Baby Feeding & Nutrition

Recently Answered

• QHow often should I feed my baby?

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  A HCA Virginia answered

  Whether by breast or by formula, a newborn needs to be fed throughout the day. In the first few weeks, you should wake your baby to feed if three to four hours have passed since the last feeding. Unless he or she is premature or has special nutritional needs, you may not need to wake your baby up overnight, as infants usually wake up on their own.

  If you are breastfeeding, you will likely need to feed your baby every two to three hours. If you are feeding your baby formula, your baby may have six to 10 formula feedings of 2-4 ounces (oz) each per day. If you do decide to use formula, be sure to follow the product’s instructions for storing and warming it.

• QHow can I safely prepare and handle powdered infant formula?

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  A Univ. of Nev. School of Medicine, Family Medicine answered

  Powdered formula is not sterile, and it can become contaminated after it is opened. If your baby gets powdered infant formula, follow these steps to protect him/her from infections:

  Clean up before preparation

  • Wash your hands with soap and water.
  • Clean bottles in a dishwasher with hot water and a heated drying cycle, or scrub bottles with a bottle brush in hot, soapy water, rinse well, and then sterilize them.
  • Clean work surfaces, such as countertops and sinks.
  • Wash your hands again with soap and water before beginning to prepare a bottle.

  Prepare safely

  • Use hot water (158 degrees F/70 degrees C and above) to make formula. A simple way to heat water to this temperature is to boil a kettle of fresh water and to use it to make formula within 30 minutes of boiling.
  • Measure the right amount of formula and water.
  • Keep powdered formula lids and scoops clean (be careful about what they touch).
  • Close containers of infant formula or bottled water as soon as possible.
  • Carefully shake, rather than stir, formula in the bottle.
  • Cool formula to ensure it is not too hot before feeding your baby by running the prepared, capped bottle under cool water or placing it into an ice bath, taking care to keep the cooling water from getting into the bottle or on the nipple.
  • Before feeding the baby, test the temperature by shaking a few drops on your wrist.

  Use up quickly or store safely

  • Use formula within 2 hours of preparation.
  • If the baby does not finish the entire bottle of formula, discard the unused formula.
  • If you do not plan to use the prepared formula right away, refrigerate it immediately and use it within 24 hours. Refrigeration slows bacterial growth and increases safety.
  • When in doubt, throw it out. If you can't remember how long you have kept formula in the refrigerator, it is safer to throw it out than to feed it to your baby.
• QWhat is the proper way to bottle-feed?

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  A Sarine Salama , Psychology, answered on behalf of MDLIVE

  Prop the baby in a semi upright position, cradled in your arms. Hold the bottle at a slight angle and make sure that the nipple is completly filled with milk to decrease the amount of air the baby is intaking, thus decreasing gassy tummies!
• QCan I ever bottle feed once I choose to nurse?

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  A Dr. Carol Caico, NP , Advanced Practice Nursing, answered on behalf of Sigma Nursing

  During the first several weeks of an infant’s life, it is best to breastfeed as adequate supply of maternal milk is best produced with direct sucking action of the infant. After the period when the baby is latching on and the milk supply meets the demand of the infant, pumped milk can be put in bottles and the infant can be given a bottle. If breastfeeding is to be continued giving a bottle of breast milk a couple times day and breast feeding the rest of the feedings is an option. If the mother decides not to breastfeed anymore, the weaning process should include giving the baby formula a couple times a day and breastfeed the other feeding. The bottle feedings can be increased, once the maternal milk supply diminishes until complete bottle feeding occurs. It all depends if the mother wants to continue with breast milk or change to formula.

• QHow should I feed my 1-year-old?

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  A RealAge answered

  Your child should be weaned off of pureed food at around 1 year; she can eat everything you eat if it is in chewable pieces (except potential allergens if there's a family history). Make sure foods are in pieces smaller than one half inch so they will not be choking hazards, and watch your child when he eats.

