Lets Nourish Their Remarkable First Year
Your baby is beginning to take on the world. With Enfamil infant formula, you can have peace of mind that your little one is receiving the important nutrition they need during this amazing stage. Explore our formulas and join Enfamil Family Beginnings® for up to $400 in free gifts and to be eligible for free samples.
*Average level of DHA in worldwide breast milk is 0.32% ± 0.22% based on an analysis of 65 studies of 2,474 women.
World Health Organization recommended amount of DHA is 0.2%-0.36% of total fatty acids. Enfamil has 0.32% of total fatty acids as DHA.
Formula Facts: Whats In It For Baby
The three forms of formula — powders, concentrates, and ready-to-use — are based on different ingredients:
Milk-based baby formulas
Made with cowâs milk, vegetable oils , vitamins, and minerals — and usually iron-fortified — milk-based formulas are appropriate for healthy, full-term babies.
Soy-based baby formulas
Made with soy protein, vegetable oils, corn syrup and/or sucrose , and sometimes iron, these formulas are good for babies with lactose intolerance who canât take milk-based formulas, or those who have allergies to the whole protein in cowâs milk or are on a vegetarian-based diet. Soy infant formulas arenât recommended for low-birth-weight or preterm babies. Keep in mind that there may be some cross reactivity between soy and milk formulas, especially if the baby is allergic to milk-based formulas.
Specialty baby formulas
This is a big category, comprising a range of products — infant formulas for low-birth-weight babies, low-sodium formulas for babies who need a restricted salt intake, and formulas thickened with rice starch for babies with reflux.
“Predigested,” or hydrolyzed protein formulas, are made for babies who canât tolerate or have allergies to the whole proteins in cowâs milk and milk-based formulas. Others are for babies with medical conditions that keep their bodies from processing certain proteins or fats.
How Much Does Baby Formula Cost
There’s no getting around it: Formula can be expensive. You can expect to shell out between $1,200 and $1,500 on formula before your babys first birthday, which comes to about $100 to $125 a month. Prices vary depending on the type of formula you use. For example, specialized formulas can be up to 20 percent more expensive than the iron-fortified, cow’s-milk variety.
The least expensive option is usually powdered formula that you mix yourself. Next comes liquid concentrate and finally, at the top of the formula pyramid, ready-to-feed.
Looking for a way to keep costs down but not ready to give up on convenience? One approach is to splurge on ready-to-feed formula during your baby’s first few weeks when sleep is hard to come by and the last thing you want to do is measure and mix at 2 a.m.
Another way to save on formula? Try registering on the manufacturer’s website for coupons and rebate checks. Buying generic formula will also save you money.
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Prevent Uncomfortable Engorgement Leaking And Clogged Ducts
When you start introducing formula, your breast milk production will take a few days to adjust to the reduced demand. In the interim, your breasts may become uncomfortably engorged, which can lead to embarrassing leakage, clogged ducts or even mastitis a painful infection of the breast tissue.
Thus experts generally advise introducing formula slowly, gradually replacing breastfeeding sessions with formula feeding.
One method is to replace one nursing session per week with a formula feeding session. Start by giving your baby one bottle of formula at around the same time each day. This will train your body to stop producing milk at that time.
Another way to start introducing formula, according to the National Childbirth Trust, a nonprofit based in Britain, is the top it off method, which involves giving a small amount of formula after a nursing session. The extra nourishment will make your baby feel more full, extending the time until your next nursing session and gradually reducing the amount of milk you produce at that time.
If your breasts still become engorged, you can relieve some of the pressure by pumping or hand expressing a little milk, but only until you feel relief, said Dr. Neifert. She warned against draining your breasts completely, as that signals to your breasts to continue to produce milk.
What Is The Best Infant Formula
It depends on what works best for your baby. Most babies do well with formula that’s cow’s-milk-based the milk protein is altered to make it easier for your baby to digest. There are also partially and extensively hydrolyzed formulas, soy-based formula, lactose-free formula, organic formula, and several specialty formulas. Ask your baby’s doctor for recommendations.
Formula comes in three forms: powdered, liquid concentrate, and ready-to-use. Powdered formula is the most economical and eco-friendly option, but it takes longer to prepare since you’ll need to measure it out and mix it with water to make bottles for your baby. Once you open a can, it’s good for a month.
Liquid concentrate is a little quicker to prepare, but it’s more expensive. Ready-to-use formula is the most convenient , but it’s also the most expensive option. And once you open a container of concentrate or ready-to-use formula, you’ll need to use it within 48 hours.
