Switching from breast- to bottle-feeding?
Here are baby formula resources
Infants should receive only
breast milk or baby formula for the first 4 to
6 months of life, followed by the
introduction of complementary foods,
recommends the American Academy of Pediatrics,
the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and the
World Health Organization.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends
that breast milk or an iron-fortified formula
should be the primary source of nutrition for baby's entire
first year. Whole cow's milk and low-iron infant formula
should NOT be fed during a baby's first year.
Origin of formula
Baby formula was invented by Henri Nestlé in
1867. Nestlé visited a mother who could not breastfeed. The
chemist went home to develop a mixture that saved the mother's
premature infant and later became known as the first baby
formula. The new product, Farine Lactée Nestlé, was introduced
to the Swiss market later that year.
Nestlé offers a variety of iron-fortified baby
formulas. The company recommends iron-fortified formula
because it helps the baby's development. "Your baby was born
with a good supply of iron, provided by you during a healthy
pregnancy. Those initial iron reserves are depleted by the
time your baby is around 4 to 6 months old if not maintained
by an iron-rich diet.
The switch
Please consult with your doctor before
switching your baby from breast-feeding to baby formula. The
transition should take place gradually, by mixing breast milk
and formula. When changing formula, the transition should also
be gradual, and in consultation with your doctor. During the
transition, your baby's stool may change to soft and yellowish
or greenish in color. Other normal reactions are fussiness, a
little spit-up or occasional rashes. If your baby is very
fussy (especially after feeding), gassy or spits up all or
most of what he ate, talk to your baby's doctor. Your baby's
health care professional is the best person to advise you
about your baby's nutrition.
Sources:
Home and Videotape Intervention Delays Early
Complementary Feeding Among Adolescent Mothers," by Maureen M.
Black, Emily H. Siegel, Yolanda Abel, and Margaret E. Bentley.
http://www.aap.org/mrt/hvid.htm Accessed 4/21/03.
"Fascinating facts about the invention of Baby
Formula by Henri Nestle in 1867" http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/story050.htm
Accessed 4/21/03.
Also found on www.verybestbaby.com. Accessed
4/17/03.
From http://www.verybestbaby.com/content/article.asp?section=
bf&id=20019281542581575717469&contentType=P Accessed 4/20/03
Buying Baby Formula
* Check the can or carton carefully when you
buy infant formula. Buy and use the formula by the date shown.
Do not buy dented or otherwise damaged cans.
* Buy formula with iron, unless advised otherwise by your
health care professional.
* Store unopened cans of infant formula at room temperature.
Do not use formula that has been frozen or stored at a high
temperature.
* When opening cans with a can opener, be sure it is clean,
sharp and free of rust and food deposits.
The above bullets are directly from http://www.welcomeaddition.com/display.cfm?id=91&sub=95.
Accessed 4/21/03
Preparation:
During the first week, prepare and offer a
bottle with 2 to 3 ounces of formula every three to four
hours. When your baby doesn't finish the bottle, he or she is
telling you she's full. When it regularly finishes the bottle,
you should increase the amount you feed him or her.
Always wash your hands before preparing
formula and also wash the top of the formula can before
opening it. Powder can lids may be sharp when opening, so be
cautious. Read the directions carefully when you prepare
infant formula. Concentrated Liquid formula must be mixed with
water. Ready To Feed formula needs no mixing. Use water from
the cold water faucet and let it run a few minutes to prevent
lead or other mineral contamination. Check with your water
purification system manufacturer to understand what effects
this might have on the mineral content of your water supply.
If you are advised to boil your water by your
local doctor, bring the water to a rolling boil. Excessive
boiling can increase the concentration of impurities. To warm
a bottle of formula, loosen the cap and put the bottle in
hot - not boiling - water for a short time. Or run hot tap water
over the bottle. Shake the bottle well. Shake a few drops on
the inside of your wrist to test the bottle's temperature. The
formula should feel warm, not hot.
NEVER use a microwave oven to warm formula.
The formula could heat unevenly and burn your baby's mouth. It
can also break down the nutrients.
