FEEDING
Breast milk or formula is the only food your baby will need for the first six months of life. Water, sugar-water, juice, and electrolyte drinks (for example, Pedialyte) are not needed—don’t give them unless you are instructed to do so by your doctor. Cow’s milk or goat’s milk should also not be fed to a baby younger than one year of age. These milks are high in protein and salt, and are harder for babies to digest. In addition, these milks do not contain many of the important vitamins and minerals your baby needs. They are especially low in folic acid and vitamin B12, two nutrients that help prevent anemia and iron deficiency.
Preparing formula If you feed your baby formula, keep in mind that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using iron-fortified formula. Always carefully follow the preparation instructions for the formula you give to your baby. For example, never try to “stretch” formula by adding more water. To reduce waste, prepare only the amount of formula your baby usually takes in one feeding. Throw away any formula left in the bottle after each feeding. As your baby gets older, she will gradually take larger amounts of formula
TYPES OF FORMULA Formulas are available in the following forms:
■ Ready-to-feed formula: This type of formula does not require water to be added. It comes in multiple or single-serving cans, or in ready-to-use baby bottles. It’s convenient, but it’s also the most expensive type of formula available.
■ Concentrated liquid: This type of formula is packaged with an “add water” symbol on the label. To use it, follow the instructions provided on the label.
■ Powdered formula: Powdered formula also has an “add water” symbol on the label. Always follow the instructions for formula preparation and storage provided on the label. This is the least expensive type of formula, and it can be easily stored and transported.
Cleaning your baby’s bottles Wash your bottles with hot, soapy water and rinse well. Check bottle nipples for tears or cracks, stickiness, or enlargement. If any of these occur, throw the nipple away. Rinse bottles before putting them in the dishwasher.
WARMING FORMULA You should never microwave formula. The microwave heats formula unevenly, causing hot spots that may burn the baby’s mouth. This may occur even if the bottle feels warm to the touch. It is best to warm formula under a warm faucet, in a pan of warm water, or in a bottle warmer.
PACIFIERS If you choose to use a pacifier, follow these simple guidelines.
■ Keep the pacifier clean.
■ Do not tie a pacifier around your baby’s neck. Your baby could strangle.
■ If the pacifier becomes torn, cracked, sticky, enlarged, or shows other signs of wear, replace it immediately.
■ Use only store-bought pacifiers.
How much formula does your baby need? The table below shows the approximate number of feedings per day—and number of ounces per feeding—for babies of different ages. Remember that every baby is unique. If your child’s feeding schedule varies greatly from this, talk to your doctor.
Age Approximate number Approximate number
of feedings per day ounces per feeding
0-1 months on demand, 6-8 feedings 2-5 ounces each
1-2 months 5-7 feedings 3-6 ounces each
2-3 months 4-7 feedings 4-7 ounces each
3-4 months 4-6 feedings 6-8 ounces each
SPITTING UP AND VOMITING Most babies spit up after eating, especially at first. There is a difference between spitting up and vomiting. Spitting up is like “spilling over” and is usually not a cause for worry. Your baby will outgrow this. Vomiting is when a large amount of milk is returned forcibly. Some babies vomit occasionally. If vomiting continues, consult your baby’s doctor.
Positioning your baby Your baby should be in a semi-sitting position to eat. This helps keep air from entering his stomach. Never prop a bottle for feeding. To avoid choking and to promote bonding, hold your baby while you feed him. Your baby should never be left with a bottle while sleeping, as this promotes tooth decay.
Burping your baby When babies eat, they may swallow air, especially when drinking from a bottle. Not all babies have to burp, so if your baby doesn’t burp, he probably doesn’t need to. As your baby gets older, you won’t need to burp him as often.
To help make your baby more comfortable:
■ When formula feeding your baby, burp him midway through and at the end of the feeding. In the beginning, this would be after every half-ounce. Keep the nipple full of formula throughout the feeding to decrease the amount of air your baby swallows.
■ When breastfeeding, burp your baby when you switch breasts, and after each feeding. Breastfed babies take in less air, so your breastfed baby may not need to be burped.
Here are effective burping positions:
OVER YOUR SHOULDER. Hold your baby against your chest with his head supported on your shoulder. Gently pat his back with your hand.
ACROSS YOUR LAP. Lay your baby face down across your legs/knees, making sure the head is supported. Gently rub or pat your baby’s back.
SITTING ON YOUR LAP. Sit your baby on your lap. Support his chin with one hand. Lean your baby forward and pat his back.
