What Do I Need to Do to Feed Formula to my Baby?
1. Get the proper supplies
I will buy:
- bottles
- nipples
- separate pot
- mixing tools that are used for formula only
I will replace the nipples as they wear out.
2. Take the time
- I will take the time to mix the formula by
following the directions.
- I will take the time to sterilize the bottles
and nipples after each time they are used to
protect my baby from infection.
- I know this can take 1 or 2 hours every day.
3. Set aside the money
- I am willing to spend $100 or more every
month for formula.
- I may spend more than this if my baby
needs a specialty formula (soy, lactose free,
allergenic, with special ingredients).
4. Protect my baby’s health
- I will wash my hands and all equipment
carefully so that germs do not get into the
formula.
- I will throw out leftover formula at the end
of a feeding or if it has been too long since I
mixed it.
- I will use safe water to mix the formula,
even if it means that my home water source
is not suitable to use for formula.
5. Get help when my baby is ill
- I know that babies who are not breastfed
are at higher risk of SIDS, ear infections,
allergies, asthma, digestive distress, and
other long term health problems.
- I will get help if my baby does not tolerate
the formula they are fed, and know that
changes in formula can take a while for the
baby to get used to.
Formula Feeding Your Baby
If a baby is not breastfed, infant formula should be offered to baby until 9-12 months of age.
If your baby is fed formula, this will provide enough
nutrition for their first 6 months of life. There is
no need to give solid foods, including infant cereal, to a
formula fed baby less than 6 months of age.
Choosing a Formula
Infant formulas mostly differ in the type of sugar and
protein that they have.
When you choose a formula, try to avoid
switching often as it can upset baby’s stomach.
Regular Formula
Start with a cow’s milk formula. Regular infant
formulas are made with lactose (type of sugar)
and cow’s milk (type of protein). Most infants
under 12 months of age who are not breastfed
should be given a cow’s milk based formula.
Specialty Formulas
Only used when a physician has diagnosed intolerance
to cow’s milk protein formula.
Soy formulas are made with soy protein and are lactose
free. They are for babies who do not tolerate lactose or
milk proteins.
Elemental formulas are also lactose free and are made
with hydrosylate proteins, which are easy to digest for
infants with allergies. If you have a family history of food
allergies, your physician may recommend that you start
your baby off with a soy or elemental formula if baby is
not breastfed.
Lactose free formulas are made without lactose but do
have cow’s milk proteins. Infants are not usually born
with a lactose intolerance, so these formulas are usually
not needed.
Other infant formulas may be thickened, which is
thought to be helpful for infants with reflux. Specialized
formula for premature babies are also available.
What About Iron?
There are two types of formula – regular and ironfortified. A regular formula that is not “iron-fortified”
still has iron, just not as much as the type that is
labelled “iron-fortified” or “added iron.” In general,
it is recommended that infants who are not breastfed
receive an iron-fortified formula. Talk to your health care
provider if you think your baby is not tolerating an ironfortified formula.
Getting Ready to Prepare Formula
There are three different types of formula. All three
offer the same calories, vitamins & minerals.
- Liquid concentrate (need to mix with water)
Harmful to baby if you forget to dilute it!
Liquid concentrate ends up costing about the
same as powdered formula once it is diluted.
- Ready-to-feed (no preparation required)
- Powder (need to mix with sterile water)
Powdered formula IS NOT STERILE. Infants
who are premature (and under 2 months
corrected age), low birthweight (and under 2
months of age), or immunocompromised are at
highest risk from getting sick from non-sterile
powdered formula. These babies should not
be fed powdered formula unless specifically
recommended by your physician.
Equipment needed
- Bottles
- Nipples
- Rings (to hold nipples on)
- Large pot with lid to boil water and equipment
- Measuring cup
- Bottle & nipple brush (for cleaning)
- Bottle liners (depending on type of bottles used)
- Container for storing prepared formula
Sterilize all bottles, rings, utensils, and nipples in boiling water for 2 minutes. Do this for at least the first 4 months of a baby’s life.
