PREGNANCY & CHILDHOOD

7 Important Things to Do When Formula Feeding

7 Important Things to Do When Formula Feeding

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Decide which formula is right for your baby and learn how to serve it safely to your infant.

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JUL. 13, 2021  4 MIN. READ
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Once you've decided that formula feeding is in your postpartum plan, you might be overwhelmed with the variety of options. Given the number of formulas available, it's difficult to know which to choose. Additionally, learning the dos and don'ts of preparing formula for your baby can be a challenging postpartum task in and of itself. Here's how to decide which formula is right for your baby and how to feed your infant safely.

Choosing the Right Formula for Your Baby

For guidance, always start with a recommendation from your baby’s health care professional – who knows you and your baby well. Several types of formula are available. The most widely recommended variety is a cow's milk-based formula with iron. Fortunately, all formulas provide vitamins and minerals for your baby's development. For babies with lactose sensitivity, a sensitive infant formula that includes carbohydrates, such as maltodextrins, instead of lactose may be best. If a sensitive formula still makes your baby gassy, try a partially hydrolyzed formula, which uses whey protein.

Soy formulas are plant-based formulas available to vegetarian families or babies who can't tolerate dairy. There are also specialized formulas for those with dairy and soy allergies.

When choosing a formula for your baby, consider the ingredients and the way in which the formula is prepared. Generally, there are three forms of formula: powdered, concentrated liquid and ready-to-feed. The type you choose depends on your baby's preference and your budget. Powdered formulas tend to be the most affordable but require more measuring and mixing, while ready-to-feed formulas are the most expensive but don't require any preparation.

With all the options available, you'll need to weigh your baby's needs, your budget, and your desired ease of use. Use the Similac Formula Finder to help determine the formula that's right for your baby.

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What to Consider When Preparing Formula

Now that you've decided on a formula, follow these guidelines to ensure feeding time goes smoothly.

1. Don't let the formula sit out.

If possible, prepare a bottle of formula immediately before feeding your baby. If you do have to mix a few bottles ahead of time refrigerate immediately. This is a good food-safety practice to minimize any potential microbial growth. Refrigerate any bottle you won't use immediately and serve it within 24 hours – or according to the refrigerated storage time on the product label.

2. Throw away any of the formula left in a bottle after a feeding.

Discard any formula left in the bottle as leftover formula has now been exposed to baby’s mouth and the environment and could spoil.

3. Know how much formula to prepare.

Since any excess formula will go to waste, it's best to measure the proper amount. For the first 6 months of life, a baby needs about 2 to 2.5 ounces of formula per pound per day. If your baby is 10 pounds, that's about 20 to 25 ounces per day. That said, each baby will eat a different amount. Look for cues to assess whether your child is full. They may turn their head to the side or stop sucking.

4. Don't microwave the formula.

Heating up formula doesn't offer advantages or health benefits. If your baby will take a cold bottle, don't heat it up. If they do prefer warm formula, use a bottle warmer or submerge the bottle in warm water, rather than using the microwave. One of the concerns in using a microwave oven for heating is the difficulty in temperature regulation; high temperatures may be reached very quickly. It is important to check the temperature of the prepared formula just prior to feeding.

5. Measure the water carefully.

Although it may be enticing to eyeball the amount of water you add to the formula, it's important to carefully follow the instructions on the container.  Measure the water first, and then add powder or concentrate. Too much water will dilute the nutrients in the formula.

6. Store the formula properly.

Follow the storage instructions on the label. Prepared formula should be refrigerated after opening or preparing.  Unopened formulas should be stored in a cool, dry place.

7. Check the "use by" date.

Most powdered formulas need to be used within one month of opening the container. If it takes you a while to finish a container of formula, write the date that you opened it directly on the container. Check the label for any specific instructions or a "use by" date, and don't serve the formula after that time.

Formula feeding doesn't have to be hard. By assessing your baby's feeding needs and following the best practices for preparing a bottle, you can help your infant grow properly and stay healthy.

What to Expect with Premature Baby Development

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Waiting for a baby to arrive is a time full of excitement and anticipation. And sometimes those bundles of joy decide to come too early. It can be a scary time, but there is good news. Over the last few decades, there have been major advancements that has made feeding preemies in the NICU easier and more effective than ever. And these tiny babies need all the nutrition they can get, as they are finishing their growth and development outside in the real world versus inside mom's womb.

When parents unexpectedly find themselves with a preemie, it's perfectly natural to have a lot of questions about premature baby development while your newborn is in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). And since your baby is so small, it's crucial that she receive the nutrition she needs to help her grow, develop, meet her milestones and go home.

What Are Human Milk Oligosaccharides

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In their first year of life, think of all the sights, sounds and smells newborns get to experience for the first time.

As a parent, watching your child explore the world is fascinating, but you may also be a little concerned too. In this short span of time, your little one will likely be exposed to more than a thousand species of bacteria — all helping to build his or her developing immune system.

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