Bottle Feeding

PROS TO BOTTLE FEEDING

• Bottlefeeding is convenient and can be done anywhere at anytime.
• Babies generally stay fuller longer since formula digest slower than breastmilk.
• Convenient for working mothers.
• Both partners and other family members/friends can help feed the baby.
• Mom does not have to watch her diet.

CONS TO BOTTLE FEEDING

• Formula is expensive and you will have to have a lot of it.
• Formula must be prepared before your baby can eat.
• Bottles have to be cleaned and sanitized.
• Although formula companies have added similar vitamins and nutrients, nothing compares to the quality of human breastmilk.
• Because formula is harder to digest, your baby may experience gas and reflux.
• Babies may become constipated easier.

PREPARING FORMULA

Make sure that your hands are clean and that all bottles, nipples and rings have been sterlized before using them. For powdered formula, open the can of formula and add 1 level scoop of formula for every 2 ounces of water. If your baby prefers warm or hot water, heat the water before adding to the bottle. Microwaves heat unevenly and you should never heat a bottle in there. Shake the bottle well and test the temperature on the inside of your wrist before giving the bottle to your baby. Ready to use formula does not require any additional water. Simply screw on the ring and nipple and warm if necessary. For canned formula, open the can with a clean can punch and mix according to the directions on the label.

NEVER heat your baby's bottle in the microwave. Doing so can cause uneven heating and create hot pockets that can burn your child. Place the bottle in a bottle warmer or in a pot of boiling water until it is the desired temperature. You can also heat the water separately and then pour it into the bottle. Always shake the bottle and test the temperature before giving to your baby.

While it is best to prepare formula as your baby needs it, formula can be prepared ahead of time if you need to. Formula can be prepared in clean bottles and placed in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Once the bottle has come out of the refrigerator, it should be used within an hour and then discarded. Opened cans of formula must be covered and placed in the refrigerator for no more than 48 hours. Powedered formula has a 'use by date' stamped on the can and should be observed. Do not freeze formula.

Comments: Bottle Feeding

Comments 26 to 49 of about 80.
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heather12 - 139 days ago.
To me that sounds like you may be over feeding him. What is he doing that makes you think that he is needing to eat every hour? Maybe you could try swaddling, pacifer, rocking, other things besides giving him another bottle. I breastfed my last baby but formula fed my other daughters. My second baby had colic really bad and at first I thought she was hungry all the time so I would give her another bottle when really i was over feeding her.

xchaz22x - 140 days ago.
hi ladies just a quick question my newborn baby boy is 10 days old he weighed 6pounds 8ozs when he were born its my first baby and is having 3ozs of formula milk every hour and sometimes he mite go to 2hours if i am lucky is this normal for him to have 3ozs and specially when he goes only an hour???? any advice suggetions would be great thanks

4thonitsway - 155 days ago.
if the state she is in has a contract with any formula besides carnation shell have a fight to get wic to give her carnation, the doc will have to fill out a form on why to switch to carnation and constipation isnt'a medical reason to change formulas' I had this fight many times back in texas, but florida has a contract with carnation so I have no probs here, just depends on the state

jenim24 - 155 days ago.
yay!!! Word of mouth from other mommies is the best advice I've ever gotten! Tell her to see if she qualifies for WIC though (stands for women infant and children) there's a website for each state with the income limits.

Heather12 - 157 days ago.
I got a call from my friend yesterday and she says that she bought the carnation good start and already she can tell a difference. He is finally has normal soft stools and is pooping every day. Thank you guys so much. She didn't comment on his fussiness but I'm sure now that his lttle belly isn't hurting so bad he is happier. I will tell her about the website so that she can get some coupons.

4thonitsway - 160 days ago.
yes carnation costs more, but you can get coupons fot it thru verybestbaby.com and depending on your state u can get it thru wic

heather12 - 160 days ago.
Right now she is using the Parents Choice soy formula. I looked at Walmart and Carnation good Start is way more expensive. I told her about everything you guys have said so I really hope that she tries something.

jenim24 - 162 days ago.
also.. SOY is VERY VERY Constipating!!!!!

jenim24 - 162 days ago.
My son is now 13 months and my story is on my page of what I went through but.... Carnation Good Start is very gentle on the babies bellies!!! Also Gripe Water (found in the baby section) was a godsend. My boss and other coworkers told me about it and it really helps with belly issues and it calms them down. So you can use it for colic, or gas, etc... You can get it at just about any pharmacy and its not expensive! Good luck moms!

Heather12 - 170 days ago.
Okay I will tell her. Thanks guys!

sarahlarahastro - 171 days ago.
have her check the label on the formula she uses... sometimes babies have tummy probs when their formula has too much iron in it. for instance, many of the popular brands offer 1.8% iron which doesn't seem like much, but reducing it to 1.0%-1.3% can really help alleviate the problem. i know that nestle good start has a lower amount of iron in it, and thus far... i know many mothers who would highly recommend it. happier baby, less smelly stools and they just guzzle it up! good luck to your friend!