Preparing formula
- Wipe the top of the can of formula before opening
to get rid of any dust or dirt that might get mixed in
with the formula inside when the can is opened.
- Check the expiry date (side or bottom of the can).
- Do not use the can if it is dented. Air may have
gotten in and allowed bacteria to grow. Try returning it to
the store.
- Each formula has its own instructions, so do not
assume you know the correct amounts.
- Measure carefully.
- Boil water for at least 2 minutes after it reaches a “rolling” boil. This will sterilize the water.
For infants who are full term:
- Formulas to Use
- ready-to-feed,
- liquid concentrate, or
- powdered infant formula.
- Water
- Boiled water that has been cooled to room or
body temperature can be used to prepare liquid
concentrate or powdered infant formula.
- It is best to use formula immediately after preparation. Prepared formula can be stored in the fridge, but
for no longer than 24 hours.
For infants who are:
- Pre-term & under 2 months corrected age
- Low birth-weight & under 2 months of age
- Immunocompromised
When your preterm or low birthweight baby turns
2 months corrected age, consult your health care provider
about which formula to use.
- Formulas to Use
- ready-to-feed or
- liquid concentrate
Powdered formula is not recommended because it is not sterile and risk of infection to the baby is higher.
- Water
- Boiled water that has been cooled to room temperature can be used to prepare liquid
concentrate formula.
- If the use of powdered infant forumla is the only option:
- Prepare formula within 30 minutes of boiling the water.
- Check feeding temperature by shaking a few drops of the formula onto the inside of your wrist.
- If storing prepared formula for later use, put it in the fridge right away and store for no longer than 24 hours.
Some powdered infant formula cannot be prepared as
above because of heat-sensitive ingredients, such as
human milk fortifiers or formulas for special medical
purposes. Consult your health care provider.
Water for formula
Water that is OK to use for making formula:
- Municipal tap water
- Well water - If using well water to make baby formula, be sure to test it for bacteria, nitrates, and fluoride at least 2 times per year.
- Bottled water - Be sure to check sodium content on the label and make sure it is less than 20 mg/L
None of these types of water are sterile. Make sure to sterilize any kind of water for babies less than 4 months of age.
Water can be sterilized and stored at room temperature for 24 hours in a sealed and sterile container, or for 2-3 days in the fridge in a sealed and sterile container.
Do NOT use these types of water for formula:
- Distilled
- Reverse osmosis
- Softened
- Carbonated
- Mineral
- Fruit flavoured bottled water
How Much Will Baby Eat?
You know your baby is getting enough if they have
regular bowel movements, wet diapers, and if they are
gaining weight. Bowel movements should be soft
and regular (every 1-2 days). There should be at least 6
heavy & wet diapers each day (after the 6th day of life),
and the urine should be light yellow or colorless.
Babies tend to have a growth spurt around 2-3 weeks,
6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months of age. Babies get
hungry more often during a growth spurt. There is no
need to give solid food or infant cereal during these growth
spurts, just more formula!
Birth to day three - Expect your baby to:
- Feed very often
- Take small amounts of formula - ½ to 2 oz at each feeding
- Take larger amounts each day
Day four to one month - Expect your baby to:
- Feed 6-10 times every 24 hours
- Usually take 1-3 oz. at each feeding
- Take more formula at each feeding as they get older
- Show you when they are hungry and full
- Gain weight well
After the first month - Expect your baby to:
If you still find it confusing to know if your baby is
getting enough formula, look at the last column of
the table below, “Amount of formula
to prepare each day”. Use this as a guide to know
if your baby is taking in enough formula to ensure
good nutrition.
Just make enough bottles of formula to last one day.
