Formula is the next best thing for your baby after breast milk because it's designed to be as much like breast milk as possible. There are many varieties of formula on the market today, most of which are cow milk-based with added nutrients. There are also alternative forms, such as soy-based formulas, for those babies who have allergies to, or just can't tolerate standard formula. Whatever formula you choose, be sure it's iron fortified to prevent iron deficiency anemia. The amount of iron in iron-fortified formula is too small to make your baby constipated or cause diarrhea. Don't put your baby on a low-iron formula or stop formula feeding without checking with your provider first.
Formula is recommended through the first year of life for those babies who aren't breast-fed, babies who are breast-fed but need formula as a supplement, or babies who are weaned from breast feeding before they're a year old. Whole cow's milk should not be given to infants under 12 months of age. The use of cow's milk before your baby's first birthday increases the risk of iron deficiency anemia as well as the development of allergies. Although cow's milk can be introduced into your baby's diet after 12 months of age, it should be whole milk until your baby is 2 years old. Milk with less butterfat than whole milk, like 2% or Skim, doesn't have enough fat content to support a toddler's rapidly growing brain.
To begin feeding, start by washing your hands. If your baby is sleepy, checking her diaper prior to the feeding is often a good way to wake her up. Make sure to wash your hands again after checking her diaper. Sit in a comfortable position. Several pillows may also help with positioning.
Place your baby's head in the crook of your arm. Hold your baby close, turned slightly toward you, with his head slightly higher that the rest of his body. It's very important to elevate your baby's head so that formula doesn't back up from the back of his throat, through his Eustachian tubes, and into his middle ear because this can cause an ear infection. Tip the bottle slightly to fill the nipple with milk and prevent your baby from swallowing any air. Tickle your baby's lips gently with the nipple until they open wide and latch on. Make sure his tongue is below the nipple and his mouth has made a tight seal. Keep the bottle at a slight angle to make sure your baby is not sucking air as he drinks.
It is important to NEVER prop a bottle. Feeding time is an important time for physical contact between parent and baby. Propping a bottle not only robs your baby of needed cuddling, but is also a safety hazard because your baby can easily choke. In older infants propping bottles or putting baby to bed with a bottle can cause serious decay in his early teeth.
Most commercial formulas are available in three different forms. They are ready-to-feed, concentrated liquid, and powder. In the hospital you'll be given the ready-to-feed formula of your choice. Hospital ready-to-feed formula comes pre-measured in single-feed bottles. While your baby may not drink the entire bottle at one feeding, do not save whatever's left. A new bottle should be used for each feeding. While ready-to-feed formula is probably the most convenient, it's also the most expensive. Concentrates and powders are less expensive but do require more preparation. Most families find powdered formula to be the most convenient since you can mix it up when you need it, and don't have to worry about unmixed portions going bad if not used immediately.
Always follow the directions exactly when you're mixing formula. Formula, like breast milk, has all of the nutrients that your baby needs. Adding extra water or other things like sugar, honey, or cereal, isn't necessary and can be harmful to your baby.
Bottles can be prepared one at a time, as they're needed, or in batches if it's more convenient. If you have city water in your home, boiling the water prior to preparing single bottles of formula isn't necessary. Most city water supplies are quite safe. If you have well water or plan to prepare formula in batches, it is recommended that you boil it for at least 10 minutes or use distilled or bottled water until your baby is at least 6 months old. Prepared formula must be kept in the refrigerator and thrown away if it's not used within 48 hours after you make it.
Keep all of your formula and bottle supplies in a clean dry place. Some health care professionals recommend that all bottles and nipples be sterilized for the first 2 months of your baby's life, while others suggest only an initial sterilization is necessary. Discuss with your provider what they feel is best for your baby. Whether sterilized or not, bottles and nipples should be thoroughly cleaned between feedings. Most of today's products are dishwasher safe or you can wash them by hand in hot soapy water, using a bottlebrush. Many parents today choose bottles with disposable liners to cut down on cleaning time.
Your baby will eat roughly 6 to 8 feedings a day, or every 4 to 6 hours, during the first 4 to 6 weeks of her life. In general, you can estimate how many ounces per feeding your baby should be eating by adding 3 to your baby's age in months, up to a maximum of 8 ounces per feeding when she's 5 to 6 months old. You don't have to pre-warm bottles, although your baby may appreciate it if you do.
Most babies will drink formula at room temperature or even straight out of the refrigerator. To warm a bottle, place it in a bowl of warm water. Allowing bottles to warm at room temperature can promote bacterial growth. NEVER microwave a baby bottle. Because liquids heat unevenly, what feels lukewarm to you on the outside may have pockets of scalding hot formula on the inside.
If your baby stops sucking, or appears to be falling asleep during feeding, gently wiggle or rotate the nipple in your baby's mouth to stimulate her sucking reflex. If your baby pushes away from the nipple or falls asleep completely, she's telling you that she's had enough. A normal baby, with an adequate suck, should be able to finish a feeding in under 20 minutes. If she usually takes longer than 20 minutes, you may be feeding your baby too much or the nipple may be clogged. Any remaining formula should be thrown away if it's not used within an hour of the start of the feeding.