Tips for Bottle-feeding
Cow’s milk is not an acceptable alternative to breast milk because babies cannot fully digest cow’s milk. Feed your baby formula. Be sure to talk with your pediatrician before choosing a formula because there are several types to choose from.
*
Milk-based formula – This is the most commonly sold kind of formula and about 80 percent of formula-fed infants drink it. The base is cow’s milk, but it has been altered in such a way that makes it safe and easily digestible for infants. Most milk-based formulas are fortified with iron.
*
Soy-based formulas – Some babies have milk allergies or are not able to digest lactose, which is found in milk-based formulas. When this happens, pediatricians often recommend feeding a formula with a soy base instead of the more commonly used milk-based formula.
*
Specialized formulas – Sometimes babies who are premature or are born with a metabolic disorder or disease require a specialized formula designed for their needs.
Most babies are content with formula that is at room temperature. If your baby prefers warmed-up formula, heat the bottle (with the formula already in it) by running it under hot water from the faucet. This way you can ensure the liquid is not too hot and you can frequently check the temperature by shaking some formula on your wrist. Don’t microwave formula because the liquid heats unevenly. Even though the bottle may be cool to your touch, the formula inside may be hot enough to burn your baby’s mouth and throat.