Baby formulas are specially made to meet babies’ nutritional needs. Although breast milk is the best source of nutrition for your baby, you shouldn’t feel bad or guilty if you are unable or choose not to breastfeed.
The doctor will usually recommend a formula made from cow’s milk and most doctors recommend using an iron-fortified formula. Some formulas are iron-fortified (which means they have extra iron in them). Some formulas have very little iron or none at all. Regular cow’s milk is not the same as infant formula made from cow’s milk. Some formulas are made of soy milk instead of cow’s milk. If the baby seems to be allergic to formula made from cow’s milk, use a soy-milk formula. Use infant formula for the first year. Babies aren’t ready for regular cow’s milk until about the time of their first birthday.
Baby formula is sold in several forms, which are ready-to-use, concentrated liquid, and powder kinds. Ready-to-use formula is the most expensive kinds of formula but no mixing is necessary. Concentrated liquid formula is a less expensive kinds. All you have to do is mix the formula liquid with an equal part of water. Powder formula is the least expensive kinds of formula. Mother mix one level scoop of powdered formula with 2 ounces of water and stir well.
Sometimes it may be necessary to change the kind of formula that your baby drinks. Some of the reasons why your baby’s formula may need to be changed are extreme fussiness, certain food allergies, or a need for more iron. Changing formula for baby is not as simple as changing any drinks for adults. Dry, red and scaly skin, Diarrhea, Extreme fatigue or weakness and Forceful vomiting are some effect that can baby get if something wrong with the formula’s changing process. Its better to talk with your doctor before changing your baby’s formula
Don’t forget to sterilize bottles and nipples before you use them for the first time. You can do this by putting them in boiling water for 5 minutes. After that first time, you probably don’t need to sterilize them again. Instead, wash bottle, nipples and caps in hot, soapy water. Rinse them carefully. You can also run them through the dishwasher, which kills more germs than washing by hand.
In the mixing process, the most important thing to know is that you must follow the directions on the formula container exactly. Always measure carefully and never add extra water to the formula. You should also wash your hands before preparing the formula. If you use well water or there are problems with the water in your town, you may want to boil the water first or use bottled water. If you boil the water, let it cool off before mixing it with the formula. Always use a clean cup to measure the water.
Think twice before heat the bottles in the microwave. Microwaves heat foods and liquids unevenly, and this can cause hot spots in the formula that can burn your baby. Besides, heating the bottles could be poison for your baby because the heating process can produce chemical things that can contaminate the formula which is dangerours for babies health.
You can probably feed your baby a bottle without warming it first. It is okay for the formula to be cool or room temperature. If your baby seems to prefer warm formula, put the filled bottle in a container of warm water and let it stand for a few minutes. Check the temperature of the formula on your skin before feeding it to your baby, to be sure it isn’t too hot. The formula should only be lukewarm.