Do you know anyone who has fed their baby formula with a bottle?
What have you heard about formula-feeding?
Do you want to do it the same as others do?
Do it differently?
Formula feeding isn’t hard, but it does take some learning. Here is what you have to do:
Formula
- Use baby formula that you buy in the grocery store, drug store, or discount store.
- Use the same brand of formula if you can, all the time and for the whole first year. Your baby loves her formula, and it upsets her to have to eat a new one.
- Measure and mix formula and water just as it says on the label. Don’t measure in bottles with plastic liners. The lines don’t measure right.
- Feed your baby with warm or cold formula – but do it the same way every time.
- Heat the bottle by holding it under running hot water or putting it in a pan of hot water.
- Heat the bottle right before you feed it. Don’t let formula stand out to warm up.
- Only use the microwave to heat the bottle if you do it right.*
- Wait until your baby is a year old before you give regular milk.
Bottles and
nipples
-
Scrub nipples and
bottles in hot soapy water.
Rinse well. -
Use bottles that are easy to keep clean.
Stay away from fancy shapes. - Make sure the nipple works well. Turn the bottle upside down. Drips should come out one right after the other.
- Glass or plastic bottles are all right. So are bottles with plastic liners.
- All of the usual nipple shapes are all right. Use the same type of nipple all the time or it will upset your baby.
Keeping safe
- Store unopened formula in a cool, dry, indoor place.
- Store opened containers of powdered formula in a cool, dry place with the lid tightly closed. Do not store it in the refrigerator.
- Store unused, opened containers of liquid formula in the refrigerator.
- Use powdered formula within 1 month of opening the container. Write the date on the lid.
- Never use formula after the "Use By" date.
- Throw away leftover prepared formula after you feed.
- If you use well water, get it tested for nitrates and bacteria. Ask your doctor if your baby needs fluoride.
*Microwaving safely
A microwaved bottle can feel warm on the outside but be scalding hot inside. To keep from burning your baby’s mouth:
- Microwave bottles without a nipple or cap to keep the bottle from exploding.
- Heat 4-ounce bottles no more than 30 seconds; 8-ounce bottles no more than 45 seconds.
- After you microwave, put the nipple and ring back on.
- Turn the bottle upside down 10 times to mix the hot and cold spots.
- Test the temperature by putting a few drops of liquid on your wrist. It shouldn’t feel hot or cold.
