No other food is as nutritious as breast milk for a newborn. It provides necessary nourishment, protects infants from sickness, allergies, and so many diseases. However, breastfeeding is not as easy as we all think. In the early weeks of breastfeeding, many mothers face insufficient milk supply. While many suffer from cracked nipple issues, some women become ill with breast infections. If you are suffering from any of these situations, it is safe to keep your baby away from consuming breast milk. And, powdered formula is the best alternative healthy choice for your baby. It’s not a difficult task, but sometimes it will make you puzzled when you are unaware of the basics. Here we will discuss making infant formula for newborns. It will also help you to understand the methods of formula feeding in detail.
What are the ingredients of infant formula?
Nutrients in a powdered infant formula vary from brand to brand, country to country. In general, maximum infant formulas contain purified cows’ milk or vegetable milk as a protein source. Those formulas also contain vegetable oils like coconut, palm, soybean, rapeseed, sunflower oil, etc. Lactose, fatty acids, amino acids, enzymes, probiotics are few ingredients many companies use while making formula milk. In the disguise of any formula, make sure that your baby is getting enough nutrition its health deserves.
Tasks to be done first:
At first, you need to select the right recipe for your baby. Two types of formulae are available in the market. One is powder milk for regular use. Another type is the ready-to-feed formula. Some parents prefer to feed homemade formula, and many like to feed powdered form made from scratch. Consult with a pediatrician on which one will be the best for your baby. Your infant’s body may require vegetable milk if he has an allergy to dairy products.
You need to select a bottle which your baby will not reject or a sippy cup. There are hundreds of bottles in the market. Buy one that will capture your baby’s attention. Some different types of bottles are also available in the market. These bottles have a separate vessel to store both powder and water. Make sure that the bottle is free from PVC or other toxic materials.
Some rules you need to follow before each feeding:
- Wash your hands well
- Always shake properly before feeding
What kind of water should I use? Do I have to boil water for formula?
You can find some bottled water in groceries, especially for powdered formula. This water doesn’t contain fluoride, lead, etc. Fluoride is a harmful particle in water that may lead to tooth decay of your baby. But if your tap water is fluoride-free, no need to buy water from groceries. Boil to make it germ-free.
How to make formula milk for babies:
- First, fill more than half of the bottle with fresh water.
- Boil the water and leave it for a few minutes until the temperature comes down to 65 degrees Celsius.
- Good hygiene is essential. Wash your hands properly, and clean your surroundings.
- Place the bottle on a clean surface.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on water ratio. Check if the water level is correct according to the amount of powder you want to take. Never put the water in the bottle before the powder.
- Take the powder according to the measurement chart, and use that scoop inside the powder can. If there is no scoop inside the can, take a smaller one from your regular use only for this purpose.
Don’t pour the spoon into the water. Always try to keep it dry and inside the powder can. - Close the bottle opening with the teat and cover with the cap.
- Shake the bottle until the powder dissolved into the water.
- Leave the baby bottle in cool water with the closed lid. Test the temperature before giving it to your baby.
- Throw away the leftover formula after each feeding; don’t give it to your baby during the next feed.
Some more essential instructions:
- Make up each feed as required, not excess.
- Try not to store the milk, do not let your baby eat it after 2 hours.
- Never let your baby eat alone.
- Don’t add extra scoops to your baby’s feed.
- Don’t add sugar to your baby’s formula milk.
- Never heat the milk in a microwave oven. It may create hot spots and burn your baby’s mouth.
Warm the made-up formula:
First of all, it does not need to be warm. If you think it’s too cold, don’t go for the microwave. Take a bowl and fill it with warm water. Hold the baby bottle inside the water-bowl and test the temperature on your inside wrist before feeding.
Store the formula:
Never store made-up liquid formula for more than two hours. Store it in a cool and dry place, not in the refrigerator. See the manufacturer’s instructions carefully as it varies from brand to brand.
We hope this article will help you to prepare formula milk for your baby. For more instructions concerning baby care, follow other articles on momion.
