if the mother cannot produce sufficient milk even after adequate treatment. The reasons could be more. And among the other milks available, cow, buffalo and goat milk have a much higher protein content and much lower carbohydrate content as compared to human milk. Though doctors advice against formula milk in a general setting, it is the best available option if you cannot breast feed your baby as formula milk is prepared to closely resemble human milk. If there is no option or if formula feeds are too expensive, then you could go for cow or goat milk. Remember this is only when you cannot breast feed at all. Do not use these options if you can breast feed your baby. Bottle feeding is probably the easiest way out in such a situation. But you must remember that when you bottle feed your baby, there are numerous issues that you must tackle and be aware of. Mothers milk and its equipment are from nature and infection free. But bottles can get infected very easily as the milk content and sugars are an open invitation for ants and bacteria. WHILE YOU BOTTLE FEED

• Remember that your baby knows when its enough. So if your baby stops suckling leave him alone and resist the temptation to feed your baby the full bottle

• DO NOT REUSE LEFT OVER MILK. Empty the bottle after every feed and never reuse milk that is left over.

• Always have a clean bottle with milk for emergencies and make sure that the nipple of the bottle is covered and not left open

• Make sure that the bottle and the nipple are clean TIPS FOR CLEANING THE BOTTLE

• Rinse the bottle in warm water after the feeds.

• Use mild detergent to clean the bottle and use a bottle scrubber to make sure that there is no left over milk sticking anywhere in the bottle.

• After washing the bottle leave it in a clean cloth and let it drip dry.

• Ideally do not wipe the bottle clean as generally the cloth used cannot be assured to be infection free. So after washing the bottle let it dry under the fan.

• Always have the nipple covered and never leave it open.