There's not a lot of mystery behind canteen-feeding for either you lot or your baby. In fact, newborns can typically figure out how to do it pretty easily.

While breast milk is on tap and set to serve, formula must be called, bought, sometimes prepared and oftentimes stored — which means you'll need a lot of know-how earlier you mix up that first infant bottle.

Whether you're formula-feeding exclusively or just supplementing, here's what you'll need to know to get started.

How to ready your baby'southward formula safely

When selecting formula, always check the expiration engagement. If it's expired or otherwise damaged, don't buy or use it. When y'all're ready to gear up it, follow these steps for how to make a bottle:

  • Wash your easily. Suds upward thoroughly with soap and warm water before preparing formula.
  • Clean the tin. Before opening, wash the tops of formula cans with soap and hot water; rinse well and dry.
  • Clean the can opener. Employ a clean, punch-type can opener to open cans of liquid formula, making two openings — 1 big and i small — for piece of cake pouring. Wash the opener subsequently each use.
  • Mix information technology right. Bank check the directions to see whether the formula needs to be mixed with water and, if information technology does, follow the measurements precisely.
  • Warm the canteen if needed. There is no wellness reason to warm formula, but if you lot do, oestrus the bottle in a pot or bowl of hot water or run hot water over it. Never microwave a formula bottle, which can create hot spots that could burn a babe's oral cavity or throat.
  • Do a temperature check. If you've warmed the bottle, shake a few drops of formula on your inner wrist to see whether it's ready to serve; it doesn't need to be very warm, just torso temperature.
  • Serve speedily. Serve prepared formula within two hours of mixing or inside one hr of when you get-go feeding  to foreclose information technology from spoiling. Not planning on using the bottle correct away? Shop it in the fridge ASAP and serve it within 24 hours].
  • Toss leftovers. Any formula left in the bottle afterward a feeding can harbor bacteria, even if yous refrigerate it.

Tips for Canteen Feeding

What are the dissimilar types of newborn formula?

You're bound to be a flake overwhelmed by the head-spinning choice of brands, varieties and prices you'll notice in the formula section of the store or online. Where to brainstorm?

There are plenty of nutritionally sound options that come up close to replicating nature's perfect recipe. While no formula is packed with the allowed molecules passed in breast milk from female parent to babe, many have the same types and proportions of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.

For instance, nearly formula for infants at present contains DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid), omega-three and omega-6 fatty acids, respectively, that take been shown to heighten mental and visual evolution in infants and play an important role in brain role.

Hither's a look at the nigh common types of babe formula to choose from:

Milk-based, iron-fortified formula

Cow's milk is a definite no-no for babies younger than 12 months because it'due south difficult to digest and doesn't provide the complete nutrition developing infants need. But well-nigh formulas for bottle-feeding employ cow's milk modified for human babies.

Proteins are made hands digestible, milk sugar (lactose) is added to more closely resemble breast milk and vegetable oil is substituted for butterfat (the fatty found naturally in milk).

Because iron is so essential for infant growth and development, both the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the majority of pediatricians recommend iron-fortified formula for well-nigh babies until at to the lowest degree their get-go altogether.

What to Expect selects products based on independent research  and suggestions from our customs of millions of parents; acquire more about our review procedure. We may earn commissions from shopping links.

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Hydrolyzed formula

The poly peptide content in this blazon of formula is broken downward into smaller proteins, making it easier for a baby to digest — which is why it's known as predigested formula. It'southward ofttimes lactose-costless every bit well.

There'south a lot to consider about switching to hydrolyzed or fifty-fifty partially hydrolyzed formula. For one, it's often more expensive — so be sure to talk to your pediatrician about options for bottle-feeding an allergy-prone baby before you make that option.

Soy-based formula

Originally popularized past dairy-averse vegans, soy-based formulas are made from soybeans supplemented with vitamins, minerals and nutrients.

But because soy formulas differ more from human milk than cow'south milk, they aren't usually recommended every bit a beverage-of-option except under certain circumstances — for instance, your baby has a cow's milk allergy. Go on in listen, though, that it's common for infants with a milk allergy to besides be sensitive to soy protein.

The AAP maintains that soy-based formula should merely be used in a handful of situations, like in the rare case that a baby cannot tolerate lactose, a type of sugar institute in milk.

Special formula

Some canteen-feeding babies require special formulations, including premature infants, babies allergic to both cow's milk and soy formulas, and babies with metabolic disorders such as phenylketonuria or PKU.

