Baby Formula With Special Additives
Some baby formulas have extra ingredients added to them to make them more like breastmilk. But this doesnt necessarily mean those ingredients will work in the same way as breastmilk in your babys body.
Here are some common extra ingredients added to baby formula, with information about whether theyre likely to do your baby any extra good:
- LCPs: these are important for brain and nerve development. But theres no clear evidence that babies can absorb ingredients like LCPs when theyre added to formula. Formula with added LCPs might be helpful for formula-fed premature babies brain development.
- Betacarotene: this is a source of vitamin A and anti-oxidants. Most formulas already have added vitamin A and anti-oxidants. Theres no real evidence that betacarotene formulas are better for your baby.
- Prebiotics and probiotics: these can help formula-fed babies grow healthy bacteria in their bowels. The bacteria might help your baby have softer poo and less nappy rash. It might also help reduce the chance of gastroenteritis.
Also note that these formulas might be more expensive than other formulas.
Are There Other Concerns About Babies Drinking Cold Milk
By this point, youre probably thinking: So why do some people choose to warm milk when its more work to do so?
Again, breast milk directly expressed from the breast is a warm temperature. Babies who spend the majority of their feeding sessions at the breast are used to this warm liquid.
While many adjust quickly to a cold version of breast milk coming from a bottle, some babies are a little more sensitive.
This can mean they dont want to drink as much cold milk. If youre struggling with a baby who isnt feeding well, it is a good idea to experiment with the bottle temperature to see if they have a preference.
Many parents also get concerned about the separation of liquids that can occur when breast milk is cold. This layering is normal, and doesnt affect the milk quality. In fact, the mixture can usually be combined with a few gentle swirls.
However, if it doesnt mix well, warming it a bit can help to encourage the layers to mix better.
If youre still feeling worried or guilty about giving your baby a cold bottle, you can always slowly transition them. Each time you serve up a warm bottle, heat it a little less. You can see how your little one responds over time and find the temperature that works best for both of you.
Probiotic And Prebiotic Formula
Some formulas for babies are now fortified with probiotics, or bacteria that’s supposed to prevent diarrhea in otherwise healthy children.
Probiotics should not be given to chronic or seriously ill babies, and the jury is still out on whether or not they’re effective in treating diarrhea or preventing any other conditions.
Prebiotics are also added to some formulas in order to reduce infections in healthy children, but it’s still uncertain whether or not they’re effective either.
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Preparing Safe Water For Formula
From birth until your baby is at least 6 months old, all water used for formula should be boiled and cooled to room temperature on the day you use it. Make sure you leave enough time for the boiled water to cool to room temperature before its needed.
1) Boil enough water to last the day.
- If you use an electric jug, boil a full jug until it turns off.
- If you use a stove top kettle, boil until it makes a loud whistle.
- If you are boiling water in a pot on the stove, let the water come to a rolling boil for 1 minute.
Pour boiled water into a sterilised container, cover and leave to cool to room temperature until it no longer feels warm. Store out of direct sunlight. Keep for up to 24 hours throw it away after that.
If you live in a city or a town
From 6 months of age you can use cold water straight from the tap to make formula. Run the tap for 1015 seconds before you collect the water.
If you use bore or tank water
Bore water and tank water should be boiled until your baby is 18 months old. If your water comes from a private supply , have it tested for any contaminants that could harm you and your baby. If testing shows water is high in nitrates, it is not suitable for preparing infant formula.
Bottled water
Bottled water is not recommended as it is not sterile. Like tap water, bottled water needs to be boiled then allowed to cool before it is used to prepare formula.
Why Might I Give My Baby Formula
There are many reasons why formula might be the best option for you and your baby. Not all women can breastfeed: some may be unable to produce enough milk for their babys needs while others may have a health condition or take medication that prevents them from breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding problems can be challenging and may even mean its unrealistic some women to continue.