  Serve whole milk from 12 months up until age 2. Babies need the fat for brain development. After that, your doc may suggest that you switch to 2 percent milk. There's absolutely no need to give your child soda or even fruit juice, with the exception of prune juice for constipation and calcium-fortified orange juice if she doesn't drink milk. (But dilute these with equal parts water so that your child doesn't get used to overly sweet tastes.)

• QShould I give my child fruit juice?

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  A Dr. Tanya R. Altmann, MD , Pediatrics, answered

  It’s actually best if you don’t. Your infant or toddler does not need juice. Although 100% fruit juice may contain some useful vitamins, juice often ends up being extra sugar and calories that your child doesn’t need. Plus, juice doesn’t have the valuable fiber found in fruit. One of the best things you can do for your child’s future nutritional health is to get your infant used to drinking water. How many adults do you know who don’t like plain water? It’s often because they didn’t get used to the taste when they were young.
  Even watered-down juice on a regular basis can get your child in the habit of wanting sweet-tasting beverages. It’s best to stick with water and milk whenever possible. If you do choose to give your child juice, keep it under 4 to 6 ounces a day. Treat sweet-tasting drinks like you would a dessert—on special occasions, let your toddler choose juice or another sweet treat such as cake. You might be surprised at his choice.
  An exception to this recommendation is if your baby is constipated. In such cases, your pediatrician may recommend small amounts of prune, apple, or pear juice along with a high-fiber diet to help with this problem.

  See All 5 Answers
• QWhat are some signs that my baby is allergic to infant formula?

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  A Dr. Tanya R. Altmann, MD , Pediatrics, answered

  Signs of a true milk protein allergy are usually not subtle. You may see hives (blotchy red skin rash), eczema, facial swelling, vomiting, or trouble breathing. Another type of formula allergy may produce bloody diarrhea and poor weight gain. There are some babies, however, who may have more mild symptoms such as spitting up, fussiness, and changes in stool pattern. Always talk to your pediatrician if you are concerned that your baby may have a milk or other food allergy.
  
  If your baby experiences any trouble breathing, facial swelling, vomiting, or hives, call your pediatrician immediately. The doctor may recommend that your baby be given a soy-based or hypoallergenic formula.
• QWhat are the preparations of infant formula?

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  A Dr. Tanya R. Altmann, MD , Pediatrics, answered

  The following preparations of infant formula are available:
  
  • Ready to feed: As the name states, your baby can drink the formula as is. Although convenient for travel if you can’t or don’t want to carry water for mixing, the bottles are heavy to carry around and often more expensive.
  
  • Liquid concentrate: Easy to mix—you simply add equal parts of the liquid formula and water, shake, and feed. Again, it is heavier to haul around in your baby bag and a slightly more expensive option than powder.
  
  • Powder: This preparation is the most commonly used and least expensive option. Also, powder is fairly light to carry. The mixing ratio is 2 ounces of water for 1 scoop of powder formula. Simply shake or stir and then serve.
• QWhat are the nutritional additives found in infant formula?

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  A Dr. Tanya R. Altmann, MD , Pediatrics, answered

  The following additives are in infant formula:
  
  • Iron: Iron is vital for blood and brain development. Contrary to popular belief, iron in formula does not cause constipation. More importantly, low-iron formulas do not contain enough iron for a baby’s growing needs.
  
  • DHA and ARA: These are 2 fatty acids (lipids) that naturally occur in breast milk and are thought to be important in brain and eye development. DHA and ARA have now been added to many formulas.
  
  • Probiotics: Similar to those found in yogurt with live bacteria cultures, probiotics have recently been added to some infant formula. Although the use of probiotics is advertised as leading to a healthier immune system and decreased infant illness, more studies need to be done on the risks and benefits.
  
  • Organic: New on the market are organic formulas. They are certified to be pesticide, antibiotic and growth hormone free. Only time and research will tell if there is any medical benefit, but if buying organic is important
  to you, it is fine. Just make sure you buy a reputable brand to ensure that it contains everything your baby needs to grow and develop.