Healthy Eating

 

 

Formula Feeding

 

Some mothers are not able to breastfeed their babies. If you are in this position, feeding your baby formula that you buy from the store is next best thing. If you have decided to feed your baby formula it is important to know how to choose the right formula for your baby, how to hold your baby when bottle feeding, and how to clean the bottles and nipples the right way.


Formula

  • Buy and use store-bought formula. Homemade formulas are not as nutritious as those bought in stores.
  • Choose a milk-based infant formula from the grocery store (unless your doctor tells you differently). 
  • Choose a formula with added iron.
  • Make sure you check the expiry date before you buy formula. Do not buy/use expired formula.
  • Don’t use dented or damaged cans, or those with bulging tops or bottoms.
  • Types of formula                      
    • Ready-to-use (do not add water).
    • Concentrated liquid (add water).
    • Powder – add water.

Holding your Baby While Bottle Feeding

  • Hold your baby close to you, and with its head higher than its body.
  • Hold the bottle so that most of the nipple is in the baby’s mouth, and so the formula fills the nipple.
  • Burp babies during and after each feeding and try not to rush them.
  • Never put babies to sleep with bottles in their mouths. Letting babies sleep with bottles causes tooth decay because of the sugar staying in their mouths for hours.
  • Sit with babies while they feed. Do not let them walk around with bottles in their mouths.
  • Make sure babies are hungry when feeding them. They may be fussy because they want something other than food (i.e. comfort, sleep etc.).

Equipment

  • Bottles
  • Caps
  • Rings
  • Artificial nipples
  • Brushes – for washing bottles and nipples.
  • A large pot for sterilizing bottles and nipples.
  • Measuring cup, spoon, funnel, tongs, and knife if you are using powder formula.

Care and Sterilizing

  • Wash bottles, nipples and rings in hot soapy water, rinse them carefully.
  • After washing, it’s important to always sterilize bottles, nipples and rings by putting them in a pot of boiling water for at least 5 minutes. This gets rid of germs.
  • After washing and sterilizing, let the bottles, nipples and rings dry and cool off fully by placing them on a clean towel.
  • Be sure to let the bottles and nipples cool down fully before using them.

For more information on formula feeding please visit the following websites:

BC Health Guide
http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthfiles/hfile69a.stm

Parents Canada
www.parentscanada.com/developing/baby/articles.aspx?listingid=72

Today’s Parent
www.todaysparent.com/baby/foodnutrition/article.jsp?content=4697&page=1

 

 

Source:

BC Health Files. Formula Feeding Your Baby: Getting Started. Child Nutrition Series – Number 69a, May 2006.http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthfiles/hfile69a.stm
Baby Center.com http://www.babycenter.com/expert/baby/formulafeed/1334508.html