These infant formula products, which aren't necessary or recommended unless your pediatrician says and then, are often hypoallergenic, lactose-costless or specially like shooting fish in a barrel to assimilate. That said, they also come up with a particularly steep price tag.

Organic formula

These come from milk products that are produced without the use of pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics or growth hormones, and for that reason are considered healthier by some doctors.

However, certain organic infant formulas are sweetened with cane sugar (sucrose), which is significantly sweeter than the sugars commonly used in formula and which, some experts worry, could contribute to problems like tooth decay and backlog weight gain.

Non all organic formulas use sucrose, however, so check the labels. If you still have questions, enquire your pediatrician.

What to Expect selects products based on independent inquiry  and suggestions from our customs of millions of parents; learn more than about our review process. We may earn commissions from shopping links.

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Probiotic and prebiotic formula

Some formulas for babies are now fortified with probiotics, or bacteria that'due south supposed to foreclose diarrhea in otherwise healthy children.

Probiotics should not be given to chronic or seriously ill babies, and the jury is still out on whether or not they're effective in treating diarrhea or preventing whatsoever other atmospheric condition.

Prebiotics are too added to some formulas in order to reduce infections in salubrious children, merely it's still uncertain whether or not they're effective either.

Follow-up formula

These formulas are for babies older than iv months who are bottle-feeding and also eating solid foods. They're not a adept choice for younger babies, though. You lot should ever ask your physician before adding them to the menu.

What's the all-time formula for my baby?

The vast selection of formulas on the store shelves can be dizzying — and more a footling confusing. Here are some smart tips to assist you find the correct one for your infant:

  • Check with a pediatrician. Your infant's doctor can help you narrow the formula field, and so inquire for a recommendation first. Every babe is different, and while the bulk of newborns practice best on standard cow's milk-based formula, a small per centum may demand something special — because of low birth weight, an allergy or an intolerance, for instance.
  • Steer articulate of low-atomic number 26 formulas. The AAP and virtually pediatricians recommend that babies drink iron-fortified formula for the commencement twelvemonth to forestall anemia.
  • Don't assume that special formulas are better formulas. If you're considering a specialty formula — say, i that'southward soy-based — ever ask the doctor before you stock upward. Specialty formulas tend to exist much more expensive and aren't always necessary.
  • Be wary of switching formulas besides quickly. It may be tempting to endeavor a new type of formula the infinitesimal your munchkin spits up. But spitting upward doesn't necessarily signal a problem with what a infant's eating (spit-upwardly happens). About pediatricians recommend staying with a formula for at to the lowest degree a week instead of switching as well frequently, which tin can cause digestive issues.

How much does baby formula cost?

There's no getting around it: Formula can be expensive. You tin can await to shell out between $1,200 and $1,500 on information technology before your baby'south first altogether. That breaks down to around $100 to $125 a month.

Prices vary depending on the type of formula y'all use (pulverisation, concentrate or set-to-feed), and specialized formulas tin be up to 20 percent more expensive than the standard, iron-fortified, cow's-milk variety.

The least expensive option is powdered formula that you mix yourself. Moving up the toll scale is liquid concentrate (just add water) and finally — at the peak of the formula pyramid — ready-to-feed formula.

Looking for a way to go on cost down but non ready to give up on convenience? Ane approach is to splurge on ready-to-feed formula during your baby's start few weeks when sleep is hard to come by — and the terminal affair you lot want to exercise is measure and mix at 2 a.m. Once your little one is sleeping more than and your feeding routine is well-established, you may feel more upwards to the job of making bottles, so y'all can switch to one of the kinds you take to whip up yourself.

Some other style to save on formula? Attempt registering on the manufacturer's website for coupons and rebate checks. Ownership generic formula will as well save you some money.

Signs your baby is hungry

Ideally, you lot should feed your baby at the first signs of hunger. He might exist tiny, but he'll make his needs known by:

  • Nuzzling confronting your breasts
  • Sucking furiously on his hands, your shirt or your arm
  • Opening his mouth
  • Rooting reflex (turning his head to the side with his mouth open to find the food source, often after his cheek is stroked)
  • Sucking on his lip or natural language, which tin can look like he's sticking his tongue out
  • Making lip-smacking sounds
  • Crying in a short, low-pitched wail that rises and falls

How much formula should a baby swallow?

