Is It Ok To Give A Newborn Powder Formula
Powder baby formula can be a great, economical way to feed your baby every day. You get more for your money compared to ready-to-feed or concentrated liquid form. However, powder formula is not for every baby.
If you have a healthy, full term baby, then you can start your baby on powder formula right away. It is produced with your infant’s delicate digestive system in mind. Be sure that you follow the directions and guidelines on the package in terms of food safety and storage.
If you have a high risk infant, that is, a baby who was born preterm , a low birth weight , or has a weak immune system, then they should not be fed powder formula for the first two months. Ready-to-feed or concentrated liquid formula is best for these infants because it is sterile until open. Powder formula has a higher risk of bacteria as the container can last a month of opening and closing. The bacteria in that non-sterile environment can do more damage to a high risk infant. However, once the infant is more than two months old, you can speak with your pediatrician about switching to powder formula.
Most infants can handle powder formula. However, if your newborn is considered high risk, then you need to start them
How Much Food Does A Baby At 6
When you start introducing solids, its best to start out slow and follow your babys lead. Offering a large bowl of puree can feel overwhelming to a new eater. For instance, you may want to start with just a tablespoon or two of puree or cereal mixed with breast milk or formula preloaded into two to three spoons and work your way up from there.
Much of your babys first food exposures will be about touching the food, smelling it, and maybe even getting some into their mouth. Exposure to the texture, smell, and experience of eating are very important.
At this age, there is a lot of variation on how much solid food your baby will eat, says Danielle Roberts, MD, a pediatrician in Zanesville, Ohio. You also dont need to worry about offering water from a hydration standpoint because the formula or breast milk they are drinking will keep them hydrated.
However, offering 1 to 2 ounces of water in a small, open cup along with meals is a great way to allow baby to practice hand to mouth coordination. They also get to practice the skill of drinking out of an open cup, which they will need to be able to do much more of after the age of 1.
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How Long Does Formula Powder Last Once Its Opened
As a new parent, its essential to know how long formula powder lasts once the can is open.
Most experts say once the bottle of formula is open, it must be used within one month.
Sealed formula will last longer than one month, but you must not use it after the expiry date. Its important to remember that the expiry date is not a suggestion.
And heres why the nutrients in the formula will start to degenerate after a while.
So in effect, the formula loses its nutritional content. This process is much faster once you have opened it.
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It Can Make Your Child Sick
Just like you would when you eat bad food, babies can get sick from drinking spoiled milk.
Your little bubba may get diarrhea or vomit from milk that stays too long.
Leftover milk may put your baby at risk of a severe infection known as Cronobacter Infection.
This infection loves to grow in dry places like your babys formula.
It potentially has horrible effects like blood poisoning, and can be life-threatening.
Measuring Exact Amounts Of Formula And Water
It is important to measure the formula and water carefully. Too much or too little is not good for your baby.
For each 30mls of water, you need one level scoop of formula powder. Use the scoop in the formula box and run a clean knife across the top to level the scoop. For example, if you are making up a 90mls feed, you will need to add 3 level scoops of formula to 90mls of cool boiled water.
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Using Cold Tap Water To Avoid Lead Contamination
When using tap water for baby formula, always use cold tap water that has run for 15 to 20 seconds rather than warm or hot tap water. The reason for this is that many homes have plumbing with lead or lead solder, and hot water can concentrate the lead, which is a risk factor for lead poisoning.
Unless you have an inline hot water heater, your hot water has sat in a hot water tank and may be contaminated with lead. Running the water to ensure a fresh flow and only using cold water can help reduce your baby’s exposure to lead from tap water.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, you should never mix baby formula using hot water from the tap.
Boiling water doesn’t get rid of lead. Many home water filters, including pitcher and faucet filters, do remove lead from drinking water.
Never Serve Your Baby Homemade Formula
Although you might come across homemade baby formula recipes online, it’s never safe or recommended to give your baby one of these do-it-yourself concoctions.
Major medical organizations and regulating bodies agree that homemade formula comes with significant risks. While commercially manufactured formula is carefully designed to deliver the right balance of protein, carbohydrates and fats along with vitamins and minerals found in breast milk, homemade formula could give your baby too many or too few of certain nutrients.
What’s more, homemade formula is not regulated by the FDA and increases the chance that an ingredient used could be contaminated, which could cause your baby to develop a serious foodborne illness.
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Storing And Transporting Formula Milk
Powdered formula milk isnât sterile, so only make up a feed just before using it and throw away any formula thatâs left over after a feed.
If you need to feed your baby while youâre out and about, it helps to take
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the amount of formula powder you need for a feed, measured out into a small, clean and dry, airtight container
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a clean vacuum flask containing just-boiled tap water
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an empty, sterilised feeding bottle with the teat, retaining ring and cap.
When you need to make up a feed, follow the steps above. Donât forget to cool the formula and check the temperature on the inside of your wrist before feeding it to your baby.
How Do I Make Up Powdered Formula
As powdered formula is not sterile, it is important that its made up correctly each time, using boiled water that has cooled for no more than 30 minutes. To kill any bacteria within the powder, it is important that the water is at least 70C .
Safe preparation is key all formula have to be made using the right amount of powder as diluting or using too much powder could make your baby unwell . See our step-by-step guide to preparing baby formula and how to make up a bottle if youre out for more details.
This page was last reviewed in May 2019.
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How To Make A Switch
If you are switching formulas on your pediatrician’s recommendation you will probably be advised to discontinue the old formula and switch to the new one all at once.