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How To Feed A Combination Of Breast Milk And Formula
New mothers hear so much about the advantages of breastfeeding over formula feeding that it can seem like a revelation to realize that you can do both at the same time.
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This guide was originally published on May 5, 2019 in NYT Parenting.
When I was a new mother, I heard so much about the advantages of breastfeeding over formula feeding that it felt like my only options were either breast milk or formula. So much so that it seemed like a revelation when I finally realized I could do both at the same time.
I was not alone in this realization, of course. Many women successfully combination feed a practice that involves giving babies formula in addition to breast milk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of three breastfeeding mothers in the United States supplements her breast milk with formula by the time her baby reaches 6 months of age.
Many women find that their babies switch between breast and bottle and between breast milk and formula with ease. For others, there are hiccups along the way.
Formula Can Be Pricey How Can I Save Money
Shop around for the best deals on the formula you’ve chosen:
- Take advantage of the free samples and coupons sent to you in the first few months after your baby is born.
- Clip coupons and sign up for online coupon clubs and apps that let you print and save coupons.
- Sign up for formula companies’ clubs and special programs that may offer discounts, coupons, and/or free formula and other products.
- Compare prices on formula at online retailers. Some online stores have special “mom” clubs that let you save regularly on some products every month.
- Check for specials at your grocery store, baby store retailer, or local wholesale/bulk items store.
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Can Babies Drink Too Much Formula
If youre concerned that your baby is feeding too much, there are some signs to watch out for. These will probably be very obvious, such as vomiting , or experiencing tummy pain or tension after a feed.
Although some spit up is perfectly normal in babies, if your little one is spitting up very frequently or in large quantities, it might mean that he or she is drinking too much. Feeding more frequently, but with a less volume at each feed, could help.
If you feel your baby is gaining weight rapidly, speak to your doctor about whether he or she thinks your baby might be feeding too much. This is most likely to happen if you feed your baby when they arent actually hungry, but are simply bored or wanting attention, or even just needing to be burped! Your pediatrician may recommend alternatives to defaulting to another bottle, such as cuddling or playing with your baby. Youll also want to make sure that youre preparing formula in the right proportions, so that your baby isnt accidentally getting too much formula powder and too little water.
As youll note from the formula feeding chart, older babies have fewer feeds , with larger bottles at each feed. Still, your baby should not be intaking more than 32 fl oz of formula per 24-hour period.
Is It Okay To Use Generic Or Store
Yes. All formula brands must meet the FDA’s requirements for nutrients in formula, so in many instances, the only difference between generic and brand name is the price.
Whether you’re buying generic or name brand, take a minute to look at the label before you purchase the formula. Specific ingredients do vary from brand to brand, and this can make a difference to your baby.
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Baby Formula: 3 Forms To Choose From
Although breast milk offers newborns all the nutrition they need, not every mom can or chooses to breastfeed. And, moms who do breastfeed may find that supplementing with infant formula is a practical alternative if they go back to work or when someone else feeds the baby.
Commercially prepared baby formulas are FDA-regulated to provide babies all the nutrients they need. They come in three main forms:
- Powders. The least expensive option, these are usually mixed with water – one scoop to two ounces of water.
- Liquid concentrates. Pricier than powders, these are generally diluted with an equal part of water.
- Ready-to-use baby formulas. Often the most expensive and convenient, ready-to-use formulas can be poured straight into babyâs bottle.
What About Organic Or Store Brand
Now you know that ingredients should be the number one factor in a formula choice. If you can find your dream ingredients in a store-brand formula celebrate! Thats what I call shoe money! But lets be honest, we both know youll spend it on diapers.
Similarly, organic ingredients are desirable to many families. However, the ingredients matter more. If full-size proteins cause your infant to be uncomfortable and sleep less, then an organic full-size protein formula is not the best choice for your unique baby. The ingredients are all that matter.
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Topics Covered For Formula Feeding
If your baby is healthy, skip the “What to Do” section. Go directly to the topic number that relates to your question for advice:
How Much Formula Should You Feed An Infant
Babies grow fast, so their feeding needs change quickly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following general guidelines for the first year:
First days: If your baby is exclusively formula feeding, offer them 1 to 2 fl oz of formula every two to three hours, or about eight to 12 times in 24 hours. Hunger cues like crying may also indicate your little one is ready for their next meal.
Through the first five months: As your babys belly grows, so will the time between feedings since theyll be able to consume more at each feeding. By five months, babies eat about 6 to 7 fl oz once every three to four hours. You may have to gently wake your baby to feed.
