To use formula you first need to know a bit about it and then decide what type to use. Most formula milk is
made from cow's milk and is designed to be as much like breast milk as possible. Formula contains elements essential to your
baby's health such as fat, protein, carbohydrate, vitamins and minerals. Some also have long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids
(LCPs) added which are believed to boost brain development. In today's market there is an enormous array of formulas to choose
from and which you choose depend on you and your babies personal preference, each formula is slightly different and as a result
tastes slightly different.
Formula comes in powder form, usually big tins or packets, or now in individual cartons, ready made, these
are great for emergencies or if you are going somewhere where you can't get water, but if you can it is far cheaper to take
a container which is made to carry small amounts of pre measured formula, in powder form and then you can just add the water,
you can get these containers online or in baby stores.
Formula tends to come in two stages, the first stage, made from whey, is most like breast milk, so best for
newborns and young babies. Second stage milk, casing-based, is designed for hungrier babies and takes longer to digest. Although
suitable from birth the protein isn't as close to breast milk as that found in first stage milk. If you choose to at a later
stage you can also give follow on milk, this is given to babies six months and up it contains extra iron, which your baby
will need by this age. Iron can be given in other ways, the choice is yours.
It seems to be more and more common that babies are having problems with cow's milk product, if this is the
case with yours there is a Soya based formula which maybe tolerated better. But before you change to it is best to speak to
a medical professional as it is high in sugar and is not suitable for all babies. There are other alternatives that they can
suggest that can be given on prescription. There are many deals to be had online for buying formula so once you have made
your decision which to use check it out to see if you can get it at a better price.
How often to feed
As we mentioned earlier with breast feeding most
experts i.e. mums would seem to agree that you shouldn't follow a rigid schedules in the early weeks, though you may be able
to work out an approximate pattern within a month or two. Offer the bottle every two to three hours at first or as your baby
seems hungry. Until the baby reaches about 10 pounds, they will probably take one to three ounces per feeding. Try not to
force more than they are ready to eat. Your mid wife should advise you about suitable amounts for your baby as they grow.
Sterilizing the bottles
You can buy a sterilizer at any baby store,
we have found in talking to mothers that many didn't use conventional sterilizers they simply used boiling water this is up
to you but it is recomendanded that newborns bottles are sterilized.
Before using bottles, nipples, and rings, you should submerge them in a pot of boiling water for at least
five minutes. Then allow them to dry on a clean towel. After about 6 month it is ok just to give bottles etc a
good cleaning in hot, soapy water, a cycle through the dishwasher should be enough. The choice of how to clean them is yours
it is just important that they are cleaned thoroughly.
Sterilize my drinking water
for making formula
Many mums do sterilize the water used to mix up the formula, especially in the newborn
months, but you don't need to unless your midwife recommends it due to your local water supply. If you do choose to boil the
water you use to mix the formula, save yourself time by preparing enough for the whole day in the morning
Warming a bottle
There is no health reason to feed a baby warmed
milk it is a matter of what your baby prefers or gets used to. When you're ready to feed your baby, you can warm a bottle
in a pan of hot but not boiling water, or by running it under the tap, you can also buy a bottle warmer designed for this
purpose, it is not a good idea to warm bottles in the microwave as it can destroy the nutrients and it is suggested that there
could be pockets of heat.
If your baby is accustomed to drinking bottles at room temperature or cold you save yourself
the time and hassle of preheating bottles, especially when they are crying to be fed, or your somewhere where you can't warm
the milk.
Positions to feed in
It takes a while to feed your baby so it is
important that you are both in a comfortable position. Your baby will tell you if they are not in the right position and you
can move them, remember to do yourself the same courtesy, many mums just suffer in silence with aching arms and backs; there
is no need for that experiment till you find a way that you are comfortable. It is worth telling you to not prop a bottle
up to feed your child, not that we think you would be just in case don't as there is a risk that the child will choke.
