How Do I Clean And Disinfect The Bottles And Equipment To Make Formula
Wash bottles thoroughly with soap and water. Then, disinfect the bottles and equipment used to make formula. To learn how to wash and disinfect, see HealthLinkBC File #69b Feeding Your Baby Formula: Safely Making and Storing Formula.
Artificial nipples wear down over time. Throw away nipples that are cracked, sticky or torn. New disposable bottle liners are sterile and ready to use. Use a new liner for every feed.
Can I Switch Formula Brands
Switching baby formula is definitely okay if it is something your baby needs. But if you arent sure, then it is probably best to stay with the current formula. Never switch formulas just because you have a free sample or other incentives that have nothing to do with your childs health.
You might worry that switching formulas will result in tummy upset for your little one, but rest assured that it isnt likely. All babies have gas, and a new formula likely wont change that. What might happen is that the bowel movements could change a bit, such as frequency or color. Some formulas can cause constipation in your baby, while others might lead to diarrhea. If this happens, talk to your doctoryour baby might have a true formula allergy. But keep in mind that this is very rare!
Is Breastmilk More Filling Than Formula
Simply put, yes, formula can be more filling. The answer is not what you would imagine. The reason why baby formulas are more filling than breastmilk is because babies can drink MORE of formulas. Give them formula second, so they can still receive all the antibodies from the breastmilk and get filled up on the formula.
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What Kind Of Bottle Should I Use
Bottles come in different shapes and sizes. They can be made of glass, plastic, silicone, or stainless steel. Here are some differences:
Plastic bottles are now “BPA-free” meaning that they do not contain the chemical bisphenol A . This chemical may be harmful and is found in some plastics, but is banned from baby bottles. Years ago, some plastic baby bottles had BPA in them, but none do now.
Glass bottles. Glass bottles can cause injury if broken, but silicone sleeves make them easier to grip and help prevent breaks.
Silicone bottles and stainless steel bottles are newer options. They are unbreakable but tend to be more expensive than plastic or glass.
Some babies do better with certain bottle shapes, vented bottles, or bottles with liners on the inside. You may need to try a few kinds before you find what works best for you and your baby.
To get you through the first week or so, you’ll need to have enough formula, water, bottles, and nipples. Burp cloths and a bottle/nipple brush will also come in handy.
Once you get in the swing of feeding your baby, you may find it’s worth investing in more or different kinds of bottles, or items that can make the feeding process go a little smoother . A bottle sterilizer is not necessary, but you should sterilize all feeding supplies before the first use.
How Much Formula Does My Baby Need
The number of feeds and the amount of formula taken at each feed varies between infants and over time. The formula can will give general guidelines about how much formula your baby may need.
Babies are usually fed on demand, so learn your babys hunger signs. Some sleepy newborn babies may need waking up to feed. If you are worried because your baby is sleepy and hard to feed, talk to your midwife, doctor or nurse.
In hot weather or if your baby is sick, they may need extra feeds.
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Your Question What Kind Of Formula Do You Give A Newborn
Most babies do well on cows milk formula. Some babies, however such as those allergic to the proteins in cows milk need other types of infant formula. Soy-based formulas. Soy-based formulas can be useful if you want to exclude animal proteins from your childs diet.
What Do I Need To Make Formula
You will need the following items to make formula and feed it to your baby:
- Bottles, rings, nipples, discs, caps
- Tongs, spoons, mixing utensils, can opener
- Digital thermometer
- Large pot with a lid or a kettle for boiling water
- Safe drinking water
If you do not have a safe source of drinking water, use ready-to-feed formula. You can also make store-bought liquid concentrate or powdered formulas with bottled water that has an unopened seal. If you are not sure if your water is safe, check with your local public health unit.
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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.
Signs Your Baby Is Hungry
Moves head from side to side
Nuzzles against your breasts
Puckers lips as if to suck
Sticking out their tongues
- Instant formula, cow’s milk based
Look for an infant formula containing about
11.5 mg/100 mL of Docosahexaenoic Acid
This will help ensure your baby is getting a DHA
level similar to the average level in world wide
breast milk.*
DHA is an Omega-3 fat prominent in your baby’s brain and important for his normal brain and eye development. By your baby’s 2nd birthday, most of his brain growth will have already occurred.
TIP
If using an infant formula, use a formula supplemented with docosahexaenoic acid. Once on solids, fatty fish is another excellent way to ensure your baby’s diet is rich in DHA
0 to 6 months: 0.32% of total fatty acids.
Iron is essential for your baby’s physical and mental growth, and as he grows he needs more to avoid iron deficiency anemia. Once your baby is on solids, make sure you provide iron rich foods.
Iron from animal products, especially meat, is absorbed more easily than from other sources. Vitamin C also helps absorption of iron from plant sources .
Your baby needs calcium for healthy development, especially of his bones and teeth.
The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends not introducing pasteurized whole cow’s milk until at least 9-12 months of age.
Breast milk provides the optional nutrition for your baby.
- 6-8 wet diapers a day
- Loose yellowish stool (1st month
- Appropriate weight gain
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What Supplies Do I Need
Start with the basics:
- water
- bottles
- nipples
Burp cloths and a bottle/nipple brush will also come in handy. As you get in the swing of feeding your baby, you may find it’s worth getting other supplies, like a bottle drying rack or dishwasher basket.
You dont need a bottle sterilizer, but do sterilize bottles and nipples by boiling them for 5 minutes before the first use.
Choose The Right Bottle
There are so many options when it comes to baby bottles! Glass or Plastic? It seems overwhelming when you consider all the possibilities, but remember youll find one that works for your baby, although it may take some trial and error. When your baby is breastfeeding, he or she is used to having to work for milk, rather than having the milk flow out freely, and they will be used to this.
