Sunday, December 22, 2013

Choosing a Formula For Your Baby


One thing that is trial and error in the beginning for new parents is finding the perfect baby formula for their child. If a mother decides to strictly breastfeed her baby then formula isn't and issue but some nursing mothers choose both and alternate feedings of breast milk and formula.

There are lots of types of formulas to choose from such as Similac, Enfamil, Earth's Best and Good Start.  Ask your pediatrician if they have formula samples that you can experiment with before you head to the grocery store to buy it in bulk. You will need to try a formula and see if how your baby responds to it for they may have a reaction like diarrhea, gas or extreme fussiness. If that occurs you may need to switch to a lactose free formula but always consult your pediatrician first.

Ready made formula is very convenient but it is normally more expensive than powder formula. My son was having gas bubbles when I made his formula and immediately gave it to him. One tip I learned was to make his bottles about an hour before giving it to him so they bubbles in the bottle had time to settle before entering his stomach. He also preferred a cold bottle of formula over a warm bottle.  

Always test the temperature of your baby's bottle on your wrist before you give it to them. It should be warm but not hot because if the formula is heated in the microwave it can have hot spots that will burn the inside of your baby's mouth.

If your baby spits up large amounts and frequently, he or she may have reflux so consult your pediatrician.

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