Feeding your baby formula
Infant formula provides a balanced food source for babies.
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Infant formulas for babies have been developed as a substitute for breast milk when a woman is unable to breast-feed because of physical or medical reasons or because she chooses not to.
Infant formulas are made to meet babies' needs and to match the composition of breast milk as closely as possible. They also need to be friendly to your baby's immature intestine. For all these reasons, the composition of infant formulas, including the vitamin and mineral content, is carefully controlled by the Infant and Dietetic Foods Association, which sets strict standards. Because breast milk contains living cells and other factors that cannot be reproduced artificially, it is impossible to produce a formula equal in all aspects to breast milk. However, formulas do meet the nutritional needs of most babies.
Types of formulas
Most infant formulas are derived from cow's milk or soya milk. These are known as standard formulas and are generally well tolerated by most babies. However, special formulas are available for babies who are not able to digest, absorb, or process standard formulas.
Similar to breast milk
Cow's milk contains most of the nutrients necessary for growth and development, although not in the appropriate proportions that are suitable for human babies. However, cow's milk can be easily modified by formula manufacturers into the right proportions.
Once the milk has been modified, the formula has a similar amount of calories as breast milk and also similar amounts and proportions of proteins, fats, lactose (the sugar that is found naturally in milk), vitamins, and minerals.
Soya milk formulas are modified too. For example, they have certain amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) added to make them more like human milk.
How much formula?
When preparing formula, always follow the manufacturer's directions carefully. Always level off the scoop when preparing formula or you will make it too concentrated. Your baby's daily needs are 500-600ml (18-20floz) until one year - average milk intake is 150ml per kg (5floz per 2.2lb) of body weight. Early on, your baby will only drink 30-60ml (1-2floz) at each feed and will gradually work up to 120-180ml (4-6floz). When starting solid foods, he or she may drink a 180-240ml (6-8floz) bottle after meals and one at bedtime.
Do not enlarge the hole in the teat - this will lead to overfeeding and possibly rapid weight gain, or choking. When your baby refuses the bottle or drops it or stops sucking, he or she has most likely had enough. By recognizing this, you will be less inclined to overfeed. If your baby always seems hungry, discuss it with your health visitor.
Lisa Hark, PhD RD & Dr Darwin Deen
Posted 14.02.2011
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