Choosing to bottle feed with baby formula is a personal choice many parents of newborns feel comfortable with. While it is well documented that breast milk is highly nutritious and beneficial to the health and wellness of a baby, baby formula is also a valid way to bring healthful nutrition to your growing newborn.
Baby formulas are designed to be substitutes for human milk and are formulated to deliver the essential dietary nutrition that a baby needs for proper growth and development during the early stages after birth. Formula is often the only means of sustenance a baby receives from birth till 4 to 6 months old, before solid foods are added to the dietary intake. Some babies that are born premature or with medical conditions may require formula feedings for longer periods before solid foods are introduced. Also, parents of newborns may utilize supplemental feeding practices, where they use breastfeeding alternated with bottle feedings of baby formula.
Commercially prepared formulas contain calories and nutrients, which are regulated by the standards required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These strict and carefully monitored regulations help to ensure that companies producing infant formula are following procedures and standards that are dictated by an actual law known as the Infant Formula Act. This law forces all baby-formula manufacturing companies to test each batch of formula to make sure that it meets the correct nutrient levels and continues to have a healthy shelf life. For that reason, each batch is coded and documented in case there is a recall.
What to Look for
Normally, when choosing to use baby formula, the choice for brands and type of formula will be selected in the hospital shortly after birth. Most hospitals offer a selection of different types and commonly used brands of ready-to-feed baby formula. But once you and baby are home from the hospital, you can choose to continue using ready-to-feed formula, concentrated formula or reconstituted powdered formula. Ready-to-feed formulas can be poured straight from the can and fed, while concentrated and reconstituted powdered formula require using boiled and cooled-down water, since bottled water is not always sterile.
Generally, the pediatrician will start the infant on a cow's milk-based formula, and, if he tolerates it well, it will become the choice of formula to use. However, some babies may not tolerate cow's milk-based formulas, and may be put an alternative type of baby formula. Alternative choices in formula include soy formulas, lactose-free formulas and hypoallergenic or protein hydrolysate formulas.
There are many brands of baby formula on the market today, some of which have become reputable household names, earning them confidence amongst generations of parents. Despite the confidence, it is still necessary to check the expiration date on the formula you are purchasing and also monitor the news for formula recalls.
Common Pitfalls
There is more work to be done when using concentrated or reconstituted powdered formula, since water needs to be added. Not following proper preparation instructions can lead to malnutrition or illness. Forgetting to refrigerate baby formula after preparation can cause the formula to spoil, and uncovered refrigerated formula tends to pick the odor and taste from other foods stored in the refrigerator.
