You might think formula feeding is straightforward - choose a formula that fits your baby and fill it up in their favorite bottle🍼. But for new moms, there is a whole lot of confusion beyond the descriptions on the formula can!
Here are some answers for moms👩 frequently asked about formula feeding.
About choosing formulas:
🍼What is the best baby formula for a newborn?
I know there are various choices for baby formula, but I would say the best one is the one that you can easily find in the nearby store🏪. Generally, formulas out there are all FDA-approved if sold in the USA, so I would say the ones you have easy access are the best.
The story will be different if your newborn has any kind of allergies, and your pediatrician will make a recommendation when you gave birth at a hospital, so you might want to follow their recommendation.
🍼Can you switch formulas?
Generally, there is no issue with switching your baby’s formula. Changing the brand or type your baby usually had is perfectly fine. However, if you can, try to stick with the same formula if there was no problem while feeding it😉. If your baby had no problem with the formula you were using, but you want to change the brand, try finding the formula with the same base as the previous one. For example, if the one you used is cow’s milk-based, changing to the one that’s also cow’s milk under a different label based will be safer.
Formula mixing:
🍼How long can baby formula sit out after it’s mixed?
The best is to offer the formula in a timely manner, but I know it is not easy as it sounds! If the formula is at room temperature and hasn’t been contacted with the baby’s mouth, it has to be consumed within two hours of preparation. If you can’t, store it in a refrigerator🧊 and use it within 24 hours! However, you should throw out the leftovers if there are any in the bottle for safety reasons because the combination of baby saliva and formula can grow bacteria!
🍼Should baby formula always be warm?
It is not mandatory to make the formula warm. So if you are too tired or in a hurry to warm the formula, you don’t have to feel guilty about giving a room temperature bottle because they are perfectly fine😌.
NEVER use a microwave to warm the formula because it creates hot spots and could burn a baby’s mouth! Always check the temperature of the formula before serving it.
Safety tips when using formula
Always check your formula can for safety👷! See if they are expired, damaged, or leaked. Also check inside to see if there are any unusual, such as moles or uncertain lumps. If you spy on any one of them, don’t use it🙅♀️!
If the formula is too watery, it can interfere with growth and nutrition. If the formula is too thick, on the other way, it might cause dehydration! So before you start mixing the brand-new formula, always check the instruction and follow the right measurement.