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What Mothers Should Know About Baby Formula

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Written by Chris Channing

Tuesday, 10 June 2008

by ChrisChanning

Baby formula is what mothers should look for when they are unable to perform breast-feeding for any reason. Baby formula supplies the baby with all the nutrients that he or she would be supplied with from breast milk in order to develop. This is all done without the mother being forced to feed the baby from her own body.

There are three main forms that baby formula can be found in. These are powdered formula, concentrated formula, and ready to feed formula. Each of these options will fulfill a baby's feeding needs and each has its perks to help a new mother decide which is best for her and her newborn.

The desired formula for those who are concerned with the price of the formula and not the effort it takes to prepare is powdered formula. Powdered formula takes the most amount of effort because it forces the maker to: boil water, mix the powder into the water, stir thoroughly, and allow the mixture to cool before feeding. Sterile water can be used in order to replace the boiling stage, but this requires the water to be purchased adding to the expenses of the formula. Even with sterile water the formula should be heated with feeding younger infants.

Concentrated formula is a think liquid concentrate and is marginally easier to prepare than powdered formula. Although it is more expensive it allows the formula to be mixed with the boiled water much easier than powder. Other than that it has the same preparation steps when dealing with boiled water. When using sterile water a person would be able to make this formula on the run. Simply mix the water with the concentrate in a baby bottle, shake up, and warm if the baby is very young.

Easily the most convenient version of formula is ready to feed formula. As can be judged by the name all a person would have to do to prepare this formula is buy it. After that it can be fed to the infant, although if the infant is very young it should still be warmed.

There are other versions of formula that a doctor can recommend if a baby shows special needs. In some cases a baby may not be able to handle a certain type of formula. If this occurs it should not be a subject of panic, it is a common occurrence and just shows that your baby may have a sensitive stomach.

No one should attempt to make baby formula at home. A baby's system is very sensitive and if a mistake were to occur the infant could be greatly hurt. That is why making baby formula is best left up to professionals.

Sweeteners of any sort should not be added to a baby's formula. That includes sugars and honey. Goat and cow milk should not be used as a replacement for formula, the only form of milk that a baby should be given is human breast-milk.

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