Showtime your newborn out slowly. For the commencement week or so, your baby volition probably take about i to 3 ounces at each feeding every 3 to four hours or on demand. Gradually increase the ounces, adding more as the demand becomes greater, simply never push your baby to take more than he wants.

A very full general dominion of pollex is to take your infant's weight and multiply it by 2.5 — that's the total number of ounces of formula to feed your baby over the course of a 24-hour period. So if your baby weighs 10 pounds, he should exist drinking roughly twenty to 25 ounces per solar day — or about 3 to iv ounces every four hours.

Need more guidance? Bank check in with your pediatrician almost how much to requite your babe.

formula feeding chart

Formula-fed baby poop

Compare what's in the diaper of a breastfed baby with what's in that of a formula-fed baby, and you'll likely see some differences. In general, the stool of a formula-fed infant smells stronger, is darker in color and is firmer than that of a breastfed baby. (Fifty-fifty a brown-greenish color is normal.)

Ultimately, baby poop varies from baby to babe. Different smells and colors are usually nothing to worry about. Only in that location's no harm in checking in with your baby's pediatrician if you're concerned.

You should also telephone call the dr. if your infant's poop seems hard and pebbly,  much thicker than peanut butter, thin or watery, red- or black-tinged, or has a white or clay-like appearance.

Is formula e'er bad or unsafe for my baby?

Infant formula is safer and easier to use than ever. But you however accept to be careful when ownership, preparing and storing it. Follow these tips to make certain formula is every bit rubber as possible for your baby.

Ever bank check the formula expiration date.

If it'south expired, don't buy or use information technology. Same goes for cans or containers that are dented, leaky, rusty or otherwise damaged — fifty-fifty a pin-size pigsty tin can let in harmful bacteria.

Know your water.

You lot don't need to sterilize the water used to mix formula by boiling it. But it is proficient to know how safe your tap or well water is when mixing formula. If you don't, consider having your supply tested and, if necessary, purified. Information technology'due south non a bad idea to use the cold water faucet and let the water run for a minute to flush out the brackish supply. Or just use bottled h2o (not distilled).

Mix information technology right.

Check the directions to see whether the formula needs to be mixed with h2o and if it does, follow the measurements precisely. Formula that'due south under-diluted can lead to problems including dehydration, while over-diluted formula can interfere with a infant's growth and nutrition.

Always toss leftovers.

Bacteria from a baby'due south saliva tin multiply in the bottle, so ever toss any leftover formula. If you're worried about waste, offering up smaller servings and requite him a refill if he'due south hungry for more.

Keep prepared bottles of formula refrigerated until prepare to use.

If you're traveling away from habitation, store previously prepared bottles in an insulated container or a tightly sealed plastic pocketbook with a small ice pack or a dozen ice cubes. The formula volition stay fresh as long equally most of the ice is frozen. Don't apply pre-mixed formula that's no longer common cold to the touch — it'll take to be tossed.

Throw unused refrigerated formula abroad co-ordinate to the instructions on the label.

Refrigerated formula that's been opened or poured into bottles needs to be tossed after a certain amount of time, depending on what kind it is. Check the characterization and throw out anything yous don't use in the amount of time specified.

When do babies stop drinking formula?

Yous should make the switch from formula to whole cow's milk (or a nutritionally equivalent alternative like fortified soy milk) around your cutie'due south first birthday, but not before. Avert serving cow'southward milk to babies under ane. Information technology doesn't contain all the nutrients infants demand and the proteins can be hard for their sensitive stomachs to digest.

Cow'south milk isn't every bit sweet as formula (or chest milk), and so the taste might be different than what your newly minted toddler is used to. If he's a piddling wary, endeavour making the transition gradually.

Mix cow'south milk into formula, slowly increasing the ratio of milk to formula until your child has adjusted to all milk. At that betoken, aim to offer 2 to three cups (16 to 24 ounces) of cow's milk daily.

Now's besides a skilful time to work on trading the bottle for a toddler sippy cup. Some parents opt to start serving cow'southward milk from a cup straight abroad, but a gradual arroyo works too. Wean  your toddler off bottles by 12 to 15 months of age, co-ordinate to the AAP.

Figuring out the whole formula thing might seem like a lot at first. But have centre in knowing that you'll find a formula your infant likes, acquire the prep and storage ropes in no time and settle into a good feeding routine so that it all becomes second nature earlier yous know it.