Formula Feeding
Don't beat yourself up if you cannot breastfeed for some reason. Many women cannot breastfeed for medical, physical, or other reasons. If you are not able to breastfeed or choose not to, today's infant formulas do provide a good nutritious alternative. Most are manufactured in a way that closely mimics, as much as possible, the components of breast milk. They are made to be easy for babies to digest and provide all of the nutrition needed. It is virtually impossible for a mother to create a formula at home that would have the same complex combination of proteins, sugars, fats, vitamins, and minerals that a baby needs and that are present in commercial formulas and breast milk. Therefore, if you do not breastfeed your baby, you should use only a commercially prepared formula.
Alert: Because of its contents, cow's milk is not appropriate for infants younger than twelve months. Although some formulas are cow-milk based, they have been modified to meet an infant's special needs.
What's in Formula?
Commercial formulas are usually cow-milk based and are fortified with iron as well as other essential vitamins and minerals. Some manufactures even include some substances found directly in breast milk that can be manufactured. For infants who cannot tolerate cow's milk, there are also soy-based formulas. Formula feeding is more costly than breastfeeding but on the other hand, is more convenient for some mothers. Today's commercial formula products are manufactured under strict sterile conditions, so there is no worry about contamination.
Fact: Iron-fortified infant formulas have been credited for the declining incidence of iron deficiency anemia in infants. For this reason, the American Academy of Pediatrics highly recommends that mothers who are not breastfeeding use an iron-fortified infant formula.
The Pros and Cons
Some women feel that formula-feeding their infant gives them a little more freedom and that other members of the family, such as the father, can be more active in the feeding and caring of the infant. Just as breastfeeding has its own unique demands, so does formula feeding. The main demands of formula feeding are organization, handling, and proper preparation. You need to make sure to have enough formula on hand, and bottles must be prepared very carefully using sterile methods. The bottles and nipples must be kept sanitary and ready for when you need them.
Preparing Formulas
Commercial formulas come in all types of varieties. There are ready-to feed liquids, concentrated liquids that require diluting with water, and powders that require mixing with water. You should always follow closely the instructions on the label for preparing bottles. As well as varieties of formulas, there are many different types of bottles and nipples available to choose from. You may need to experiment with a few different brands before you find a combination that works best for you and your baby.
Bottles should be warmed just slightly before feeding. Never heat a bottle of formula in a microwave! The formula can heat unevenly and leave hot spots, which can burn a baby's mouth. A microwave can also heat the formula too much, making it too hot for an infant's mouth. The best way is to heat water in the microwave, take the water out, and then heat the bottle in the water. Always test the formula to make sure the temperature is not too hot. Always wash bottles and nipples thoroughly in hot water, and wash your hands before preparing them.
Alert: Do not leave bottles out of the refrigerator for longer than one hour. If your baby doesn't finish a bottle, the contents should be discarded. If formula bottles are prepared in advance, they should be stored in the refrigerator for no longer than twenty-four hours.
How Often to Formula Feed
Experts agree that for the first few weeks, you shouldn't try to follow too rigid a feeding schedule. As the baby gets older, you may be able to work out a more established schedule. You should offer a bottle every two to three hours at first as you see signs of hunger. Until she reaches about 10 pounds, she will probably take approximately two to 3 ounces per feeding. From there, intake will gradually increase. Don't force her to eat if she does not seem hungry. You may see certain signs when the baby has enough such as, closing her mouth or turning away from the bottle, falling asleep, fussiness, and biting or playing with the bottle's nipple. One advantage to bottle feeding is that you can know exactly how much your baby is eating. You pediatrician can advise you on optimal amounts to feed your baby as she grows.