Infant Formula

Infant formula is an artificial substitute for human breast milk, intended for infant consumption. The first preparations for the feeding of infants were produced commercially in 1867 by Justus von Liebig. Today, most infant formulas are based on either cow milk or soy milk. Some formulas, for infants with special dietary needs, are highly modified and may contain neither cow milk nor soy. An upswing in breastfeeding has been accompanied by a deferment in the average age of introduction of other foods (such as cow's milk), resulting in increased use of both breastfeeding and infant formula between the ages of 3–12 months.[1]

Do infants fed infant formulas need to take additional vitamins and minerals?

Infants fed infant formulas do not need additional nutrients unless a low-iron formula is fed. If infants are fed a low-iron formula, a health care professional may recommend a supplemental source of iron, particularly after 4 months of age.

FDA's nutrient specifications for infant formulas are set at levels to meet the nutritional needs of infants. In addition, manufacturers set nutrient levels for their label claims that are generally above the FDA minimum specifications and they add nutrients at levels that will ensure that their formulas meet their label claims over the entire shelf-life of the product.[2]

How to Coose a formula

Your family doctor will usually recommend a formula made from cow's milk. Some formulas are iron-fortified (which means they have extra iron in them). Some formulas have very little iron or none at all. Most doctors recommend using an iron-fortified formula. Remember that regular cow's milk is not the same as infant formula made from cow's milk. Some formulas are made of soy milk instead of cow's milk. If your baby seems to be allergic to formula made from cow's milk, your doctor may suggest using a soy-milk formula. Use infant formula for the first year. Babies aren't ready for regular cow's milk until about the time of their first birthday.[3]


Warming bottles

You can probably feed your baby a bottle without warming it first. It is okay for the formula to be cool or room temperature. If your baby seems to prefer warm formula, you can put the filled bottle in a container of warm water and let it stand for a few minutes. Check the temperature of the formula on your skin before feeding it to your baby, to be sure it isn't too hot. The formula should only be lukewarm.

Do not heat bottles in the microwave. Microwaves heat foods and liquids unevenly, and this can cause hot spots in the formula that can burn your baby.[4]


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Notes:

[1] Wikipedia.org
[2] keepkidshealthy.com
[3] familydoctor.org
[4] ibid

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I am a 288 days / 9 months, 2 weeks & 3 days old baby