Choosing how to supplement your baby’s diet with formula can be puzzling. Currently there are 6 major categories of formula on our market shelves today. They include:
- Cow’s Milk Based Formulas
- Soy Based Formulas
- Hypoallergenic Formulas
- Lactose Free Formulas
- Organic Formulas
- Formulas for Babies with Special Needs
It is important to make an educated decision on the type of formula supplement you will feed to your baby. Hiring a Doula or Newborn Care Specialist includes discussing and educating the mother with in-depth research done by industry professionals on the advantages and disadvantages of each category of formula.
For example, did you know in cow’s milk based formulas, the proteins are made more digestible by adding more lactose which makes it similar to breast milk, and butterfat is replaced by vegetable oils? And did you know that although there is a category of hypoallergenic formulas, that no formula is NON-allergenic, and that the specialty formulas just have degrees of lesser stimulation of the allergic response or a sensitivity to the protein in the formula?
We will discuss Dairy Allergy Vs. Dairy Hypersensitivities, soy formulas, iron-fortified formulas, and the importance of choosing a formula without artificial DHA/ARA. It is imperative that all parents be made aware of the potential risks of feeding their babies formula with DHA/ARA, and then given a list of formulas which have DHA/ARA without the use of hexane (a neurotoxin) in the manufacturing process.
After choosing a formula, we will discuss the available forms of your preferred formula supplement (powder, ready-to-use, ready-to-pour, or concentrated liquid) and how to prepare formula properly for your precious little one.
Lastly we will discuss:
- bottle types
- nipple sizes
- how often to supplement with formula
- how much to supplement with formula
- physical signs of your infant getting enough nutrition
- guidelines for weight gain
- signs of underfeeding and over feeding
- safe formula feeding tips
- formula guidelines
- bottle temperature
- converting ccs to ounces
- water usage in formula
- how to clean and sterilize bottles and equipment
- the Kangaroo Care method
- and any questions you have
Book your Virtual Newborn Care Consultation for fast solutions on feeding and other concerns you may have.
