Many parents choose or need to formula feed their baby. Even though most pediatricians agree breast milk is best for infants under one year of age, parents who are required to or feel more comfortable formula feeding should not feel guilty.

Reasons a parent may choose or need to formula feed include:

1. The mother does not wish to breast feed due to personal choice or even pain caused by breast feeding.
2. The baby and/or mother is unable to breastfeed due to medical issues.
3. The mother wishes to supplement her breast milk with formula, combine both methods or wean before the baby is ready to transition to cow’s milk.
4. The baby is adopted and the mother has no breast milk.
5. Personal reasons such as employment prevent the mother from breast feeding.http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Bottle_feeding_with_formula

Regardless of the reason a parent or parents choose to formula feed, the most important thing in a baby’s life is love and compassion. A baby that is not breast fed or exclusively breast fed can be just as healthy and happy as a formula fed one as long as formula feeding is done correctly.

This easy, step by step guide on how to formula feed will walk you through the important information regarding formula feeding while providing easy to follow instructions.

Before beginning formula feeding you’ll need to choose a formula to feed. This can take some experimenting as you’ll find your baby just may not like some types of formula for some reason or may even exhibit allergic reactions to others.

There are six primary types of formula regardless of brand.

Types of Formula

• Cow’s Milk Formula:

Though a baby should not be fed actual cow’s milk until one year of age, formula made from cow’s milk is acceptable. This is formula that is made by altering cow’s milk to more closely resemble breast milk. Babies with a lactose intolerance or milk allergy may not be able to use cow’s milk formula. Cow’s milk formula is the most common type.

• Soy Based Formula:

This is formula made from soy. It is an excellent option for those wishing to eliminate animal proteins such as vegans or for babies that are allergic to milk or have lactose intolerance. Note however, that some babies are also allergic to soy.

• Hypoallergenic or Protein Hydrolysate Formulas:

Commonly used for baby’s that have allergies or trouble absorbing nutrients. This type of formula is more processed and has smaller protein molecules. The protein that causes milk allergies is also commonly removed.

• Lactose Free Formula:

This formula is cow’s milk based but has had the lactose removed and replaced making it safe for lactose intolerant babies.

• Low-Birth Weight or Premature Baby Formula:

This is just formula with a little extra calories and nutrients to help low birth weight or premature babies become healthy faster.

• Modified Breast Milk Formula:

This is breast milk based formula that has been altered for babies with special needs.

On top of types of formula you will also need to choose a form. Formula comes in powder, liquid concentrate or ready-to-use form.

Forms of Formula

• Powdered Formula:

This formula comes in powder form and needs to be mixed with water for use. This is the least expensive form of formula. It also has the longest shelf life and is the easiest to store. As an added bonus you can mix as much or as little as you like.

• Liquid Concentrate Formula:

This formula also needs to be mixed with water, but begins as a concentrated liquid. Easier to prepare than powdered formula, but slightly more expensive liquid concentrate formula is a mid-point between powder and ready-to-use.

• Ready-to-Use Formula:

This formula is entirely ready to use when purchased. Though convenient, ready to use formula is more expensive and takes up more storage space. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/infant-formula/PR00058http://www.babycenter.com/0_choosing-formula-a-primer_1334669.bc

Many formula companies offer samples on request. This can be an inexpensive way to experiment with types, forms and brands to find just the right formula for you and your baby.

One of the best ways to decide when and how much formula to feed a baby is called demand feeding. Demand feeding is also sometimes called cue feeding because you feed the baby when it demonstrates cues of hunger for as long as it wishes to eat. http://www.llli.org/ba/May99.html

Cues of Hunger

• -The baby moves its head side to side as if looking for something.
• -The baby sucks on its hands, arms, or other objects.
• -The baby opens its mouth repeatedly and may also stick out its tongue or make puckering motions with its lips.http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_94103.html

Feedings should not be more than five to six hours apart, even during the night.http://www.stronghealth.com/services/womenshealth/maternity/Whentofeed.cfm

How much formula is given can also be determined by watching for cues. Every baby will have different feeding needs. When the baby is full it will lose interest in the bottle, stop sucking, or pull away and turn its head from the bottle. Typically you should feed the baby until it shows these signs.

Here are some rough averages based on age for how much your baby may consume in a single day.

• Birth to one week- six to ten, one to three ounce bottles.

• One week to one month- seven to eight, two to four ounce bottles.

• One to three months- five to seven, four to six ounce bottles.

• Three to six months- four to five, six to seven ounces bottles.

• Six to nine months- three to four, seven to eight ounce bottles.

• Nine months to the first year- Three seven to eight ounce bottles.

http://life.familyeducation.com/formula-feeding/baby/39374.html

Even if your baby does not even come close to these estimates, if it is showing healthy weight gain for its age and wetting at least one diaper every three hours or three diapers every twenty four hours, it is getting enough to eat. http://www.babycenter.com/404_how-do-i-know-if-my-baby-is-getting-enough-formula_9137.bc

Bottle feeding a baby formula is a rather simple process. By now you have your formula. You also know how much and when to feed, next you’ll need to select a bottle and prepare it. You can read an in-depth step by step guide on how to bottle feed which includes bottle and nipple selection by clicking the phrase in this sentence.

If you already have a bottle, here is a quick final step on how to actually bottle feed the formula.

Follow the instructions on your chosen formula to prepare. Formula bottles should not be made in advance and are best fresh. If you do store a formula bottle keep it no longer than twenty-four hours.http://www.fao.org/ag/agn/agns/files/PIF_Bottle_en.pdf

You should never prop the bottle for your baby or leave it unattended. This can result in choking. Once your baby falls asleep and stops eating you should remove the bottle. Even if the baby is not actively feeding, the bottle should not be propped. On top of being a choking hazard, sleeping with a bottle propped can cause tooth decay. http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/pa/pa_bottleto_hhg.htm You should always hold the baby while feeding formula. You can hold the baby in any position that feels comfortable. However, the baby should not be lying flat on its back. A forty-five degree angle should be kept to prevent milk from entering the delicate tubes of the inner ear which can cause ear infections. http://www.babycenter.com/0_bottle-feeding-basics_752.bc

Finally, be sure that the nipple of the bottle is always full of formula. Failing to do so will cause the baby to swallow air which will lead to uncomfortable gas. You can remedy an empty nipple by increase the tilt in which you are holding the bottle.