Other women choose not to breastfeed, or they may not always be with their baby, such as when they are returning to work.
Many parents do not have the option to breastfeed, such as dads in same-sex relationships, adoptive and foster parents, and kinship carers.
Some women may not breastfeed if they have experienced sexual abuse that involved their breasts since this can trigger trauma. Understandably, mothers may not share this as the reason why they feed their baby formula.
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Can Feeding Your Baby Formula Cause Them To Get More Ear Infections And Congestion Find Out What Is Fact And What Is Fiction
Many women choose to breastfeed their baby so that their little one can get all of the immunity boosting antibodies that comes from breast milk. Some choose to breastfeed because they heard that babies who drink formula are more likely to be congested than breastfed babies. The best thing to do is to figure out the medical fact and the old wives’ tales.
So What Are You To Do If Your Baby Wont Take The Cold Bottle
Some babies just want the comfort that warm milk provides. You could warm it in a bowl of warm water or run it under warm water until the milk inside the bottle turns warm. You can find out more about this in our article, How to Safely and Effectively Warm a Baby Bottle.
But theres a better solution. And thats to get the best portable bottle warmer there is – The Babys Brew. Its the only battery-operated bottle warmer that can warm your babys bottle to the exact temperature your baby desires. If you go between breastfeeding and giving bottles of breastmilk, youll want to choose the 98.6 degree temperature setting so that its what your baby is used to. If youre giving your baby formula, you may choose one of the temperatures above 100 degrees. Every temperature option on the Baby’s Brew is safe and exact.
This takes away the hassle that typically comes with warming a bottle while ensuring that your babys milk is never overheated. It’s simple to use and keeps a charge for up to 12 hours, meaning you can warm bottles for your baby all day long.
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Cons Of Giving Your Baby Cold Breastmilk Or Formula
We all want one less thing to have to hassle with as new parents. Its an incredibly busy time impacted by the least amount of sleep youve probably known, so creating a routine with less steps is ideal. But, skipping the warming step of your babys milk might not work out the way you think it will. Though giving cold milk to your baby is safe, it still may not be the best choice.
Other Considerations For Formula Feeding
Bonding with Baby. There is a misconception that you will not bond with your baby as well if you feed them with formula instead of breastfeeding. This is not true. Cuddle close to your baby when you bottle-feed, and share the love! Make eye contact and use a soft voice to talk to your baby while you feed them.
Breastfeeding gives you a chance to bond with your baby, but formula-feeding gives everyone in your family a chance to bond! Encourage dad, siblings, and grandparents to hold and feed your baby. This will help your baby to feel connected and more comfortable with each member of your family. It will also ease the transition of your baby being away from you if and when you return to work.
Offering Bottles. Start out feeding your infant with bottles that are cold or at room temperature instead of heated. Your baby will never know the difference if you begin this way. However, they may refuse cold or room temperature bottles if you begin by giving warm ones.
If your baby prefers warm bottles, invest in a bottle warmer rather than using boiling water or a microwave. Bottle warmers are safer because they are specifically designed for baby bottles and provide a more consistent temperature.
Test the temperature of your childs formula on the back of your hand before offering the bottle to your baby. If it feels too warm on your wrist, it could burn your babys mouth.
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How Are Common Colds In Babies Treated
There is no cure for the common cold. Most colds go away on their own after about seven to 10 days and do not turn into something more serious.
Antibiotics cannot be used to treat colds. Sometimes, children may develop complications from bacteria, such as an ear infection or pneumonia, and antibiotics may then be used to treat these illnesses. Do not give the baby over-the-counter cough and cold medicines unless the doctor prescribes it.
To treat a common cold in babies:
- Keep the baby comfortable.
- Give the baby fluids. For babies 6 months or younger, let them drink breast milk or formula. At 6 months, the baby can also have some water.
- Let the baby get plenty of rest.