Use any formula you make within 24 hours.
| How Much Infant Formula to Prepare |
| Age |
# of Feedings per Day |
Amount of formula in each bottle |
Amount of Formula to Prepare per Day |
| Birth |
6 - 10 |
Birth to Day 3 Baby will need:
* frequent feedings
* ½ to 2 oz at each feeding
* larger amounts each day |
14 - 22 oz
(410 - 650 mL) |
| 2 weeks |
6 - 10 |
2-4 oz (59 - 118 mL) |
16 - 26 oz
(470 - 770 mL) |
| 1 month |
6 - 8 |
2-4 oz (59 - 118 mL) |
17 - 29 oz
(500 - 860 mL) |
| 2 months |
5 - 7 |
2-4 oz ++ (59 - 118 mL ++) |
22 - 35 oz
(650-1030 mL) |
| 3 months |
5 - 7 |
5-6 oz (148 - 177 mL) |
24 - 39 oz
(710 - 1150 mL) |
| 4 months |
5 - 7 |
|
20 - 37 oz
(590 - 1090 mL) |
| 5 months |
5 - 7 |
|
22 - 39 oz
(650 - 1150 mL) |
| 6 months |
4 - 5 |
6-8 oz. (177 - 237 mL) |
17 - 35 oz
(500 - 1030 mL) |
| 7 months |
4 - 5 |
|
16 - 35 oz
(470 - 1030 mL) |
| 8 months |
4 - 5 |
|
17 - 37 oz
(500 - 1090 mL) |
| 9 months |
3 - 4 |
6-8 oz. (177 - 237 mL) |
10 - 30 oz
(300 - 890 mL) |
| 10 months |
3 - 4 |
|
10 - 31 oz
(300 - 920 mL) |
| 11 months |
3 - 4 |
|
11 - 33 oz
(330 - 980 mL) |
| 12 months |
0 - 3 |
|
0 - 21 oz
(0 - 620 mL) |
Note: This table is a guide for the approximate amount of infant formula to prepare.
The infant’s appetite should be the guide for how much infant formula to offer.
Adapted from Manual of Clinical Dietetics 2000 (for amount of formula in each
bottle), and the Institute of Medicine 2005, and World Health Organization 2004/2006
(for number of feedings per day and amount of formula to prepare per day).
Safe Storage of Prepared Formula
- Use prepared bottles within 24 hours.
- Do not leave prepared formula out of the
refrigerator for more than 2 hours. Once you’ve
started feeding your child, the bottle should be
used within 2 hours. Throw out any leftovers.
- Opened cans of powdered formula should be kept covered
with the lid and used within one month.
- When a can of ready-to-feed or liquid concentrate is opened, any leftover contents should be poured
into a glass container before being put in the
refrigerator, or the open can should be tightly
covered and put in the refrigerator. The formula
should be kept covered in the refrigerator and used
within 24 hours of opening the original container.
- Do not freeze any kind of infant formula. Freezing
affects the quality of the formula, and it will
probably separate after thawing.
- Keep prepared bottles of formula in the main part
of the fridge (not in the fridge door). The main part
of the fridge keeps the formula colder.
Warming a Baby's Bottle
Warm prepared infant formula in a bottle warmer or by
placing the bottle in a container of warm water for no
more than 15 minutes. (Warming for a longer time means
that the formula will stay at a temperature that can cause
growth of harmful bacteria.)
Test the temperature by putting a few drops on your wrist.
The formula should feel a bit warm, not hot.
Do not use a microwave to heat formula.
The microwave heats the formula unevenly, so even if the
bottle feels cool and you “shake” it, there may still be “hot
spots” in the formula that can burn baby’s mouth. Plastic
bottles and bottle liners can breakdown or melt in the
microwave, causing chemicals to leak into the formula.
How to Feed Formula
- Always hold your baby when feeding him. Hold
the bottle with your hand. Do not prop the bottle
with a blanket or other object.
- Hold the baby with their head a bit higher than the
rest of their body.
- Do not lay the baby down while drinking a bottle.
Milk or formula may slip into your baby’s airway
causing him to choke.
- Be sure the hole in the nipple is the right size – when you hold the bottle upside down, about one
drop per second should come out.
- Hold the bottle at a slight angle so that the nipple is
always full of formula.
- To get your baby to open his mouth, try gently
stroking his cheek near his lips with your finger.
Never force the nipple into the baby’s mouth.
- Younger babies need frequent burping. Burp your
baby gently half way through the feeding and at
the end.
