{"id":17300,"date":"2023-07-31T11:30:49","date_gmt":"2023-07-31T16:30:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osfhealthcare.org\/blog\/?p=17300"},"modified":"2024-03-21T10:44:26","modified_gmt":"2024-03-21T15:44:26","slug":"what-to-expect-when-choosing-baby-formula-and-bottle-feeding-for-infant-feeding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/what-to-expect-when-choosing-baby-formula-and-bottle-feeding-for-infant-feeding\/","title":{"rendered":"What to expect when choosing baby formula and bottle feeding for infant feeding"},"content":{"rendered":"

How you decide to feed your baby is a big decision for all families. It\u2019s important to find correct, evidence based information to help you make the best decision for your family.<\/p>\n

Sarah Musselman, RN, a lactation specialist at OSF HealthCare, shared some of the dos and don\u2019ts of bottle feeding.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are many options for feeding: exclusively breastfeeding, exclusively pumping and giving breast milk in a bottle, breastfeeding and pumping, breastfeeding and pumping and formula, or just formula feeding,\u201d Sarah said.<\/p>\n

Choosing to bottle feed<\/h2>\n

When choosing to bottle feed, parents have the flexibility to share some of the feeding duties.<\/p>\n

Baby formula can even be used as a supplement for breastfeeding, especially if a mom doesn\u2019t make enough breast milk. Plus, formula feeding is an essential option for moms who can\u2019t breastfeed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can do any combination of breastfeeding and formula. You can even mix formula and breast milk in the same bottle,\u201d Sarah said. \u201cOne drawback to consider, though, is the potential waste involved. Pumping can be a lot of work, and when you mix breast milk with formula, it shortens the life of the bottle. And if your baby doesn\u2019t finish the bottle, they didn\u2019t get all of your breast milk.\u201d<\/p>\n

What is baby formula made of?<\/h2>\n

Baby formula was invented in Germany in 1865 by a man who was especially passionate about improving nutrition and food preservation in communities where food was scarce.<\/p>\n

Formula has evolved a lot since then. Today, it has many of the same vitamins and nutrients<\/a> that breast milk has to support healthy growth and development in babies. For parents who choose to formula feed or supplement, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using a baby formula fortified with iron.<\/p>\n

\u201cBaby formula is designed to replicate breast milk<\/a> as closely as possible, but there’s no exact match,\u201d Sarah said.<\/p>\n

Not all baby formulas are the same, so talk with your baby’s pediatrician if you\u2019re not sure what to choose. Most baby formulas nowadays contain cow\u2019s milk, but there are other options, like soy-based or protein-hydrolysate formula if your baby has a cow\u2019s milk sensitivity. Formula can come in powder, liquid or ready-to-eat form.<\/p>\n

Never feed your baby homemade, imported or counterfeit formulas. Milk from other sources doesn\u2019t contain all the nutrients your baby needs. Counterfeit and imported formulas may not have been packaged and stored safely. These types of alternative sources of milk can cause serious health problems for your baby.<\/p>\n

How do I bottle feed a baby?<\/h2>\n

Always follow the instructions on the can or bottle, including cleaning the area where you\u2019re preparing the bottle and washing your hands. You can mix baby formula with any safe drinking water, including tap or nursery water. Don\u2019t over- or under-dilute formula.<\/p>\n

Many people believe that the water the formula is mixed with poses a risk to baby\u2019s health and safety. However, it is the formula powder that poses a very small risk from possible contamination in the factory. The risk of infection is small, but it can be catastrophic. Ready-to-feed formula is the safest \u2013 especially for newborns \u2013 because it\u2019s sterile.<\/p>\n

\n

Questions on bottles or formula?<\/p>\n

Talk to your pediatrician<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

When feeding your baby, cradle them close to your chest and hold the bottle at an angle so the baby can easily suck the milk. Make eye contact and switch which side they\u2019re held on. Don\u2019t ever prop the bottle on something and walk away. That will likely lead to a fussy, gassy baby<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Formula can sit out after it\u2019s been prepped for about an hour. But, once a baby has had the bottle in their mouth, it shouldn\u2019t be saved for the next feed because saliva can cause bacteria growth.<\/p>\n

When choosing a bottle or nipple, be open to trying a few different options. Not every baby is going to do well with every bottle or nipple. Start with one type of bottle and let your baby try it a few times. If it\u2019s not going well, try a different type of bottle. Nipple holes should allow drops of formula to drip out when the bottle is turned upside down. Read the label to determine what nipple size is right for your baby\u2019s age and development.<\/p>\n

How much formula a newborn eats<\/h2>\n

\u201cFeed your baby on cue,\u201d Sarah said.<\/p>\n

Babies don\u2019t need those big bottles like we commonly think, especially when they\u2019re first born. Their stomachs are very tiny at birth, so they don\u2019t need a lot to fill them up. As they grow and develop, their stomach gets bigger, and they\u2019ll want more formula to feel full.<\/p>\n

In the first few days, babies only really need about half to an ounce of formula per feeding about eight-12 times a day. After those first few days until about two months, babies will gradually increase to needing about three ounces per feeding.<\/p>\n

\u201cBabies are sort of like us as adults. Sometimes we just want a snack, and sometimes we want a whole buffet\u2019s worth of food. Sometimes we just want a drink,\u201d Sarah said. \u201cThey\u2019ll eat different amounts at different times throughout the day, and that\u2019s perfectly OK.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a good idea to track how much and when your baby eats throughout the day. It can be hard to remember how often a baby gets fed, especially with new mom-brain or if the baby is fed by different grownups throughout the day, like dad, grandma or babysitter. Having a written chart or diary can help to keep everyone on the same page, especially at the beginning.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou may want to diary for the early weeks, then could stop when you feel comfortable and have gotten to know your baby,\u201d Sarah said.<\/p>\n

How long do babies drink formula?<\/h2>\n

Babies typically drink exclusively formula for the first six months. Once they start on solid foods, they may not be as hungry for a bottle, but they still need formula.<\/p>\n

Babies should drink formula until age 1 and should switch to whole cow\u2019s milk or nut milk after their first birthday. But always be sure to talk to your pediatrician about what\u2019s best for you and your baby.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Whether formula feeding or breastfeeding, every new mom knows that fed is best. While there are many benefits of breastfeeding, that doesn\u2019t mean there aren\u2019t advantages to using baby formula. And, as a parent of a newborn, having options is great. Sarah Musselman, RN, a lactation specialist at OSF HealthCare, shares some of the dos and don\u2019ts of bottle feeding.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":122,"featured_media":17345,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"no","footnotes":""},"categories":[118],"tags":[1121,811,942,6,1094],"coauthors":[1051],"class_list":["post-17300","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-birthing-center","tag-formula","tag-lactation-consultant","tag-newborns","tag-nutrition","tag-pediatrician"],"yoast_head":"\nWhat to expect when choosing baby formula and bottle feeding for infant feeding<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn the advantages of bottle feeding your newborn and how to do it best.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link 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