Formula-feeding

Is it alright to re-warm prepared formula?

No. Re-warming formula increases the probability of bacteria development in the formula as it cools off after heating. Bacteria can be present in powder, in bottles, on your hands, or even introduced in various ways during formula preparation. Follow the safest methodology when feeding your baby.

How should I warm my baby's formula?

If you need to warm a bottle that has been in the refrigerator, run warm tap water over the bottle or place the bottle in a pan of hot (not boiling) water. Try not submerge the bottle nipple or collar in the water. Shake bottle occasionally while warming. Warming time should be less than 15 minutes. Test the formula temperature before feeding; it should not feel warm or cold when dropped on your wrist - neutral is close to body temperature.

Once a bottle has been warmed, keep it for no more than one hour. Then dispose it.

Do not warm a formula in a microwave. A microwave can overheat the product or cause hot spots and result in serious burns to your baby. In addition, microwave use may cause your baby's bottles and/or plastic liners to explode or burst during heating or after they are removed from the microwave.

Why are storage directions different for your liquid and powder formulas?

Liquid formulas are commercially sterile and, once opened, can be refrigerated at 35-40 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 48 hours. Powdered formulas, however, cannot withstand the high temperatures required to make them commercially sterile. In order to maintain high quality, infant formula prepared from powder should be refrigerated and used within 24 hours.

Why is prepared milk powder formula lighter in colour than the ready-to-feed and concentrated liquids?

Once blended, the powdered milk formulas are white in colour and thinner in consistency, while the liquid formulas are slightly darker (beige or grayish) and thicker. This difference is an aftereffect of the way liquids and powders are produced. The cause is heat. In particular, how it's applied to the liquids during manufacturing as part of the sterilization procedure. For premature infants or infants with immune problems, ready-to-use infant formulas should be utilized over powdered ones because liquid varieties can be made commercially sterile. All types of our formulas offer the same nourishment for your baby.

How do I feed my baby a bottle?

Figuring out how to feed a baby just takes a little time and practice. Begin by making yourself calm and comfortable. Hold your baby on your lap with his head resting in the bend of your arm. Keep him in a semi-seated position, with his head slightly higher than his tummy. Tilt the bottle so that the nipple remains full. That way, your baby won't swallow air. Stroke the nipple against his lower lip or cheek. That should make him open his mouth. And remember to give your baby a chance to burp during and right after his nourishing.

How do I store my baby's formula and what are the steps for feeding time?

Once prepared, milk powder formulas can be kept in the refrigerator (35-40° F or 2-4° C), covered, for up to 24 hours and milk liquid formulas up to 48 hours. A prepared bottle can be kept at room temperature for up to a total of two hours. If you choose to warm the bottle, warming time should be under 15 minutes and the bottle should be fed to your baby within one hour. Once your baby begins feeding from the bottle, dispose any formula left in the bottle within 60 minutes.

I hear so much about the advantages of breastfeeding. But what about formula-feeding?

Formula not only meets your baby's essential nutrition requirements, it additionally provides the nutrients your baby needs for his growth and development. Formula-feeding likewise allows Dad and other family members or friends to feed and bond with your baby, and for Mom to have a little break. And some parents just feel more comfortable with formula-feeding.

How much formula should I feed my baby?

In the initial few weeks, your baby may drink anywhere from 2-3 fluid ounces of formula about every three hours. In general, your baby will take in what he/she needs to meet his body's demands. So don't be too concerned about fixed amounts. Instead, feed him when he's/she's hungry. He'll let you know when he's finished. If he drinks a bottle and still acts hungry, he/she most likely is. Offer him/her an additional ounce. Most babies do fine with 3-4 fluid ounces per feeding during the first couple months. Increase by about 1 ounce a month until he is drinking up to about 6-8 fluid ounces at 6 months of age.

What temperature water should I use to prepare formula from powder or concentrated liquid?

Blend our concentrated liquid or powder formula with cool water (35-75° F); it should feel cool on your wrist. If you prefer, you may mix with warm water but only if you plan to feed or refrigerate the formula immediately. Warm water is about 100° F or body temperature; it should feel neutral (neither warm nor cool) on your wrist.

How frequently should I feed my baby?

Try not to set a strict baby feeding schedule, instead breastfeed your baby as often as he wants at least 8-12 times every 24 hours during the first few weeks. You'll know how you're doing by how much weight he's gaining.

Milk Supply

To establish a good milk supply, you need to feed your baby frequently (8-12 times per day) in the first few weeks. Keeping up the frequency of feedings will keep telling your body to produce milk. Tips: Ask yourself these questions to figure out if your milk supply is sufficient: Is my baby putting on weight? Does he gulp and swallow when he feeds? Does he wet his diaper 6+ times and have at least one bowel movement per day?

A few Issues That May Affect Your Baby

Food Sensitivities

The things you eat and drink affect your breast milk and ultimately your baby. Some babies have food sensitivities or allergies that bring on colic-like symptoms like crying, fussing, frequent nursing, and stomach discomfort. Tip: Lay off the spicy foods or gassy foods like cabbage, garlic, onions, broccoli, and caffeine. If removing the food item doesn't stop the symptoms, consult your baby's doctor about the possibility of colic.