- Your baby has had enough formula when his
sucking slows down, he turns his head away, or he
falls asleep. If your baby is full, stop the feeding
even if there is still formula left in the bottle. Let
your baby decide how much they want to eat.
- If your baby falls asleep while finishing a bottle,
keep him upright on your shoulder or on your
chest for at least 10 minutes. This allows any milk
or formula still in his mouth to get safely to the
stomach.
- Throw away left over formula that is in the bottle.
The baby’s saliva will go into the formula in the
bottle, and it can cause bacteria to grow as well as
start to break down the sugar and starches in the
formula. Throw away formula that has been out of
the fridge for two hours.
- Throw away formula that baby does not drink
within two hours. Formula should not be rewarmed
during a feed.
- Never put your baby to bed with a bottle. The
formula can pool in your baby’s mouth and cause
the baby’s teeth to decay.
Vitamin & Mineral Supplements
Healthy full-term infants who are fed any iron-fortified
infant formula generally do not require a vitamin and
mineral supplement.
If you give your child supplements, make sure that your
doctor knows about it. Carefully follow the directions
on the label. Too much of any vitamin or mineral
supplement can be harmful to your baby’s health.
Vitamin D
Any baby who is drinking less than 32 ounces (1 L) of formula per day should be given a daily vitamin D supplement of 400 IU until about one year of age. This includes babies who are 0-12 months of age and partially or fully formula fed.
Iron
If your baby was full term and is healthy, they likely do
not need to take an iron supplement. Talk to your doctor
first. Iron supplements can be very dangerous if too
much is taken.
Fluoride
It is suggested that families with infants and young
children who use well water have their water tested
for fluoride content.
Before considering the use of fluoride supplements
or rinses, talk to your dentist or doctor. Call the
Health Unit for more information.
Fussy Babies (colic)
All babies have fussy times, sometimes during the day,
evening, or night. A “colicky” baby cries or screams for
hours every day.
Experts are not sure about the cause of colic. There are
many theories and myths. If you are concerned about
your baby’s crying, talk to your doctor or a public health
nurse. They can provide some advice on coping with a
colicky baby.
Here are a few things you may want to try:
- Take a late afternoon nap with your baby to
give yourself a boost.
- Try the age-old treatment of walking or
rocking the baby. To take some of the load
off your tired arms, use a front carrier. The
combination of body contact, swaddling and
motion often puts babies to sleep. Do not
worry about picking up your baby too often.
You will not spoil a baby by comforting him/her.
- Take your baby for a car ride in his/her car
seat. Often, the motion of the car puts babies
to sleep.
- Give your baby a warm bath. You may have
to deal with a few minutes of screaming at the
beginning, but often a bath brings relief to a
colicky infant.
- NEVER SHAKE A BABY, no matter how
frustrated you become. Ask someone to come
and give you a break. Shaking a baby can cause
serious injury and may be fatal.
- Try some of the over-the-counter remedies
in drug stores. Ask your doctor about these
products before using them.
Burping
Some babies burp easily, others do not. Try to burp your
baby once during a feeding and then again at the end
of a feeding. Also, burp your baby when he/she seems
uncomfortable or if he/she falls asleep too soon. Air in
your baby’s stomach can cause pain. If your baby has
difficulty burping, try changing the baby’s position to
raise the air bubble in his/her stomach.
Here are three ways to burp babies:
- Hold baby at your shoulder and gently pat or rub the
middle of their back.
- Sit with baby in a sitting position on your lap. Put one
hand under their chin and the other on their back;
gently pat their back.
- Place your baby on their tummy on your lap for a few
seconds, then bring them to your shoulder and gently
pat their back.
Spitting Up
Babies often spit up small amounts of milk during the
first 4-6 months, especially while burping. If your baby
spits up a lot, it may be because your baby is drinking
too fast or too much, swallowing air while sucking
or having too much activity after feeding.
Keep baby upright for 10 minutes after feeding to reduce the amount of spitting up.
If you are
worried, talk to your doctor or a public health nurse.
