Breastfeeding is the best way to feed your newborn baby. It gives her optimum nutrition and builds up her immune system. However, there are circumstances where it simply isn’t feasible, either for the baby or the mother. Baby formula is sometimes the only alternative for a number of different reasons.
Some parents, however, are concerned about potential problems resulting from feeding cow’s milk to babies. This causes them to avoid using formula. But the fact is that commercial baby formula is perfectly safe and nutritious.
For infants under a year of age, regular cow’s milk isn’t recommended. The quality and quantity of nutrients it contains aren’t as ideal as those found in breast milk. But baby formula isn’t just milk in a fancy package. The manufacturers of baby formula put considerable research into their products. It contains proteins and fats that resemble breast milk very closely.
There are also various kinds of baby formula that aren’t made from cow’s milk at all. Occasionally, a newborn baby will be unable to process dairy products because she is lactose intolerant. However, there are several good alternatives.
Soy-based formula is one such choice. Because it’s produced from soy protein, it’s completely lactose free. However, don’t buy regular soy milk because it’s not meant for babies; make sure it’s soy formula.
Another substitute for formula made from dairy products is a product containing protein hydrolysate. The proteins in this formula have been broken down so that they are similar to the product of normal digestion.
All these products are available in a variety of formulations. Your least expensive choice is powdered formula. It’s designed to be mixed with water that’s been boiled. Formula in a liquid concentrate format also needs to be mixed with water, but it’s simpler to do so.
When preparing either powdered or concentrated products, it’s important to measure carefully. The ratio of formula to water is critical for nutrition and proper digestion. Also be sure to sterilize all utensils that are used to prepare the formula.
On the other hand, ready-to-use formula is pre-mixed for instant use. Not surprisingly, it’s also the most expensive choice. Similar to the other formulations, you can feed it to your baby either warmed up or at room temperature, depending on her preferences.
A potential problem with giving formula to your baby is that it’s easier to see how much your child is drinking. According to trusted sources of baby advice, you should never force your child to drink more than she is willing to consume. If she hasn’t drunk the full amount at the time you think she should, just wait and try again later. Babies go by their internal clock, not the one on the wall.