Essential Tips for Feeding Your Infant

Although most babies do well on milk-based formulas, there are some who are allergic or intolerant to it. Signs that a baby isn't tolerating the formula include crying after feeding, vomiting, persistent diarrhea, colic with a distended abdomen or irritability and frequent night waking. If your baby has difficulty digesting a milk-based formula, your health care provider may recommend a soy-based or a lactose-free milk-based formula.

Mothers who formula-feed also need to choose the proper bottle. This may require experimenting with bottles of various sizes and materials (glass or plastic) and with nipples to find the right combination. When combining breastfeeding with formula feeding, many mothers are successful with a nipple that closely replicates the breast.

How to safely purchase and prepare formula
It is important to buy infant formula only from reputable retailers or directly from the manufacturer. Never buy cans of formula with dents, bulges, puffed ends, leaks or rusty spots. Also, check the formula's "use by" date on the lid or the label and only purchase formula that is not past this date. Store unopened cans in a cool, dry, indoor location.

Begin formula preparation by boiling new bottles and nipples for five minutes before using them for the first time. For subsequent use, wash bottles, nipples, caps, rings and preparation utensils in hot soapy water. Always rinse thoroughly before using.

When preparing formula that must be reconstituted (powdered or liquid concentrate), follow the directions on the packaging unless otherwise instructed by your health care provider. Adding too little water can burden the baby's kidneys and digestive system and result in dehydration. Too much water may interfere with proper growth, since overly diluted formula would not contain adequate calories and nutrients.

If a baby prefers a warm bottle, it can be heated immediately before feeding by holding it under warm running water. The formula's temperature should always be tested by squirting a couple of drops onto your wrist or the back of your hand. Never use a microwave to heat bottles because microwaves heat bottles unevenly and risk burning the baby's mouth. Also, some covered bottles can explode when heated in a microwave.