Infant Formula Feeding Guidelines: What You Need To Know

With being a mum, you need all the help that you can get. That’s why Eonian Care always got your back when it comes to taking care of your precious bub. We got the supplies you need, plus some general guidelines with formula feeding that applies to most babies. Below, we will discuss now some of our formula feeding guidelines we’ve compiled just for you.

Different Types of Formula Milk

There are different kinds of formula milk. They are all great for babies when it comes to nutrition. The only difference is in their manner of preparation.

● Ready to feed formula

As the name goes, this type of formula is ready to consume straight out of the bottle. You may opt to add a little water or not. This may be the most convenient of the formulas if you’re a busy mum who’s running short on time for milk preparation. It’s also great when you’re traveling. The only downside of this is it’s more expensive compared to other formulas.

● Liquid concentrate

Liquid concentrates, on the other hand, require additional water. These concentrates are easier to dilute and mix compared to powdered formulas.

● Powdered formula

Powdered formulas are the most common on the market as they are readily available at any market and affordable. They just need a little more effort and time when it comes to mixing and preparation, but if you have extra minutes on your hands, then it’s not that inconvenient.

Choosing Your Formula Milk

You have all the freedom to choose which formula milk works best for you unless your doctor tells you otherwise. This usually happens if your baby has special medical conditions. Ideally, the safest formula milk choice is the one that’s ready to feed. But if you have access to clean water and if correctly prepared, liquid concentrates and powdered milk works just fine.

Walking on the baby aisle of your local market with all the baby formula milk options can be pretty daunting, especially if you are a newborn mum. You want to have what’s best for your baby, right? There might even be some milk options that may be new to you, so let’s break it down for you.

● Low Iron

Low iron options are available on the market, but we recommend skipping this one. Babies need iron for brain development, and most formulas have just the right amount. Some might consider the low iron formula to ease digestive issues, but some experts easily disputed this. So unless your doctor recommends this for your little one, you don’t need to consider a low iron diet.

● Probiotics

The presence of probiotics on infant formula is relatively new, so there are only a number of research and articles available about its consumption. Probiotics are generally suitable for good nutrition, but there are still concerns if the infant is immunocompromised or has rare medical conditions. Probiotics, in summary, are helpful for an average baby. So if you don’t mind spending a little bit more, and if your consultant is okay with it, then you can add this one to your baby’s diet.

● Soy Formulas

Some parents are considering soy-based products for several reasons. They might want to incorporate a vegan diet into their baby. On some occasions, a baby might also be lactose intolerant or is having a dairy allergy. That’s why experts nowadays are looking further into soy milk as an alternative for dairy-based milk that’s common on the market.

Some studies would not recommend soy milk for infants, but there has been no recorded harm with the consumption of such. If you’re considering transitioning into the soy formula, we suggest that you consult your pediatrician first.

Formula Preparation

● Always read the directions on how the milk should be prepared. Different brands and types of formula require varying amounts of water.

● Use clean water; if you don’t have access to one and have issues with your tap water, purchase bottled water.

● If you’re using a tap, boil the water for two minutes and let it cool.

● Mix the powder or liquid concentrate to its needed ratio or how your pediatrician recommends it.

● Use BPA-free bottles for feeding or storing your prepared milk. The Eonian Care Baby Bottles & Feeding Solutions Value Set would come in handy.

Sterilising

Most experts agree that sterilising is essential in keeping babies safe and healthy. It’s an extra step in meal preparation, but it’s worth it.

There are two common ways to sterilise baby bottles and nipples, such as the classic boiling method and a modern steriliser such as the Eonian Care Electric Steriliser and Dryer.

After reading this formula feeding guidelines. Proceed to read and learn more about some Easy Sterilising Techniques.

Warming Formula

Babies love warm milk. It’s also one of the best ways to ensure that your milk is safe to consume, as heat does an excellent job killing off bacteria. There are lots of ways to warm milk:

● Run it under hot water.

● Set the bottle in a basin of hot water.

● Use a good quality bottle warmer such as the Eonian Care Electric Steriliser, Dryer, and Baby Bottle Warmer 3 in 1

Be sure to shake the bottle and test the temperature of the milk before handing it over to your baby.

Storing Prepared Formula

Formula feeding lets you prepare the milk that you only need. Usually, they are packaged for one feeding. Here are some things to remember when storing formula milk:

● If your newborn can’t consume the whole can or bottle, pour what he or she can most likely finish in a separate feeding bottle. Then, pour the rest of the contents into a clean container and store it in the fridge for up to two days.

● You can also use the Eonian Care Baby Bottles & Feeding Solutions Value Set to store excess milk and reheat it with the Eonian Care Electric Steriliser, Dryer, and Baby Bottle Warmer 3 in 1 once your baby becomes hungry.

● When preparing powdered milk, only mix the amount that your baby can consume.

● The formula in a used bottle must not be re-fed after an hour.

If you want to know how to store breastmilk, you can check out: How To Properly Store Breastmilk!

Feeding Portions

Each baby’s needs are unique, especially if he or she has certain medical conditions. To get a general idea, this is what an average baby consumes:

As you’ve noticed, after six months, your baby’s formula milk portions start to diminish. This is when parents usually begin introducing solid food. As the baby grows older, he or she tends to consume more solid nutrition and less formula milk.

Formula Feeding Notes

When it comes to formula feeding, here are some things to take note of for your formula feeding guidelines:

● Read directions and instructions when mixing.

● Always mix with the correct ratio of water unless specified by your doctor.

● Throw away leftover milk that has been consumed after more than an hour.

● Don’t add random ingredients into bottles unless specified by your pediatrician.

● Store products in a specified amount of time. Take note of expiry dates.

● Inspect boxes and cans for dents, bulges, or tampering.

● Hold your bub when bottle feeding.

● Check your bottles and nipples before feeding. Make sure it’s properly cleaned.

● When in doubt, seek the help of a licensed pediatrician.