Formula milk

What are the advantages of formula milk?

Formula milk has its advantages, although most health experts are agreed that it is best to breastfeed babies as breast milk contains a range of nutrients and is more beneficial for a baby’s health. Breast milk is preferable but many women aren’t comfortable with breastfeeding and formula milk is a perfectly acceptable alternative. Using formula milk is advantageous because it allows other people to share the workload of making up the bottles and feeding the baby; this also allows other members of the family to bond with the baby while they feed them, rather than just the mother. Bottle feeding is useful if you are leaving your baby with other members of the family or friends and it is also more convenient when you are out and about, as many women feel uncomfortable breastfeeding in public.

What are the disadvantages of formula milk?

Formula milk does not contain all the health benefits of breast milk; breast milk is specifically designed to provide everything a newborn baby needs and will offer protection against infections and illnesses, as well as helping the baby to grow and develop. Breastfeeding is also an excellent way for mothers to bond with their babies, although this is also possible through close contact when bottle feeding.

Preparing bottles and making up formula milk can be a bit of a hassle; all the bottles need to be sterilised and kept as clean as possible and you may find this is the last thing you want to be doing at 3 o’clock in the morning when your newborn is screaming.

Formula milk can also be pricey, especially if you are feeding your baby formula milk exclusively, whereas breast milk is obviously free. Sometimes, vouchers are available to help with the cost of formula milk but you should be aware of this cost before you decide how you want to feed your baby.

Combining breast feeding and formula feeding

Many women give their baby both breast milk and formula milk, especially as they start to wean their baby off breast milk; it is a good idea to stop breastfeeding gradually so that your baby gets used to formula milk. Some babies may have trouble adjusting to the change initially, but they will soon get used to formula milk so try not to panic. If you are going back to work, start introducing formula milk well in advance so that your baby is used to their new milk before you have go back.

Sterilisation and storage

Sterilisation is very important; you need to sterilise all the bottles and teats your baby will use. Most people use an electric steriliser to clean their bottles and teats; there is now a large range of sterilisers on the market and they are easy to use. If you do buy an electric steriliser, make sure you read the instructions carefully before you use it; take care to wash your hands before you touch the baby’s bottles to reduce the risk of infection. If your baby has a dummy, this should also be sterilised.

If you have made up bottles that you intend to use later, you must store them in the fridge. If your baby has left some milk, do not try to give it to them later on in the day; instead, throw it away and make up a new bottle for the next feed. You should not leave a prepared bottle in the fridge for longer than 24 hours and you should not leave bottles at room temperature for longer than an hour; after this time, dispose of the milk and sterilise the bottle.

If you are going out for the day or you are transporting bottles (to a babysitter’s house or nursery, for example) you should take the required amount of formula powder, boiling water in a flask and a sterile bottle with you; remember that the milk may be very hot when you first make it up, so take care to leave it under a running tap until it cools sufficiently. If you are using ready-made formula milk, try to store and carry it in a cool bag and then place it in the fridge when you get to your destination; you should then use the milk within four hours.

Preparing the bottles

It is a good idea to have plenty of bottles; this is useful if your baby is going to stay with somebody else, in case you lose one or two and to make sure you are not cleaning bottles all the time. Some people buy ready-made infant milk; if you are using this, simply place the milk in a sterile bottle and give to your baby. Most people use powdered formula milk, which has to be mixed with boiled water (this is important as boiling helps to kill off bacteria); there are many types of formula milk on the market and you should follow the instructions on the packet. Most brands require a certain amount of water to be added to a measurement of the formula powder; it is a good idea to use boiled tap water, rather than bottled water as this may contain certain minerals which are not suitable for small babies.

Once you have measured the formula powder and added the right amount of water you may wish to heat the bottle up; some babies prefer cold bottles but most like their milk a bit warm. Take care not to heat the bottle up too much, as this could burn your baby’s mouth and do not use microwaves for formula milk (this can cause heat spots in the milk, which can burn your baby’s mouth); instead, use a pan of hot water and place the bottle in until the bottle is warm or place the bottle under the hot tap for a short period of time; you can test the temperature of the milk by pouring a small amount onto the back of your hand.

Which formula milk should I use?

There are now many different varieties and brands of formula milk on the market and it can be daunting to try and choose between them; if your baby has an allergy (such as lactose intolerance or an allergy to cow’s milk), there are also varieties which will suit them better. Take time to look at the labels, talk to your GP, midwife or health visitor and ask friends or relatives with babies which products they recommend; some brands are very well-known and others are only just emerging onto the market; it’s up to you but many people prefer to go with a name they know and trust.

If you are very busy or you go out a lot, you can now buy ready-made infant formula milk; these are often more expensive but they are handy if you’re planning to be out for a few hours or other people are going to be looking after your baby on a regular basis.

There is no evidence to suggest that it is beneficial to leave your baby on one type of formula milk’ however, you may find it easier and it may be better for your baby to have something which they are used to and happy with.

What does formula milk contain?

Formula milk contains skimmed cow’s milk, which has been processed specifically so that it can be digested easily by small babies; the milk also contains a range of added vitamins, minerals and nutrients, which ensure that the baby is getting all the nutrition it needs to grow and develop healthily. You can read details of exactly what is in the milk on the back of the packet or tin.

Some formula powders now contain substances known as DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid); these are polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are linked with brain development; studies have come back with mixed results as to the efficacy and benefits of these new formulas.

Will my baby be getting all the nutrients they need?

While breast milk is championed by almost all health experts, formula milk is fortified to ensure that your baby is getting all the nutrients they need. In some cases, you may be advised to add vitamins to your baby’s milk; this usually happens from the age of six months and can be particularly beneficial if your baby drinks less than 500ml of milk per day. Vitamin drops are widely available from pharmacies.

Breastfeeding:

Mother, Baby and Beyond

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