Breast milk or formula is the only food your baby will need for the first six months of life. Water, sugar-water, juice, and electrolyte drinks (for example, Pedialyte) are not needed—don’t give them unless you are instructed to do so by your doctor. Cow’s milk or goat’s milk should also not be fed to a baby younger than one year of age. These milks are high in protein and salt, and are harder for babies to digest. In addition, these milks do not contain many of the important vitamins and minerals your baby needs. They are especially low in folic acid and vitamin B12, two nutrients that help prevent anemia and iron deficiency.
Preparing formula If you feed your baby formula, keep in mind that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using iron-fortified formula. Always carefully follow the preparation instructions for the formula you give to your baby. For example, never try to “stretch” formula by adding more water. To reduce waste, prepare only the amount of formula your baby usually takes in one feeding. Throw away any formula left in the bottle after each feeding. As your baby gets older, she will gradually take larger amounts of formula
TYPES OF FORMULA Formulas are available in the following forms:
■ Ready-to-feed formula: This type of formula does not require water to be added. It comes in multiple or single-serving cans, or in ready-to-use baby bottles. It’s convenient, but it’s also the most expensive type of formula available.
■ Concentrated liquid: This type of formula is packaged with an “add water” symbol on the label. To use it, follow the instructions provided on the label.
■ Powdered formula: Powdered formula also has an “add water” symbol on the label. Always follow the instructions for formula preparation and storage provided on the label. This is the least expensive type of formula, and it can be easily stored and transported.
Cleaning your baby’s bottles Wash your bottles with hot, soapy water and rinse well. Check bottle nipples for tears or cracks, stickiness, or enlargement. If any of these occur, throw the nipple away. Rinse bottles before putting them in the dishwasher.
WARMING FORMULA You should never microwave formula. The microwave heats formula unevenly, causing hot spots that may burn the baby’s mouth. This may occur even if the bottle feels warm to the touch. It is best to warm formula under a warm faucet, in a pan of warm water, or in a bottle warmer.
PACIFIERS If you choose to use a pacifier, follow these simple guidelines.
■ Keep the pacifier clean.
■ Do not tie a pacifier around your baby’s neck. Your baby could strangle.
■ If the pacifier becomes torn, cracked, sticky, enlarged, or shows other signs of wear, replace it immediately.
■ Use only store-bought pacifiers.
How much formula does your baby need? The table below shows the approximate number of feedings per day—and number of ounces per feeding—for babies of different ages. Remember that every baby is unique. If your child’s feeding schedule varies greatly from this, talk to your doctor.
Age Approximate number Approximate number
of feedings per day ounces per feeding
0-1 months on demand, 6-8 feedings 2-5 ounces each
1-2 months 5-7 feedings 3-6 ounces each
2-3 months 4-7 feedings 4-7 ounces each
3-4 months 4-6 feedings 6-8 ounces each
SPITTING UP AND VOMITING Most babies spit up after eating, especially at first. There is a difference between spitting up and vomiting. Spitting up is like “spilling over” and is usually not a cause for worry. Your baby will outgrow this. Vomiting is when a large amount of milk is returned forcibly. Some babies vomit occasionally. If vomiting continues, consult your baby’s doctor.
Positioning your baby Your baby should be in a semi-sitting position to eat. This helps keep air from entering his stomach. Never prop a bottle for feeding. To avoid choking and to promote bonding, hold your baby while you feed him. Your baby should never be left with a bottle while sleeping, as this promotes tooth decay.
Burping your baby When babies eat, they may swallow air, especially when drinking from a bottle. Not all babies have to burp, so if your baby doesn’t burp, he probably doesn’t need to. As your baby gets older, you won’t need to burp him as often.
To help make your baby more comfortable:
■ When formula feeding your baby, burp him midway through and at the end of the feeding. In the beginning, this would be after every half-ounce. Keep the nipple full of formula throughout the feeding to decrease the amount of air your baby swallows.
■ When breastfeeding, burp your baby when you switch breasts, and after each feeding. Breastfed babies take in less air, so your breastfed baby may not need to be burped.
Here are effective burping positions:
OVER YOUR SHOULDER. Hold your baby against your chest with his head supported on your shoulder. Gently pat his back with your hand.
ACROSS YOUR LAP. Lay your baby face down across your legs/knees, making sure the head is supported. Gently rub or pat your baby’s back.
SITTING ON YOUR LAP. Sit your baby on your lap. Support his chin with one hand. Lean your baby forward and pat his back.
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