Roughly 23 percent of babies in the United States are exclusively fed formula milk and never breastfeed, and the majority of babies will transfer from breast milk to infant formula during the first year of life. Infant formula is designed to meet the complete nutritional needs of babies and may be the best choice for you and your child.
Nowadays, many mothers feel pressure to breastfeed, and while it’s true that breast milk is the ideal source of nutrition for babies, infant formula is still a healthy choice. If you’re unable to breastfeed or prefer not to, you shouldn’t worry about having to feed your baby infant formula.
To help give you the information that you need to formula feed your baby successfully, this article will reveal some information for new mum guidance:
Infant Formula Milk Feeding Guide
Infant formula will play an important role in your baby’s nutrition throughout at least his or her first year of life. You want to make sure that you’re giving your little one the best formula to help him or her grow strong and develop properly, but which type is right? Just follow this guide to find the best infant formula for your little one.
1.Choose the Right Formula Milk Type
Infant formula comes in three different forms, each of which is designed to meet different nutritional needs.
- Cow’s Milk – Cow’s milk formula is produced from cow’s milk that is put through special processes to make it as similar to breast milk as possible. Most pediatricians recommend that parents use cow’s milk formula unless their babies cannot tolerate it.
- Soy Formula – Soy formula is made from soybeans and is a dairy-free option. Typically, soy is recommended for babies that develop gastric symptoms like gas or vomiting from cow’s milk formula.
- Protein Hydro lysate – Protein hydro lysate formula has been processed to make its protein nutrients very small in size. It is usually reserved for babies who cannot safely drink cow’s milk or soy formulas.
2. Choose the Right Form
After you have chosen the right type of formula, you’ll need to select the form that is right for you. The form of formula is purely a matter of personal preference. There are three forms offered:
- Powdered formula is the most inexpensive option. It must be dissolved in water before feeding. Many parents find powdered formula easy to travel with because it doesn’t require refrigeration; however, it can be messy.
- Concentrate – Concentrate formula is a liquid that is mixed with water prior to serving. Some parents find it more convenient than powdered formula, but it does require refrigeration after opening.
- Ready to Drink – Ready to drink formula is simply opened and poured into a bottle. It is by far the most convenient option, but it is also the most expensive choice.
3. Find the Right Age of Your Baby
Infant formula is made to meet the nutritional needs of children of a specific age. Be sure that the type you select is right for your baby.
1. Choose the Right Features
There are some other features that you’ll need to consider as you compare infant formula.
- Iron Vs. Low Iron – Nearly all babies require the mineral iron, so opt for the standard product unless your pediatrician specifically tells you to go for low iron.
- Conventional Vs. Organic – Organic formula is made from ingredients that have not come in contact with pesticides or chemical fertilizers and that have not been genetically modified. They are more expensive; however, some parents prefer them because they want to limit their babies’ exposure to chemical ingredients.
- Added Nutrients – Some formulas are enriched with the essential fatty acid DHA, which is needed for proper brain health. Your pediatrician can let you know whether or not your baby would benefit from a DHA formula.
Some Important Bottle Feeding Tips
Now, let’s reveal bottle feeding tips as a guidance for new mum as infant formula will be bottle fed:
- Keeping your baby’s head above his or her stomach can help to decrease the risk of gas, which can spare you from dealing with a fussy, grumpy little one.
- Make sure to stop feeding every 4 to 5 minutes to burp your baby. Even if he or she is contentedly eating, skipping burping could result in the formation of a painful gas bubble.
- If your little one dozes off in the middle of a bottle or doesn’t finish an entire bottle in one feeding, you can save the formula or breast milk for up to an hour.
- Never use formula that is past its expiration date. Also, do not purchase formula cans or bottles that are dented or otherwise in disrepair.
- Don’t put cereal in a baby’s bottle. Even a small amount could cause choking.
Now, you’re ready to feed formula milk to your baby.
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