If your baby is forcefully vomiting and it continues with
every feeding, talk to your doctor.
Night Feeds (Not Sleeping Through the Night)
It is normal and healthy for young babies to wake
up during the night for at least one feeding, and
maybe more. Their small stomachs cannot hold
enough milk to last through the night and they
get hungry.
Frequent feedings at night help to prevent
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Babies
may wake for night feedings whether they
are fed breastmilk or formula. Every baby is
different.
Usually, when baby is several months old, they
are able to go without a feeding for 5 to 6 hours at
night. This is true except when your baby is going
through a growth spurt or is teething.
If your baby is going through a growth spurt, they may wake up more often, even if
they have been sleeping well until that point. It
is important to offer a feeding at these times. It
means that the baby needs more formula, not that
they need to have solid foods introduced sooner.
When your baby is ready, they will begin to sleep
longer again. Every baby does this at a different age.
Offering infant cereal at bed time either from a spoon or
in a bottle mixed with formula is not the solution
to get baby to sleep through the night. This may
actually make the sleeping situation worse if baby
is not ready for solid foods. If you do this and baby
starts to sleep through the night, it is coincidence.
Babies will sleep through the night when they are
developmentally ready.
Teething
Teething can be painful.
Red cheeks, drooling
and irritability are all
normal symptoms of
teething.
A slight fever may also be associated with teething,
but a high fever, diarrhea and vomiting are not normal
symptoms of teething. Talk to your health care provider.
Use a finger cot, a cool teething ring, or a clean, cool,
damp washcloth for your child to chew on when
teething. Teething biscuits containing sugar are not
recommended.
Use of a pain reliever recommended by your health
professional may be used, but TEETHING GELS can be
dangerous and are not recommended. Teething gels can
accidentally numb the areas of the mouth and throat that
could prevent your baby’s gag reflex from working.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know when my baby is hungry or done drinking?
Signs that your baby is hungry:
- Moves towards you
- Turns towards bottle when cheek is
touched with the nipple
- Smacks their lips
- Sucks on fingers or hands
- Searches with an open mouth
Signs that your baby is full:
- Stops sucking on nipple
- Turns head away
- Arms and legs stretched out
- Feels settled and relaxed
- Pushing the nipple out of their mouth
Stress while bottle feeding may be shown by some
of these signs – try stopping the feeding and starting
again, or feeding at a later time.
- Swallowing quickly without taking a breath
after each swallow
- Making squeaking noises
- Gulping, choking
- Raising hands toward bottle with open hands or fists
- Breathing fast or working hard to catch their breath
- Milk leaking out the side of their mouth
- Squirming or struggling to be comfortable
- Pushing the nipple out of their mouth
- Opening eyes widely as if they look alarmed
- Frowning or crying
What type of bottle should I use?
Bottles come in different shapes, such as straight or
angled (that lets less air into the nipple). Also, bottles can
be made of either plastic or glass. Plastic bottles do not
break, but they do break down so need to be replaced
when they show signs of damage such as discoloration
and cracks. Plastic baby bottles may contain a
chemical called bisphenol-A (BPA) that may leach from
polycarbonate plastic into breast milk or baby formula.
Make sure that any plastic baby bottles you use are BPA-free
or use glass baby bottles.
What type of nipple should I use?
Nipples can be made of a number of materials (silicone,
latex, or rubber) and can be different shapes (traditional,
orthodontic, or flat-topped). Nipples are also available
in a range of sizes and flow-speeds. Because you cannot
know beforehand which nipple your baby will prefer,
buy one of a few different types and try them out. Once
you figure out which nipple your baby prefers, then buy
enough to last a few months.
How long do I need to keep boiling bottles?
Health Canada recommends that water and equipment
used to make formula must be sterilized for at least the
first 4 months of the baby’s life. Plastic bottles and latex
nipples do deteriorate over time and will need to be
replaced.
How often should I change the bottles and nipples?
Plastic bottles and nipples need to be replaced when they show the following signs of break-down:
- Color change
- Thinning - test this by pulling hard on the nipple. If
it bounces back to its original shape, then it is OK.