Months six through twelve: Feed your baby when they show signs of hunger, which may be about five or six times in 24 hours. The need for formula will decrease as you begin introducing solid foods into their diet.
All babies are different and have unique needs. Have a conversation with your healthcare provider to discuss your babys feeding pattern.
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What If Youre Breastfeeding And Formula
For moms who do a blend of breast milk and formula, there are no set rules for how often and how much a newborn should eat of each. Youll want to aim for at least six to eight feedings per day of one type of milk or the other but since breast milk and formula are nutritionally equivalent, its simply a matter of finding the mix that works best for you and baby. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months if possible. Even if you plan to eventually supplement with formula, breastfeeding during that critical period can help better establish your breast milk supply for the months ahead.
Big Breakthrough: Evaporated Milk
Perhaps the greatest advance in milk science occurred before the Civil War. Gail Borden discovered and patented a process of heating milk to high temperatures in sealed kettles, which removed close to half the water content of the milk. By adding sugar as a preservative to the resulting product, Gail Borden invented sweetened “condensed” milk that had a long shelf life and could be transported easily without fear of spoilage. Condensed milk was an invaluable ration for soldiers during the Civil War and was later promoted to mothers as an infant food. Because of its high sugar content, however, physicians discouraged its use as an infant formula.
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How Much Formula Is Enough
Newborns start out with a stomach that can hold only a small amount at first. One to 2 ounces per feeding is usually enough early on, but by the time your baby is 2 months old, for example, sheâll need 24 to 32 ounces a day and about six to seven feedings in a 24-hour period.
Hereâs a rough idea of how much formula your baby needs, and how often she needs to be fed:
Over a longer period of time your babyââ¬â¢s healthcare provider will be able to check that your baby is eating enough by checking that sheââ¬â¢s growing well. Your provider will use tools like the baby growth charts to keep track. Read more about how your provider will use the baby growth charts in the first 24 months.
As your baby grows, sheââ¬â¢ll also need to go up a diaper size, too. Take this quiz to check which diaper size is right for your baby and view our diaper size and weight chart to help you decide.
Heres A Guide To How Much Milk Or Formula Your Baby Should Be Drinking By Age:
| Baby’s Age | |
| 10-12 feeds per day every 2-3 hours or on demand |
24oz |
| 6-8 feeds per day every 3 hours | 28oz |
| 4-6 feeds per day | 28oz |
How much milk a baby needs depends on their age, and the amount that a baby eats varies from one little one to the next. So, dont worry if these rough guidelines are different to your own feeding schedule.
The older your baby gets, the more predictable their feeding routine will be. You’ll soon get into the swing of things!
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Bottles For Expressed Breastmilk Or Infant Formula
When buying bottles, remember that:
- You will need at least 3 large bottles with leak-proof caps, discs and teats.
- Plastic bottles are better, because glass breaks more easily.
- Bottles should be smooth on the inside surface , so they are easy to clean properly.
- Bottles should have clearly marked measurement guides that will not wear off over time.
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Fully Hydrolyzed Protein Formula
Fully hydrolyzed proteins are tiny. If you can partially hydrolyze a protein, then you can fully hydrolyze a protein! In our car analogy, fully hydrolyzed proteins are more like a skateboard.
Fully hydrolyzed proteins are also hypoallergenic. These protein pieces are so small that they wont trigger an allergy in a child who is allergic to full-size cows milk protein. Youll see the word hypoallergenic clearly on the front of the can.
These formulas are for infants with a cows milk allergy or babies who have had severe digestive issues. But these are not common issues. For that reason, fully hydrolyzed formulas are specialized enough that you should not just try them without a doctor specifically recommending it.
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How To Transition To Whole Milk
And now the million-dollar question: How exactly do you make the transition from one creamy drink to the other?
Thankfully, you dont have to stealthily remove babys favorite bottle the minute they blow out the candle on their first birthday cake. Instead, you may prefer to switch from formula to milk somewhat gradually especially since some babies digestive tracts take a little time to get used to a steady intake of cows milk.
In cases where a child experiences tummy upset or constipation, mixing breast milk or formula with cows milk may smooth the transition, says Lvova. I recommend starting with 3/4 bottle or cup breastmilk or formula and 1/4 bottle or cup cows milk for a few days, then increasing to 50 percent milk for a few days, 75 percent milk for a few days, and finally giving the baby 100 percent cows milk.
According to the AAP, babies from 12 to 24 months should receive 16 to 24 ounces of whole milk every day. Its possible to break this up into numerous cups or bottles throughout the day but it may be easier and more convenient to simply offer two or three 8-ounce servings at mealtimes.