What Are The Different Types Of Baby Formula
All formula sold in Australia needs to meet stringent nutritional and hygiene standards. Most baby formulas are made from dried cow’s milk with vitamins, minerals and vegetable oils added. Straight cow’s milk is not suitable for a baby’s digestion, unless it has been altered to make it easy to digest and so the nutrients can be absorbed.
There are 3 types of formula:
- Milk-based formulas are made from cow’s milk, with added vegetable oils, iron, vitamins and minerals.
- Soy-based formulas are made from soybeans and have added vegetable oils and nutrients.
- Specialty formulas are made from cow’s milk which has been ‘predigested’ and the protein removed or reduced. There is also a range of hypoallergenic formulas available. Most specialty formulas are designed for babies who have a milk intolerance or who are allergic to cow’s milk. Formula might also be the best choice for babies who have a food protein allergy or other form of digestive, malabsorption or gut problem. Specialty formulas can be used for specific cultural or religious reasons too.
Other types of formula include:
Why Should I Consider Homemade Formula Over Store
I wonât go into great lengths as to WHY you really should consider homemade baby formula because you can read all about that here.
But in short, the store-bought formulas are filled with all kinds of ingredients that really should be your babyâs first food or source of nutrition.
They are jam-packed with synthetic ingredients, corn syrup solids, hydronated oils, bad sugars, and so on.
If you are interested in seeing a really detailed breakdown of each of the ingredients commonly found in commercialized formula, Holistic Squid offers some great information.
A big turn off to homemade baby formula is simply the fact that most people donât even know what it is, what it consists of, and WHY it is such a wholesome choice for your baby.
As we get into the âhow toâ of making baby formula, it will become clear what is in it and what is NOT in it!
Yeah, all of those nasty ingredients I mentioned a moment ago, those are nowhere to be found in homemade baby formula.
What you will find is whole foods and non-synthetic vitamins and minerals that will offer you baby so much more nutrition, good health, and a strong immune system.
Also, even though some may say the opposite, homemade baby formula is actually quite affordable and EVEN cheaper than a lot of the store-bought formulas.
Plus, it really doesnât take that much time to make, and should only consist of about 10 minutes or so every couple of days.
Measure Out The Formula
If the family prefers a ready-to-use formula, then you wont need any additional steps. This type of formula comes in a pre-mixed liquid form already measured out in a bottle, so it’s easy to use without any further preparation. Don’t add water or any other liquid to a ready-to-use formula.
If you’re using a powdered or liquid concentrate formula, then you’ll need to measure it out. Again, follow the manufacturers instructions to determine how much formula should be prepared for a single feeding. Generally, there will be different amounts to mix depending on the child’s age.
For the powdered type of formula, measure out the amount you need based on the package using a measuring cup. Normally, a special scoop will come with the container, and it will tell you the number of scoops you need to use and how much water to add.
For a concentrated liquid formula, you’ll want to shake it thoroughly before mixing it with water.
Once you’ve mixed the liquid or powdered formula with water in the bottle, attach the nipple and cap, and then shake the bottle well to ensure everything is fully mixed.
Note that powdered formula is not sterile, so take care when feeding it to infants with immune problems or who are premature, unless you’re specifically directed to by the parents. Sterile liquid infant formula may be recommended for these babies.
Read Also: Which Is The Best Formula Milk To Give A Newborn
Variation: Goat Milk Formula
Although goat milk is rich in fat, it must be used with caution in infant feeding as it lacks folate and is low in vitamin B12, both of which are essential to the growth and development of the infant. Inclusion of nutritional yeast to provide folate is essential. To compensate for low levels of vitamin B12, if preparing the Milk-Based Formula with goats milk, add 2 teaspoons organic raw chicken liver, frozen for 14 days, finely grated to the batch of formula. Be sure to begin egg-yolk feeding at four months.
Use Quickly Or Store Safely
- Prepared infant formula can spoil if it is left out at room temperature.
- Use prepared infant formula within 2 hours of preparation and within one hour from when feeding begins.
- If you do not start to use the prepared infant formula within 2 hours, immediately store the bottle in the fridge and use it within 24 hours.
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How To Make Up Baby Formula
Good hygiene is very important when making up a formula feed.
Your baby’s immune system is not as strong as an adult’s. That’s why bottles, teats and any other feeding equipment need to be washed and sterilised before each feed.
This will reduce the chance of your baby getting an infection, in particular diarrhoea and vomiting.
What Kind Of Water Do You Use For Baby Formula
You can use any type of clean water tap or bottled to prepare liquid-concentrate or powdered formula. If youre concerned about the purity of your water supply, talk to your babys doctor or your water provider. Many public water systems will test drinking water upon request.
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Tips For Storing Infant Formula
Storage tips for prepared formula
- Powdered Infant Formula: One days worth of bottles can be prepped in individual bottles and stored immediately in the fridge in advance.
- Concentrated Infant Formula: Two days worth of bottles can be prepared and stored immediately in the fridge in advance.
- Do not freeze prepared formula.
- Prepared formula should not be without refrigeration for more than 2 hours.
- Once baby begins to drink a formula bottle, it must be used within 1 hour. Any remaining formula after the hour must be thrown out.1, 2, 3, 7
Storage tips for unprepared containers of powdered, ready-to-feed, or concentrated formula:
- Do not use formula past the Use By date on the container.
- Powdered formula can be used for one month after it has been opened. Manufacturers dont recommend using the formula after the 30 days of opening because the nutrients start to degrade. Store powdered formula with the lid tightly shut in a cool, dry place but NOT in the refrigerator.