If not, then it needs to be thrown out and replaced.
- Sticky feel when dry
- Cracks & Tears
- Hole gets larger (formula drips out very fast, or pours out in a stream)
How often you change the bottle nipples depends on
what they are made of, how often they are used, and how
often they are sterilized. Replace the nipples as soon as
any of the above signs of damage are noticed.
Can I use an electric bottle sterilizer to sterilize bottles and formula?
There are a number of electric bottle sterilizer units
available that claim to sterilize bottles and formula at
the same time. Although it is unlikely that these units
will cause any nutrient losses in the formula for heating
at a high temperature, the ability of these units to ensure
sterilization of the formula may depend on a few things.
Although these machines may reach the appropriate
temperatures for sterilization of formula and bottles
when the machine is made, over time they may be less
effective. As well, unless there is a timed–temperature
mechanism built in that will tell how long the formula
stays at a given temperature, there is no way to know if
the formula remains at a high enough temperature for
long enough to ensure that it will be sterile.
If using an electric bottle/formula sterilizer, it is
recommended that the water used to make the formula
be sterilized by boiling at a rolling boil for 2 minutes,
then cooled before being used to make formula. This
step of sterilizing the water should be done before using
an electric bottle/formula sterilizer.
Can I clean bottles & nipples in the dishwasher?
A dishwasher will not sterilize bottles and nipples. A
dishwasher also may not get the residue of formula out
of the nipple hole or from around the top of the bottle.
Use bottle and nipple brushes in hot soapy water in order
to ensure they are properly cleaned.
Should I prepare the formula in the bottles or in a jug?
Formula can be prepared either in a large sterilized jug
or in individual sterilized bottles. Either way, make
sure the amount of formula and sterilized water used
match preparation instructions, and make just enough
formula to last 24 hours. If you make more before the
first batch is gone, do not mix newly prepared formula
with formula that is already a day old – keep each batch
separate, and label so that it is clear when each bottle or
container full of formula has been made.
What if I don't mix the formula correctly?
Under-dilution (using too little water or too much
formula powder or liquid concentrate) can cause
problems for the baby, including:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Inflammation of the intestines
- Stress on kidneys and overall digestive system
Over-dilution (using too much water) can cause
problems for the baby, including:
- Low nutrient intake
- Water intoxication - can lead to seizures, hypothermia, electrolyte imbalance, and death
If either of these happens for one feeding by mistake,
the baby will not likely suffer long term negative effects.
But if it happens more than once, and over a period of
time, then the baby can get very sick. Be sure to follow
the directions for formula preparation very carefully.
Do I Need Gripe Water or Medicine for Gas?
Babies produce gas. It is normal for a baby to have gas
caused by extra air in the digestive system. To help
reduce gas:
- Feed your baby at the first signs of hunger, so that
they do not feed too quickly and suck in a lot of
air
- Burp your baby often through a feeding
- Allow baby to spend time on his stomach to help
with digestion
- Move baby’s legs in a bicycle motion to help move
food and gas through the digestive system
- You do not necessarily need medicine if your baby
has gas. Talk to a health care provider if you have
tried these suggestions and still have concerns
about your child’s gas.
How do I know if my baby is constipated and what can I do about it?
Babies who are formula fed generally have a bowel
movement multiple times each day, especially in the
first few weeks of life. However, it is also common for
formula fed babies who are a bit older (not newborn)
to have a bowel movement every 1-2 days. Formula
fed babies’ stool should be light colored, firm but not
hard, and with a consistency similar to peanut butter.
A formula fed baby may grunt or cry when they have a
bowel movement, but as long as the consistency of the
stool is normal, then they are not constipated.
If your baby has true constipation, they will be having
a difficult time passing small, hard, dry stools that look
like a “pebble.” If your baby is passing “pebble” like
stools, talk to your health care provider.
Will my baby be constipated on iron fortified formula?
Iron-fortified formulas are not likely to cause baby to
be constipated. Each baby tolerates formula differently,
whether it is iron-fortified or not. If your baby
becomes constipated on a formula, talk to your health
care provider.
