Exclusive breastfeeding is the recommended way to feed your newborn baby. However, this is not always possible, so you may need to seek other sources of nutrition for your baby. A good way to supplement breast milk is with formula to aid your baby’s growth and development.
Starting Your Baby On Formula
Sometimes your child may not be getting enough nutrition from breast milk. This might be because they are not taking in enough milk especially in the first few days after birth. There are different reasons your child may not be getting enough breast milk. Your child might be unwell, too small, or not latching properly.
If you are not producing enough breast milk, consult your doctor on how to increase your output. If you still can’t produce enough milk, you should know how and when to start giving formula to your baby.
How to start. If you are starting your child on formula because you are not producing enough breast milk, you can switch to bottle-feeding or a supplemental nursing system. Start by nursing and then give your child the pumped milk. After that, you can use the formula to make up for the difference.
How to prepare formula. Here are steps you should follow while preparing your baby's formula:
- Make sure your hands are clean. You should always wash your hands before handling your baby's bottles.
- Clean the baby's bottle. Make sure the bottle is well cleaned and sanitized before use.
- There is no need for warming. Baby formula does not need to be warmed. However, if you do decide to, warm the bottle by placing it in warm water. Heating with a microwave leaves hot spots in the milk or formula that could burn your baby's mouth or throat.
- Mix the baby formula. Use clean, safe water when mixing powder baby formula. Remember to check the instructions on how much water you should use.
It is generally advised not to mix formula with breast milk. This lets you avoid wasting formula in case your child does not finish taking all the milk. Research has found that mixing breast milk with formula may affect your child’s protein intake and retention of zinc, calcium, and phosphorus. You can prevent this by alternating instead of mixing breast milk and formula.
However, if your baby refuses to take the formula, you can try mixing a little pumped breast milk with the formula. This may help your baby to get used to the new taste before you go back to alternating.
Stool changes with formula. A child’s digestive system is quite delicate. After starting your child on formula, you may notice some change in their stool. They will generally produce stools of different color, of different consistency, and at a different frequency. You should consult with your doctor if your baby starts having trouble pooping.
Types of Baby Formula
Types of baby formula you can use. There are many different types of baby formula you can use to supplement breast milk. They include:
- Cow’s milk-based formula, which is the first type of formula you should give your baby after birth.
- Lactose-free formula, which is made for babies with lactose intolerance and should only be given under medical supervision.
- Anti-reflux formula, which is made thicker to prevent reflux in babies. It can be given from birth but under medical supervision.
- Hypoallergenic formula, which is for babies allergic to cow’s milk. It is given only if prescribed and under medical supervision.
- Soy formula, which is made from soybeans and may be used by babies allergic to cow’s milk. It should only be given to babies over six months old and under medical supervision.
There are different types of formulas and different ways to give them. Talk to your doctor about what formula is best for your baby.
Types of milk you should never give a baby. Not every type of milk is good for babies. Feeding your baby with the wrong kind of milk can cause major health issues for your child. While many formulas are milk-based, straight milk is not usually good for young babies. Don’t give babies under one year of age:
- Dried milk
- Condensed milk
- Goat’s milk (except in cooking)
- Cow's milk (except in cooking)
Take Away for Supplementing With Formula
The amount of breast milk you produce may be affected when you start giving your baby formula. Your baby may also stop breastfeeding or breastfeed less after getting used to the bottle. This mostly happens during the first week of breastfeeding. If possible, introduce your baby to bottle feeding when they are a little older to avoid affecting your breast milk production.