Since most babies cannot blow their nose until about age 4, these methods may help ease the baby’s stuffy nose:
Babies can continue their normal activities, if they seem well enough to do so. If they have fever or complications, it is best to keep them at home.
If the baby is in daycare, tell the caregiver about any symptoms that the baby has. Be sure to make a plan on who will be available to stay home with the baby if the baby is ill.
When To Call The Doctor For Baby Cold Symptoms
For most common colds, theres no need to visit the pediatrician unless you’re concerned it might be something more serious like the flu or COVID-19. But if your baby is under 3 months old or if its your babys first cold, its a good idea to get in touch with your practitioner, if only to put your mind at ease.
Otherwise, watch for any of these signs that your little one’s illness is getting worse and be sure to call the doctor if your baby:
- Is experiencing her very first cold
- Seems to be especially out of sorts
- Is lethargic
- Refuses to eat or drink
- Develops a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher on a rectal thermometer and is under 3 months old
- Has a fever of over 100.4 F and is 3 months or older .
- Has a cough thats getting worse or continues during the day after other symptoms are gone
- Breathes significantly more rapidly than usual
- Has greenish-yellow, foul-smelling nasal discharge from the nose or from coughing
- Has swollen glands in the neck
- Pulls on her ear
- Has symptoms lasting longer than 10 days
If your baby seems to have a continuous cold, a chronically runny nose or very long-lasting or frequent colds , talk to the doctor about whether allergies might be responsible .
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Cleaning And Sterilising Feeding Equipment
Newborn and young babies are at risk of infection because their immune system is not fully developed yet. You must wash and sterilise all feeding equipment until your baby is at least 6 months old. From 6 months, thorough washing and rinsing are enough.
Follow the steps below for all feeding equipment that you use for your baby whether you are using expressed breast milk or infant formula.
How Do I Get The Formula To The Right Temperature To Feed My Baby
If just made, powdered formula is too hot to feed to your baby. Cool it by putting the bottle under cold running water or in a bowl filled with cold water and ice.
Formula stored in the fridge can be fed to your baby right out of the fridge or warmed first. Your baby will show you what they prefer. Warm it by putting the bottle in a bottle warmer or in a bowl of hot water for no more than 15 minutes. Make sure the ring of the bottle and the nipple do not get wet from the tap water.
Test the temperature by shaking the bottle 1 to 2 times and pour a few drops of formula on the inside of your wrist. If the formula feels warm, but not hot, then you can feed it to your baby.
Do not warm formula in the microwave. Microwaves heat unevenly and create hot spots. Hot spots in the formula could burn your babys mouth.
Once you start feeding, use the bottle within 2 hours. Throw out any leftover formula. Do not reheat formula during a feed or refrigerate a partly used bottle.
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Preparing And Storing Formula
Water for Formula Bottles. Never use tap water to mix formula bottles unless youve sterilized it first. Tap water contains additives that may be harmful to infants. Using only bottled water to mix formula is the safest choice for your child.
Remove the water from your heat source. Allow it to cool completely before mixing in the formula. Water that is too hot can harm your baby. Once you boil water, use or refrigerate it within 1 hour. If it stays out longer than an hour, pour it out and start with fresh water for your next bottles. Alternately, you can purchase purified water in jugs at your local grocery store.
Preparing Bottles. Each brand of formula has instructions for how much formula to mix in per ounce. Follow this guideline strictly. Mixing in too much water can fill your baby up without providing adequate nutrients. Mixing in too much formula may lead to dehydration or constipation.
Be sure to use a clean bottle for each feeding. To keep your baby healthy, wash bottles between uses with hot, soapy water and sterilize them as needed.
Storing Bottles. You can prepare formula bottles one at a time according to how often your baby is hungry. Formula will stay good in the fridge for up to 24 hours, so many parents prefer to mix enough formula for an entire day. Consider how many ounces your baby drinks per feeding session, and then mix a pitcher of formula or individual bottles for each feeding.
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