If you have chosen not to breastfeed, if you need to supplement your breast milk, or if you stop breastfeeding before your baby is a year old, I will recommend an iron-fortified infant formula, like Similac® Advance®. Do not change formulas unless you talk to my office nurse or me first.
Similac Advance is an iron-fortified, milk-based formula with DHA and ARA, two nutrients found in breast milk that are important for brain and eye development it is also helps bolster the immune system due to its patented bled of nucleotides, but not as well as breast feeding.
Your Baby’s Delicate System
As a new mom, you may find it comforting to know that more than half of all babies spit up to some extent and most times this is normal therefore, I do not recommend making changes that could further upset your baby’s system, unless spit up is excessive or weight has decreased due to spit-up. It is important to remember that your newborn’s digestive system needs time to fully develop. But if symptoms persist and your baby’s health is compromised, I may recommend a soy formula such as Isomil® Advance® with DHA and ARA. Isomil Advance often relieves common feeding problems such as fussiness, gas and spit-up.
Tips for Preparing Formula:
- Always follow the instructions on the label.
- Wash your hands and all supplies carefully before preparing formula
- Always test the temperature of heated formula before feeding by shaking a few drops on your wrist.
- Never use a microwave oven to warm formula – this can result in hot spots that can burn your baby.
- Throw out any formula left in the bottle after feeding
Techniques for the Bottle-Feeding Family
When you feed your baby, she should be in a semi-upright position with her head higher than her body. Hold the bottle so the nipple is always filled with formula. This helps your baby receive formula instead of air which may give a false sense of being full and may cause discomfort. Never prop a bottle or leave your baby alone to drink. Remember your baby needs the security and pleasure of being held at feeding time. Sometimes, your baby will take every drop in the bottle, and sometimes not – this is normal. You can usually tell when your baby has had enough when he stops sucking, frequently turns away, or falls asleep. When your baby regularly finishes every drop at each feeding – and sometimes cries for more – it may be time to increase the amount of formula in the bottle at each feeding. Your baby will need larger amounts as he grows.
Choosing the Form That’s Best
Different babies and their parents have different needs. That’s why infant formulas come in three forms:
- Ready To Feed requires no measuring or mixing. It is convenient for everyday use and especially for your day-care or travel needs. This is the most expensive of alternatives.
- Concentrated Liquid is easy to mix and convenient for preparing several bottles in advance.
- Powder is handy for making one feeding at a time and can be used for up to a month after opening. This is by far the most economical of the three options. You can mix Powder or Concentrated Liquid with sterilized water (water that has been brought to a rolling boil for one minute, then cooled to room temperature) with tap water from the cold-water faucet, or with bottled water.
Choosing the Right Nipple
There is no “correct” nipple shape; however, different babies are likely to have a definite preference for one shape over another. Try different ones until you find the nipple your baby likes. Another thing to consider when choosing a nipple is the size of the hole. The hole should be large enough so your baby doesn’t have to work too hard to get the milk out, but not so big that the milk flows too fast causing your baby to gulp or choke. Repeated use may distort nipple size. Make sure you examine the bottle nipples frequently and discard at the first sign of wear.
Cleaning Bottles
After feeding time, scrub bottles, nipples, caps and rings with a bottlebrush in soap and hot water. Or put them in the top rack or basket of a dishwasher. Squeeze water through the nipple hole during washing and rinsing, to keep it from clogging. Rinse everything well in hot water. Test nipples regularly to be sure the holes are the right size and there are no signs of wear.
Changing Formulas
Continue feeding the formula I have recommended until at least the baby’s first birthday. If you have reason to believe that your baby’s chosen formula is causing any problems, please discuss that concern with me. Please be sure to check with my office nurse or me before making any feeding changes.