Nipple Confusion

Bottles and pacifiers feel different to your baby than a breast does. Introducing these things can confuse him and make him not desire to nurse.
Tip: Be sure that breastfeeding is well established before offering a pacifier, or bottle-feeding him.

Sucking Difficulties

Some babies do better with breastfeeding than others. An excited or hungry infant might be so eager that he doesn't latch on well. Or your baby might be satisfied by getting just a taste of milk and afterward stop nursing.
Tips: If your baby is a “sipper,” try to keep him interested by singing or rubbing his back. Massaging your breast may help with milk flow. For additional breastfeeding questions, talk to your doctor or lactation consultant.

Do you have a formula to help my fastidious baby?

Our formula milk is designed as a first switch formula for babies with fussiness, gas or crying and paediatricians recommend it 2:1 over sensitive formula milk.*
*Of paediatricians that recommend a specific brand of formula.

How do I know if I should utilize powder or liquid formula for my baby?

Many of our products are available in different forms to fit individual needs and preferences and most infants and toddlers can use the product forms reciprocally. When prepared according to label directions, all forms (powder or liquid) of the same product will provide the same nutrition to meet a child’s needs. We offer our ready-to-use liquid formulas in convenient sizes. Our 2 fluid ounce bottles are wonderful for late night feedings, while several of our formulas come in re-sealable 8 fluid ounce Ready-to-Use plastic bottles which are terrific for when running errands or traveling.

What is the most convenient way to travel with my baby's formula?

Formula milk gives you lots of extraordinary feeding options for when you're on the go with your baby: Formula milk ready-to-use bottles: Just attach any clean, standard-size nipple to a bottle and you're ready to feed. Formula milk Single-Serve Powder Packets: The powdered formula is pre-measured, making it especially easy to mix. Any formula milk powder is convenient for travel. Simply pre-fill your bottles with water and carry the powder separately. When you're ready to feed your baby, just combine the powder and water, cap the bottle and shake well.

Nutrients And Ingredients

Do all formulas contain whole proteins?

The most popular routine infant formulas contain whole (intact) proteins, similar to breast milk. Formulas designed for mild intolerances, such as fussiness or gas, have the proteins partially broken down. These formulas are known as partially hydrolysed and are not appropriate for babies with food protein allergies. There are also specialized formulas for infants with allergy symptoms who need an extensively hydrolysed formula (the protein chains are broken down even further).

Can too much vitamin A be a bad thing?

Yes. Your body requires some, but too much can be toxic. The Institute of Medicine recommends that you get 770 mcg of vitamin A per day while pregnant and has established a tolerable upper intake level of 3000 mcg per day. However, rest assured that your balanced diet and daily multivitamin supplement is not likely to give you more vitamin A than you need. Ask your doctor if you're concerned.

What do babies require Iron for?

Iron is an important nutrient, regardless how old you are. Iron is a fundamental part of haemoglobin, which is the primary transporter of oxygen in the red blood cell. Iron is important for psychomotor and mental development in infants and children.

How can my infant or toddler get DHA and ARA?

Pregnant and breastfeeding moms should be getting 1.3-1.4 g of alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid, per day to support your baby's needs. Your baby gets DHA and ARA in utero from you. After birth, DHA and ARA are found in breast milk and in infant formula like milk formulas. Formula milk has a blend of DHA and ARA, important nutrients that support brain and eye development.

What are DHA and ARA? What do they do?

DHA is the scientific abbreviation for docosahexaenoic acid. ARA stands for arachidonic acid. Both of these fatty acids are building blocks for your baby's brain and eyes. It's important that your growing baby has DHA to help support his brain and eye development and immune system both in the womb and out.

Why does my infant need Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is needed to help your baby develop strong bones. Sunlight is the usual source of vitamin D production in the skin. However, the Academy of Paediatrics recommends that babies under 6 months avoid direct exposure to the sun, and that they instead receive vitamin D either through formula or, if they are breast fed, through vitamin supplements. Newborns may consume less formula the first three months of life… that’s why formula milk for newborns has a tailored level of vitamin D to ensure that your newborn gets the recommended daily amount, having 400 IU of vitamin D in 27 fl oz. Infant formulas deliver the expert recommended vitamin D for each stage, based on the amount of formula newborns and infants consume daily, so you can feel confident that your baby is getting the nutrients he needs for healthy growth and development.

Did you recently add Choline to your formulas?

Choline has always been in our infant and toddler formulas. Choline helps support a baby’s rapid brain growth and development which occur in the first two years of life. Like DHA and ARA, choline is a building block for baby’s brain.

What is choline?

Choline is another nutrient found in breast milk that helps support a baby's brain development. The body uses it in cell membranes, and to help some cells communicate with each other. Choline also helps the body use fat, and control its muscles.

What exactly is an intact protein?

Intact proteins are proteins that aren't broken down yet. Breast milk has intact whey and casein proteins in it. So do most formulas. If you are formula-feeding, the Academy of Paediatrics recommends starting with a standard cow's milk-based formula. If your baby has tolerance issues, she may benefit from a formula with decreased lactose and partially broken-down proteins, or extensively broken-down proteins.

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