For this reason, its a good idea to find a bottle with a slow-flow nipple, which is more similar for babies to the feeling of breastfeeding. Luckily, most bottles designed for young babies come equipped with this kind of nipple. You may need to experiment with a few different bottles until you find one that your baby likes.
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Types Of Infant Formula
There are four main types of infant formula:
- Cows milk-based formula. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics , cows milk-based formula makes up about 80% of all formula sold. As its name implies, cows milk is the main ingredient in this type of formulabut the milk is modified to make it safe and more easily digestible for infants. Keep in mind that some babies are allergic to the protein in cows milk and may need an alternate type of formula.
- Hydrolyzed formula. These types of formulas contain protein that has already been broken down into smaller proteins that can be more easily digested. Often marketed as calm or gentlease, these predigested formulas may be either partially or exclusively hydrolyzed. According to the Mayo Clinic, theyre designed for babies who cant tolerate cows milk or soy-based formulas or for babies who have a protein allergy.
- Soy formula. Formulas made from soy milk contain a protein and a carbohydrate like glucose or sucrose. They are useful if youre looking to exclude animal products from your babys diet or if your baby is unable to digest lactose.
- Specialized formula. Specialized formula is available for babies with certain medical needs or preterm babies.
Infant formula also comes in three forms:
- Powdered formula needs to be mixed with water.
- Concentrated liquid formula also needs to be mixed with water.
- Ready-to-use formula, also called ready-to-feed, is premixed and doesnt need any additional water added.
Quick Answer: Can You Give A Newborn Baby Formula
Your newborn babys belly is tiny. He or she does not need a lot of infant formula with each feeding to be full. You can start by offering your baby 1 to 2 ounces of infant formula every 2 to 3 hours in the first days of life if your baby is only getting infant formula and no breast milk.
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Combining Breast Milk And Formula
It is possible to breastfeed and to supplement with formula.
But some moms wonder if they should or could mix their breast milk with formula.
Its not recommended because if your baby doesnt drink all of it, you will waste your breast milk. Since breast milk is better for your babys health and digestion, feed them all the breast milk you have first. Then give your baby formula afterwards if they need more.
Additionally, never add formula powder to your breastmilk in order to increase calories.
Your baby needs the right combination of calories and liquid for their health and hydration. If they become full without getting enough liquid, severe health problems may result.
Electrolyte imbalances and dehydration can lead to cellular problems.
Formula is thoroughly researched and made perfectly for your baby. It has the right ratio of powder to water, so make it as directed to keep your baby safe.
When Can Babies Drink Regular
If your baby is around 6 months old, you can offer small amounts of cooled boiled tap water but you should not replace their breastmilk or formula feeds. Breastmilk or formula should still be their main drink up to 12 months of age. After 12 months, their main drink should be water and cows milk or breastmilk.
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When Can You Start Feeding Your Baby Solid Foods
Most babies are ready to start solid food when they double their birthweight and weigh about 13 pounds. This usually is about 4 months of age.
Look for cues that your baby is ready for solid food. She may be ready if:
- She can sit up in a feeding seat and hold her head up with good control.
- She opens her mouth and reaches for your food.
- She can move food from a spoon into her mouth.
Can I Go Straight From Breastfeeding To Formula
If you plan to continue breastfeeding alongside formula feeding, its usually recommended to wait until your baby is at least a month old before introducing formula. If at all possible, make it a gradual transition, but this isnt always an option, and your baby will be just fine when you make the switch.
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The Search For A Breast Milk Substitute
A longtime goal of nutritionists and physicians was to develop an adequate breast milk substitute. In the early 19th century, it was observed that infants fed unaltered cow’s milk had a high mortality rate and were prone to “indigestion” and dehydration compared with those who were breastfed. In 1838, a German scientist, Johann Franz Simon, published the first chemical analysis of human and cow’s milk, which served as the basis for formula nutrition science for decades to follow. He discovered that cow’s milk had a higher protein content and a lower carbohydrate content than human milk. In addition, he believed that the larger curds of cow’s milk , were responsible for the”indigestibility of cow’s milk.”2
Empirically, physicians began to recommend that water, sugar, and cream be added to cow’s milk to render it more digestible and closer to human milk. By 1860, a German chemist, Justus von Leibig, developed the first commercial baby food, a powdered formula made from wheat flour, cow’s milk, malt flour, and potassium bicarbonate. The formula, which was added to heated cow’s milk, soon became popular in Europe. Leibig’s Soluble Infant Food was the first commercial baby food in the US, selling in groceries for $1 a bottle in 1869.
What Else You Can Do
Focus on food. You should continue feeding with formula until age one, but babies older than six months can start getting more nutrition from solid foods too. “This is a great time to prioritize high quality, nutrient-dense foods,” says Dr. Young. Even new eaters can have pureed meat, pureed avocado, or baby cereal with a teaspoon of olive oil or butter stirred in. “When you provide more nutrients and calories from food, your baby will likely drink less formula.”
Reach out to your pediatrician or local hospital. If you’re in a desperate situation, Brown says that pediatricians usually get samples of formula , so reach out. If you’re eligible for WIC or SNAP benefits, both may have infant formula as well. Other places to check: Women’s shelters, food banks, and faith-based organizations that provide food assistance.
Consider breast milk. If you can’t breastfeed, breast milk banks can provide safe, pasteurized breast milk . But “informal” breast milk sharingsuch as between friends and neighbors or via donors found onlineis not recommended for health and safety reasons.
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