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Health Information For Parents
Whether you’ve decided to formula feed your baby from the start, are supplementing your breast milk with formula, or are switching from breast milk to formula, you’re bound to have questions. Here are answers to some common queries about formula feeding.
From formula to bottles, from nipples to sterilizers, the choices can seem endless. But before your baby is born, it’s a good idea to hold off buying — or registering for — too much of any one type of feeding product. After all, you may end up having to return them when you find that your baby doesn’t like what you’ve chosen.
To get you through the first week or so, you’ll need to have enough formula, water, bottles, and nipples. Burp cloths and a bottle/nipple brush will also come in handy.
Once you get in the swing of feeding your baby, you may find it’s worth investing in more or different kinds of bottles, or items that can make the feeding process go a little smoother (like a bottle drying rack). A bottle sterilizer is not necessary, but you should sterilize all feeding supplies before the first use.
Many different formulas (at a wide variety of prices) are available these days, which can make the process of choosing one a little overwhelming at first.
Ask your doctor about which brands might be best for your baby. You also can talk to other parents of infants about what they use and why. But remember, it’s ultimately up to your baby.
The many kinds of formula available today include:
Most formulas comes in three basic forms:
All formulas manufactured in the United States have to meet strict nutritional standards from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so just because a formula is name brand (versus generic) doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the best for your baby.
Whatever kind you choose, make sure to check the expiration date on all cans and bottles of formula, and don’t use formula from leaky, dented, or otherwise damaged containers.
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid) are ingredients that can be found in some, but not all, formulas.
DHA and ARA are polyunsaturated fatty acids (considered the “good” kinds of fat) that may be linked to brain and nerve development and can be found naturally in fish oils and eggs. The fatty acids are also found in breast milk. By putting DHA and ARA in infant formulas, the manufacturers are attempting to imitate breast milk.
But is it beneficial to buy an infant formula with these ingredients? The jury still seems to be out on that. Some studies have indicated that formulas supplemented with DHA and ARA benefit visual and cognitive development. But others haven’t shown any significant improvement with DHA and ARA formulas.
Bottles come in different shapes and sizes, can be made of glass or plastic, and may be reusable or have disposable liners inside. Some babies do better with certain shapes or bottles with liners on the inside. You may need to try a few different brands before you find the one that works best for you and your baby.
It’s important to note that some plastic bottles are labeled “BPA-free”— meaning that they do not contain the chemical bisphenol A, which is found in some plastics and may affect kids’ health. Glass bottles are free of BPA and can last for a long time, but can crack and chip, so they need to be checked often to avoid harm to your baby.
Walk down the nipple aisle in your local baby center and it’s easy to be completely overwhelmed. For starters, nipples come in silicone (clear) or latex (brown). But the options don’t end there.
The many different varieties include orthodontic nipples, rounded nipples, wide-based nipples, and flat-top nipples, just to name a few. And some are advertised as “being closer to the natural shape of a mother’s breast.” But which kind is best really depends on your baby and what he or she seems to prefer. After all, every baby is different.
Nipples also often come in different numbers, “stages,” or “flow rates” to reflect the size of the nipple’s hole, which affects the flow (i.e., slow, medium, or fast) of formula or breast milk. For example, fast flows may cause younger babies to gag or may simply give them more than they can handle, whereas slower flows may frustrate some babies and cause them to suck harder and gulp too much air.
But whether these different flows are necessary depends on each baby. Your little one may seem to prefer variety or may be content throughout infancy to use the same kind and size of nipple. If your baby seems fussy or frustrated with the nipple, you can certainly try a different kind (like one with a larger hole) to see if it makes any difference.
That depends on how the nipples you’re using hold up to cleaning, sterilizing, and everyday use. Be sure to check them regularly for signs of wear and replace them often. Also, as your baby grows, he or she might prefer nipples that come in different sizes and flows (the holes get bigger as babies get older and are ready to handle faster flows of milk).
Just as you may do already for your groceries and other baby supplies, shop around for the best deals on the formula you’ve chosen:
Advice and information for expectant and new parents.
Almost all infants are fussy at times. But some are very fussy because they have an allergy to the protein in cow’s milk, which is the basis for most commercial baby formulas.
Here’s a quick guide to an important part of feeding a baby – burping.
These guidelines on breastfeeding and bottle feeding can help you know what’s right for you and your baby.
Whether you’ve chosen to breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby, your infant will let you know when it’s time to eat.
Is your baby is ready for solid foods? Learn how and when to get started.
At this age, babies start to explore table foods.
Shopping for formula-feeding supplies can be daunting. Here are answers to some common questions about formula feeding.
Get answers to some common formula-feeding inquiries, from how much newborns eat to what their diapers might look like.
Check out these formula-feeding bottle basics, from how to mix bottles to how to store them safely.
Making a decision to breastfeed or formula feed your baby is a personal one. There are some points to consider to help you decide which option is best for you and your baby.
With a little preparation and practice, you can bottle-feed your baby. Learn how in this step-by-step video.