Freshly prepared concentrate or powdered
formula must be used immediately, or refrigerated and fed to
your baby within 24 hours. Ready-to-feed or prepared
concentrate formula should not be left at room temperature for
longer than necessary. Prepared formula should be refrigerated
within two hours. After feeding, any leftover formula should
be discarded. Bacteria from your baby's mouth have mixed with
the formula during feeding.
Rinse the bottle and nipple in hot water right
away. Scrub bottles, nipples, caps and rings with a bottle
brush, soap and hot water. Or put them in the top rack or
basket of a dishwasher. Squeeze water through the nipple holes
during washing and rinsing.
The nipple
Your baby will have preferences regarding
nipple shape, so try a few different kinds to determine your
baby's favorite. The nipple hole should be large enough that
the infant doesn't have to strain for food, but small enough
that it doesn't choke. Periodically check the nipple hole to
ensure that wear and tear hasn't expanded it.
Feeding basics
Create a calm atmosphere for you and your baby
by feeding in a calm and relaxed setting. Hold your baby close
to your body in an upright position (head higher than the
body). Tilt the bottle so the formula fills the nipple to keep
air out of your infant's stomach. You can prop your feeding
arm on a pillow, but do not prop the bottle at any time. If
you hear a lot of noisy sucking sounds while he or she drinks,
your baby may be taking in too much air. To help your baby
swallow less air, hold her at a 45-degree angle.
Give your baby time to pause the feeding. Let
him or her look around or play with the nipple.
Burping Your Baby
Try burping your baby halfway through a
feeding. Hold your baby upright against your shoulder or lay
her across your lap, on her stomach, face down. You can also
sit your baby on your lap, leaning her forward against your
hand. Support her chin. Pat or rub your baby's back gently.
Your baby may not need to burp after every feeding. Your baby
may spit up, but this is no cause for alarm.
Storing baby formula
Unopened cans of baby formula can be stored in
a dry place at room temperature until the expiration date
indicated on the package.
An open can of baby formula must be covered
and stored in a cool dry place. Formula powder must be used
within one month, and an open can of formula concentrate or
ready-to-feed formula must be covered stored in the
refrigerator, and used within 48 hours.
Packaging and serving sizes:
Powder:
12 ounces net weight makes approximately 2.7 quarts of
prepared formula
24 ounces net weight makes approximately 5.4 quarts of
prepared formula
32 ounces net weight makes approximately 7.3 quarts of
prepared formula
Liquid concentrate:
13 fluid ounces makes approximately 26 ounces prepared formula
Ready-to-feed:
32 fluid ounces makes approximately 1 quart
Brands
Wondering what brands of baby formula to buy?
Here you can compare store brands of baby formula and
branded formulas.
Here you can find recipes for
home-made baby formula
Financial help
Assistance for Women, Infants and Children is provided to
low-income, nutritionally at risk:
* Pregnant women (through pregnancy and up to 6 weeks after
birth or after pregnancy ends).
* Breastfeeding women (up to infant's 1st birthday)
* Nonbreastfeeding postpartum women (up to 6 months after the
birth of an infant or after pregnancy ends)
* Infants (up to 1st birthday). WIC serves 45 percent of all
infants born in the United States.
* Children up to their 5th birthday.
WIC is a Federal grant program for which
Congress authorizes a specific amount of funds each year for
the program to offer:
* Supplemental nutritious foods
* Nutrition education and counseling at WIC clinics
* Screening and referrals to other health, welfare and social
services.
Additional Information: "What is the best
Nutrition for your baby?" Kids' Health supplement in the
October 18-20, 2002 weekend edition of USA Today. http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/infantnutrition.htm
Accessed 4/21/03.
******* DISCLAIMER: The information on this Web site is for
reference only and is not intended nor implied to be a
substitute for professional medical advice. Although the
site's creators and contributors aim to provide the most
accurate information, it is your responsibility to verify the
validity of any information contained herein. Please check
with your infant's pediatrician if you suspect a health
problem or medical condition.
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