- Open ready-to-feed or concentrate formula can be refrigerated for 48 hours. After this time it must be thrown out.1, 2
If you cant remember how long you have kept formula in the refrigerator, it is safer to throw it out than to feed it to your baby.
For more information, see the CDCs formula preparation and storage instructions at:
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Organic Baby Formula Options
What Id personally choose if I was unable to nurse is a homemade organic baby formula.
Making baby formula sounds like a crazy idea when you first hear about it, since formula seems like an extremely complicated substance that would be impossible to make at home
Then again, many people feel the same way about toothpaste, deodorant, or makeup at first glance too.
Certainly, baby formula is a much more important recipe to get right since babys health depends on it, but homemade baby formula is not nearly as complicated as you might expect.
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A Reminder About Safety
The evaporated and rice milk emergency formulas are not substitutes for commercial-grade formulas or breastmilk, as they do not include the additional vitamin supplements needed to ensure long-lasting health in your baby. If you need to use this formula for more than a few days in an emergency situation, please know that you will need to add vitamin drops. You should always consult your physician about your child’s dietary needs when possible.
Homemade Vegan Formula Recipe
You can always make your own vegan formula at home for your baby. When compared to other recipes, this is one of the easiest formulas you could make in no time. Homemade organic formulas are not encouraged because the formulas you get from a store go through a much better processing system which cannot be done at home. Though this is not always suggested, you can still make this recipe using these ingredients.
Ingredients
- The first step is to make the almond milk yourself.
- Remove the almond shell and then blend the almonds.
- Next, make the coconut water and mix all the ingredients.
- Put the mixture in a blender and blend it together until the formula is in a creamy form
- Strain the formula using a mesh bag
- You can now pour it in a container and keep it in the refrigerator.
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What Should I Know About Preparing And Storing Infant Formula
- Learn how to prepare powdered, concentrated, and ready-to-feed infant formulas
- Understand how to properly store prepared infant formula
Good news! Whether powdered, ready-to-use, or concentrate, formula package instructions usually include all the information you need to easily prepare a bottle. For all the extra details on formula preparation and storage, read on.
Safety first before preparing baby formula
Practicing proper hygiene is key when preparing formula. Your babys immune system is still developing so minimizing unnecessary exposure to bacteria can help decrease the risk of infections.2, 3
Check the Expiration or Use By dateNote the Expiration Date and/or Use By date on the formula packaging. It is not recommended to use formula after its Use By or Expiration date as the quality and content of the nutrients may not be guaranteed.2, 3 Make sure the cans or containers are not dented or have rust.4
Work in a clean area with clean bottles and equipmentWash your hands and countertop thoroughly before handling baby bottles and formula.5
If youre using the bottles for the first time, sterilizing the bottles along with their parts is a good precautionary measure.2 Simply boil the items for 5 minutes and then let cool before handling.
Otherwise, clean the bottles, bottle liners, and nipples in hot soapy water and rinse well.5 You can use a special bottlebrush to clean any hard-to-reach spots.
Read more: Choosing the right bottles and nipples
How Do I Make Formula For My Newborn
Single bottle instructions
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Can I Store Formula Leftovers In The Fridge
Toss leftover formula. Once youve started feeding your baby from the bottle, the formula is good for just one hour. Thats because the babys mouth introduces bacteria to the nipple.
Its like how you wouldnt want to take a sip of milk, let it sit out a couple of hours and then drink it again or put it in the fridge for later. The risk of spoilage is too high, explains Adler.
So You’ve Run Out Of Baby Formula
Your child is crying because they are hungry. Perhaps you’ve always used formula, or perhaps breastfeeding went by the wayside after you started working again and had a nasty bout with mastitis. Whatever the case may be, as you stumble bleary-eyed into your kitchen to the bottle station, you realize that you have run out of formula. Panic strikes. You check the cupboard, the pantry, and even the fridge hoping that you have a stash somewhere . . . anywhere. No dice. So what do you do?
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Get Your Bottles Ready
Make sure that your bottles and all of the accessories like caps, nipples, and rings are washed with soap and water and allowed to air dry before you begin. You can use nipple and bottle brushes to get into the hard-to-reach places. If the family you’re babysitting for has a dishwasher, you can also use that, but check with them first to determine their preference.
If you happen to be opening a brand new bottle for the first time, then all parts need to be sterilized before using them. You can do this with either a microwave steam sterilizer bag or by simply boiling the bottle and all of its accessories in water for five minutes. This only needs to be done the first time you use a new bottle its not necessary to sterilize it every time.
Bone Broth Based Homemade Formula
If your baby is very sensitive to dairy or you donât have easy access to local raw milk, a bone broth-based formula is a great dairy free alternative.
A lot of people turn to soy when they are dealing with milk allergies and soy is the worst alternative you can offer your baby.
This homemade hypoallergenic meat-based formula is a great option and I bet your baby will THRIVE on it.
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Put Some Breastmilk On The Bottles Nipple
This method is more or less tricking your baby into drinking the bottle of formula. But, its effective, none the less.
It can be a tad confusing to go from a warm breast to a cold, rubber nipple.
Imagine you were used to having a warm bowl of oatmeal every day for breakfast, and one day someone placed a bowl of plain, uncooked, steel cut oats in front of your face.
I imagine you would be wondering what on earth youre being fed, and where is your regular, belly-filling breakfast.
Its the same for a baby who is accustomed to drinking breastmilk everyday.
So pour a small amount of breastmilk right on the bottles nipple before feeding your baby with the bottle of formula, and your baby will be more likely to latch on.
This will give your baby a taste of the breastmilk and they will likely continue to suck on the bottle because of the initial taste of breastmilk.