If, however, you are switching for other reasons such as price or convenience, you can give the new formula a try and see how your baby likes it.
Keep in mind that it may take a few feedings before your baby gets used to the taste of a new formula.
Try making a gradual change if your baby does not seem to like the new choice of formula. You can start with a combination of three parts old to one part new, and when your baby accepts that, move to half-and-half.
Keep gradually changing the ratio until you are feeding only the new formula. You may want to buy a small container of the new formula until you know for sure you want to stick with it.
If you are concerned about gassiness, stick to one brand for at least a week or two to see if there are any changes in gas, stool, spit-up or burping. Your baby’s digestive system needs this long to adjust to the new diet.
With a little planning, even if cost and convenience are how you are choosing a formula, you should be able to stick with one brand in the long run.
Which Formula Milk Is Best
For a healthy, full-term baby, it really doesnt matter which brand you choose. They all make various claims and have different ingredients. Yet regardless of their cost, like we said, all brands have to meet the same nutritional and safety standards and have a relatively similar composition .
First Steps Nutrition Trust has more information here on the different brands of formula milk available in the UK and their ingredients. We also have an article here about the different types of formula milk.
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Powdered Formula For Newborn
I’m currently EBF but am considering giving a bottle of formula at night. I’m reading that newborns can’t have powdered formula? I have never heard that. Is this going overboard or serious?
They can have powdered formula but a lot of people recommend the premixed formula so you don’t get too much water or any formula clumps In the bottle.
We’ve done powdered formula since we came home from the hospital. I think the reason why some recommend ready to feed is because it’s sterile.
How old is your baby? I was told at the hospital for the first couple of weeks to use ready to feed. I use formula only and have been using powder since two weeks my little Man is fine
I always used powdered formula for both of my sons right from the beginning.
My dr said not to introduce powdered formula until after 2 months of age. It’s not as sterile or something. I’m giving read to feed formula as a top up to breastfeeding. It’s very pricy thou.
I asked my doc as I supplement with formula as well and he said it’s fine to use either. 🙂 just practice safe handling of the powder mix to avoid containimating the powder. Baby will be fine 🙂 and it saves money
That’s a good point for sure, none of us sterilize our boobs haha But also by that logic, why do we sterilize our bottles? And what’s the point of sterilizing the bottles if we’re going to pour potentially contaminated formula into them? This is a vicious cycle lol I don’t think I’d ever have the energy to be a germaphobe lol
If You Can’t Find Infant Formula Anywhere
In emergency situations where you can’t find formula in stock, the AAP recommends the following:
- Ask your pediatrician about toddler formulas. Although toddler formula is not recommended for infants, the AAP says if you can’t find infant formula anywhere and “you have absolutely no other choice,” a toddler version might be a safe alternative for babies approaching age 1 for a few days. Just make sure to call your pediatrician for guidance.
- Ask your pediatrician about cow’s milk. The AAP recently adjusted their recommendations on navigating the shortage to say that whole cow’s milk might be a temporary option for babies 6 months and older in “urgent” situations. While the AAP says it should not become routine to serve your infant cow’s milk, it can be a short-term alternative if you can’t find formula. If you do have to serve your infant cow’s milk, it’s important to make sure they get enough iron in their diet from solid foods to prevent anemia. Consult your pediatrician for guidance and ask if your baby may need an iron supplement.
- Ask your pediatrician about soy milk. Although soy milk is also not recommended for babies under 1, the AAP added that it might be a temporary option in emergencies for babies who are approaching a year old for just a few days. Always consult your pediatrician for guidance, and look for varieties that are fortified with protein and calcium.
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What Are The Different Types Of Infant Formula
There are 3 types of store-bought formula: ready-to-feed, liquid concentrate and powdered. Ready-to-feed and liquid concentrate are sterile until they are opened. Powdered formula is not sterile.
You can buy infant formula at most grocery stores and pharmacies. Follow the instructions on the label. Do not dilute the formula with extra water. Never use formula from a container with dents, bulges or other damage. Use the formula before the expiration date on the package.
Special Tips And Advice
- If your baby does not drink all the formula in a bottle within an hour from the time you start to give it, throw the rest away.
- Always feed or refrigerate prepared formula right away.
- Do not feed honey or corn syrup to babies under 1 year of age. These products are not germ free. They may cause food poisoning in young infants.
If you have any questions, be sure to call your health care provider.
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How Do I Prepare My Baby’s Bottles
Carefully follow directions on the label when preparing formula. Most store-bought formula comes in three basic forms:
- powders that you mix with water
- concentrates, which are liquids that you dilute with water
- ready-to-use liquids that can be poured right into bottles without adding water
Do not add more water than directed, or use formula past its expiration date.
Wash your hands well before preparing and feeding your baby. To mix powders or concentrates, use clean tap water. If you have a well, test the water to see if its safe before using it to mix infant formula.
If your tap water is not clean , boil it for at least 1 minute to kill germs. Let the water cool to room temperature before using it to mix formula. You also can use bottled water. Talk to your doctor if youre concerned that your water is not safe.
Once prepared, the formula is ready to feed to your baby right away without refrigeration or warming. Feed your baby or store the prepared formula in the refrigerator within 2 hours.
Additional Recommendations For Pif Preparation In Professional Settings:
- Where possible, preparation of PIF in professional settings should occur in a laminar flow hood by trained personnel to minimize contamination from the environment.
- Trained personnel should take appropriate action in case of a product recall, as well as report and document any illnesses or adverse reactions noted with the use of PIF.
- Please refer to additional recommendations found in the FAO/WHO Guidelines.
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