My baby seems fussy, should I switch formulas?
Once you choose a formula, stick with it. Switching
formulas too often can cause stomach upset and changes
in bowel habits in the baby. If you feel you need to
switch formulas, talk to your health care provider first.
If you do switch formulas, the baby needs to be solely
on the new formula for at least one full week in order to
know how well the baby is going to tolerate it.
When can I stop warming a bottle?
Warming baby formula is done to make it more
acceptable to baby. If your own baby will drink formula
that is a colder temperature, it is fine to offer it this way.
Warming the bottle or leaving it cool does not affect the
nutritional content of the formula.
Is liquid concentrate more expensive than powdered formula?
Not necessarily. Although it is more expensive at the
time to buy a case of liquid concentrate versus a can of
powdered formula, the overall cost of the diluted liquid
concentrate and powdered formula works out to be
almost the same (depending on brand and type), and
sometimes the liquid concentrate works out to be less
expensive.
If I am partially breastfeeding and offering formula as a supplement, what is the best formula to use?
If you are partially breastfeeding and offering formula as
a supplement, and if your baby has no food allergies or
intolerances, then a regular cow’s milk based formula can
be used. A specialty formula is only needed if there is
an intolerance or allergy to cow’s milk protein or lactose.
Talk to a public health nurse or your health care provider
about whether your baby needs to be supplemented with
formula. Read “Getting ready to prepare formula".
What About DHA?
Some formulas have added fatty acids that might be
labelled “omega-3”, “DHA”, or “ARA.” These often
cost more than other formulas, and there is no known
health advantage to these formulas when compared to a
regular formula. It is up to you as a parent whether you
want to give this type of formula or not.
What are “follow up formulas”?
“Follow-up” formula or “second stage” formulas
generally have more calcium and iron than regular
infant formula. After your baby is 6 months of age, he
should be able to get enough of these nutrients from
the solid foods he is eating. If your baby is doing well
on “starter” formula, it is OK to keep using that one
throughout the first year. If your baby is not eating
well, you might ask your health care provider if you
should change to a follow-up type formula. It is up to
you as a parent whether you give this type of formula
or not.
How do I know if my baby has had an allergic reaction to the formula?
Babies who have a parent, brother, or sister with any
type of food or environmental allergy are most at risk
of having an allergic reaction to formula.
Signs of an allergic reaction include:
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Blood in stool
- Hives or rash
- Swelling of eyes, face, lips, tongue, hands, or feet
- Difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, or runny nose
- Shock of complete collapse (anaphylaxis)
If one or both parents or a sibling has any allergies, and
if your baby is formula fed, you can still try a cow’s
milk based formula. If your baby is formula fed and
having allergic reactions as diagnosed by a doctor, then
a hypoallergenic formula may be needed.
What if I am going away from home?
- If formula will not be consumed within two hours
from being prepared, they should be refrigerated
until cold before being transported.
- Prepare formula and place in the refrigerator.
When the formula is cold, remove from the
refrigerator and transport immediately to its
destination. The formula can then be stored in a
refrigerator at the destination and used within 24
hours from when it was first prepared, or it can be
warmed up and fed to baby.
- If the journey time takes more than 30 minutes,
the cold formula should be transported under
refrigeration or in a cooler or thermal lunch bag
with an ice pack. It is important to keep prepared
formula cold until it is time for feeding it to baby.
It is not safe to carry prepared formula bottles out
of the home if they are not kept cold.
- If using powdered formula, keep the dry powder
and water separate to prevent the growth of
germs, then mix together just before feeding your
baby.
Where Can I Get More Information?
Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit
458 Laurier Blvd.
Brockville, ON K6V 7A3
Phone numbers:
Brockville Office - 613-345-5685
Smiths Falls Office - 613-283-2740
Kemptville Office - 613-258-5941
Gananoque Office - 613-382-4231
Health ACTION Line (toll free) - 1-800-660-5853
LGL Health Unit - Babies & Children Website |