Newborn Care: Formula Feeding

If you decide to feed your baby formula consult your baby's pediatrician for advice about choosing the right formula. If you have a family history of allergies or any other health concerns these should be mentioned as well. There are many types of formulas on the market, however most babies should be fed an iron-fortified or milk-based formula.

Infant formulas is available in forms:
Concentrate form needs to be mixed with water,least expensive
Ready-to-feed form no preparation required,more costly
Powdered needs to be pre-measured and mixed with water, least expensive

Tip: Babies should be held during bottle feeding, never offer a bottle to a baby while lying, formula can flow into the middle ear,which is a major contributor to ear infections.

When feeding your baby ensure that she is in a semi-upright position, by cradling her body and supporting her head.

To prevent your baby from swallowing air during feedings, keep the bottle tilted tilt so that the formula fills the neck of the bottle and covers the nipple.

Formula Preparation:

Before you open the formula check the expiration date: look on the side or bottom of the can

Wash the top of the can with hot water before opening it.

Read the directions on the can for proper preparation. The formula should be thoroughly mixed, never too thick or too thin.

Bottled water is safest to use for preparing formula

To warm bottles,simply use a pan of warm water and set the bottle in in for a few minutes or use an electric bottle warmer.

Never heat a bottle in the microwave. The microwave can destroy nutrients, overheat the formula, and may have hot spots that could burn your baby.

Before feeding shake the bottle and test the temperature on your wrist. The formula should be slightly warm, not hot.If it burns your wrist, its simply too hot for your baby.

Its important to read and follow directions on proper storage of formula: you should throw away open, mixed and unused formula after 48 hours.

Never save or reuse any leftover formula in bottles.

Do not leave any formula out at room temperature for more than 30 minutes.

Basic Feeding Guide:

Remember that your newborn will change and growing quickly during the first month. So to ensure that your are adequately meeting his nutritional needs, the frequency of feedings and the caloric intake may vary on a day to day basis. However, to make sure you're meeting your newborns nutritional needs, here are some basics. Typically during the first few days of life, he may drink less than an 1 ounce per feeding and gradually increase up to 2-4 ounces over the next few weeks. He may want to be fed every two to four hours. Its important to allow him to feed on demand when his hunger is greatest. If he does not finish the bottle do not force feed. Newborns have very small stomachs.

Burping
Sometimes during feedings newborns can become uncomfortable because they have a tummy that is full of swallowed air. He may become fussy and cranky and experience great discomfort until he can get relief from a few burps. Its important that you watch for signs of discomfort such as grunts, grimaces or squirmming while feeding. A good method of prevention is to burp your baby frequently after every 2 or 3 ounces of formula. If he baby doesn't burp after a couple of minutes, then continue feeding.

Ways To Burp:
Try any of these methods for burping your baby, always support the back of the head and keep those burp cloths handy!

1. Over the shoulder: place your baby over your shoulder and firmly pat or rub his back.

2. On the lap: Sit your baby upright leaning slightly forward and firmly pat or rub his back.

3. Lying down: Place baby stomach-down across your lap and firmly rub or pat his back.

Tip: Remember that newborns don't need water,juice or other fluids.