4thonitsway - 171 days ago.
tell your friend to try carnation formula, my daughter had the same problems till my wic lady suggested carnation and it worked

Heather12 - 171 days ago.
I am asking this question for a friend. She has a 3 month old who is on formula. He is fussy all the time and cries often. She also says that he is very gassy. He will go days without pooping and she has to put karo syrup in every bottle. I have tried telling her she needs to take him to the dr but she hasn't. She switched his formula to soy but says that it has only helped a little. Does anybody have any suggestions? I just feel sorry for the baby. To me he seems so fussy like his little belly hurts all the time.

babyl - 196 days ago.
I need help! My little girl has been projectile spitting up with diarrhea. I took her to the dr last Tuesday and the dr told me to try her on Enfamil Prosobee Lipil. She is 12 weeks. I stopped BF after 5 weeks due to starting work. I got a note from daycare Friday saying she fought them all day on feeding and just slept all day. So yesterday and today, we are trying her out on Enfamil Gentlease. She apparently has a lactose digestion issue. Has anyone else had such a problem finding a formula that fits?

RobinG - 199 days ago.
What stage nipple are you using? Sometimes that will cause a baby to stop drinking even if they are still hungry. You should be on at least a stage 2 ~ Some babies drink more then others some less so as long as she is gaining and not fussy because she is still hungry after eating I'd say she is fine ~ 4-6 oz at 5 months is fine :)

dylinsmommy - 199 days ago.
My daughter is almost 5 months and is still eating 4 oz every 2 hours!! i breast feed in between sometime also but i have a serious lack of milk so it's not much. I also give her baby food every couple days. She also has a bad spit up problem which the Dr. said is normal, so im wondering if that can be the case. Also our roommates baby (my cousins) eats like this also except he'll down two 4 oz bottles an hour and a half apart. btw they are 9 days apart. i've tried giving her 6 but she'll refuse any more than 4 oz any one else have this issue. i have an appointment scheduled. im just wondering what other people's baby's ate it this age.. sorry so long.

iamjustmeforme - 209 days ago.
Has anyone noticed a decrease in their milk supply?!?! I am breastfeeding ONLY and was producing quite a bit of milk!! I was freezing and feeding like crazy! Now all of a sudden my breast feel empty most of the time. I mean, I am still breastfeeding her, but they dont have that FULL feeling any more... Any ideas?!? I started on the mini pill a week ago, but I was told that would not do anything to my production! If you have noticed a decrease, can you please send me a message, I need some help! How do I get it back up?!?!

AshtonsMommy - 238 days ago.
Is anyone using an organic formula they really like? Please reply on my page with some feedback on the brand you use. Thanks!

peanutrocks - 239 days ago.
RobinG Thank you so much for the reply...have offered her a soother but it is defo milk she is looking for.....glad to here it is a growth spurt..... was worried about my lil princess. Thanks again for your reply. x

RobinG - 240 days ago.
(()) Growth spurt and she is ready for more :) They dont always last but when they happen they drink very often then slow down again when it is over. Have you offered a pacifier, she may just want to suck so I'd try that too :) If the paci doesnt work then it is def a growth spurt and normal :)

peanutrocks - 240 days ago.
Hi Ladies, hope you are all well....question for you...... My lil princess Ava is 9 days old today and she has been taking 3 ounces every 3 - 3.5 hours...until today. Today she just doesnt seem to be satisfied, she has been constantly feeding every hour or so....She had a full 3 ounces at about 6pm then by 7.30 she was rooting again and took another 1.5 ounces and then again at 8.30....anybody got any insight as to why this would be? Im a first time mom and worried about every little thing...... Your advice is much appreciated xx

RobinG - 248 days ago.
Def sounds like he is ready for the next stage nipple, my sons went to stage 2 at 2-3 weeks. I would try it and see how it goes :) (()) As far as the chart, it is just a chart of averages, no baby is the same so if you go to the next stage and he still eats 2-3 hours it is def fine :)

happyhayley - 248 days ago.
My baby boy eats every 2 to 3 hours and is now 2 months old. By the chart below he should be going 3-4 hours but usually he only makes it to 2. He takes lots of breaks when eating as well. And doesnt ever finish the whole bottle. Feedings take from 1/2 an hour to an hour. Should I be switching him to bigger nipples?

RobinG - 252 days ago.
At 8 1/2 months she is far to young to have to worry about bottle rott yet ~ that happens to kids (although there is an exception to every rule) much older ~ I worked in the dental field for 9 years at a periodontist and it was seen with kids over 1.5 years who had them often AND without brushing. Not those like your LO who esp has her teeth brushed (()) I personally wouldnt stop yet ~

MommytoNatalie - 253 days ago.
Thanks. I hate to cut the formula out at night. But I am worried about bottle rott. she is only 8 1/2 months old and has 6 teeth. I brush them every morning and night. But she won't go to sleep for anything except her bottle. I feel like I would be a terrible Mom if I continued to let her go to sleep on it.

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