How to supplement with formula
Exclusive breastfeeding is the recommended method of feeding your
newborn baby. However, this is not always possible and you may need to find
other sources of nutrition for your child. A great way to supplement breast
milk is to use formula to support your baby's growth and development.
Starting your baby on formula
Sometimes your baby may not get enough nutrients from breast milk. This
may be due to the fact that they do not drink enough milk, especially in the
first days after birth. There are various reasons why your baby is not getting
enough breast milk. Your baby may be sick, too small, or not breastfeeding
properly.
If you are not producing enough breast milk, talk to your doctor about
how to increase your milk supply. If you are still unable to produce enough
milk, you need to know how and when to start formula feeding your baby.
How to start. If you start
formula feeding your baby because you don't have enough breast milk, you can
switch to a bottle or supplemental feeding system. Start by breastfeeding and
then give your baby expressed milk. After that, you can use the formula to make
up the difference.
How to prepare the formula. Here are the steps
to follow when preparing infant formula:
- Make
sure your hands are clean. You should always wash your hands before handling
baby bottles.
- Clean
the baby's bottle. Make sure the bottle is thoroughly washed and
sanitized before use.
- No
need to warm up. The formula does not need to be heated. However, if you choose to do so,
warm the bottle by placing it in warm water. When heated in the microwave, hot
spots remain in the milk or formula, which can burn your baby's mouth or
throat.
- Mix baby formula. Use clean, safe water when mixing the powder mixture. Be sure to check
the instructions for how much water you should use.
It is generally not recommended to mix formula with breast milk. This
allows you to avoid wasting formula if your baby does not drink all the milk.
Studies have shown that mixing breast milk with formula can affect a baby's
protein intake and retention of zinc, calcium, and phosphorus. This can be
avoided by alternating rather than mixing breast milk and formula.
However, if your baby refuses to take formula, you can try mixing some
expressed breast milk into formula. This can help your child get used to the
new taste before you return to alternating.
Stool changes with formula. The digestive
system of a child is very delicate. After you start giving formula to your
baby, you may notice a change in his stool. They usually produce stools of
different colors, textures, and frequencies. You should see a doctor if your
child is having trouble urinating.
Types of milk formulas
Formula types you can use. There are many types of infant formula that
can be used to supplement breast milk. They include:
- Cow's milk formula, which is the first formula you should give your baby after birth.
- Lactose-free formula intended for children with lactose intolerance, which should only be administered under medical supervision.
- An anti-reflux formula that is made thicker to help prevent reflux in babies. It can be administered from birth, but under medical supervision.
- Hypoallergenic formula designed for babies allergic to cow's milk. It is administered only on prescription and under medical supervision.
- Soy formula, which is made from soybeans and can be used by children who are allergic to cow's milk. It should only be given to children over six months old and under medical supervision.
There are different types of formulas and different ways of presenting
them. Talk to your doctor about which formula is best for your child.
Types of milk you should never give your baby
Not all types of milk are good for babies. Feeding your baby the wrong
type of milk can lead to serious health problems for your baby. Although many
formulas are based on milk, plain milk is generally not suitable for young
children. Do not give children under one year of age:
- Powdered milk
- Condensed milk
- Goat milk (except in cooking)
- Cow's milk (except in cooking)
The amount of breast milk you produce may change when you start formula feeding your baby. Your baby may also stop breastfeeding or suckle less after getting used to the bottle. This mostly happens during the first week of breastfeeding. If possible, introduce the baby to the bottle when he is a little older so as not to affect the production of breast milk.