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infant formulas are used when babies are not breast-fed. They can also
be used when baby needs extra calories or more milk. The quality of infant
formula has improved tremendously in the last decade and many manufacturers
modify cow's milk for human babies by adjusting carbohydrate, protein,
and fat levels and adding vitamins and minerals. Choose a formula based
on cow's milk, which is modified in order to resemble breast milk as closely
as possible. The formula should be iron-fortified to avoid low iron levels
in your baby's blood. Deciding which formula is right for your baby means
considering your baby's health, age, and dietary needs, as well as each
formula's cost and preparation time. There are also special types of formula
manufactured for premature babies. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you
choose a formula that is right for your baby.
A few babies will develop cow's milk intolerance or allergy, and symptoms may include skin rashes, diarrhea, constipation, eczema, vomiting, colic, being unsettled, persistent crying, weight loss, failure to gain weight, malnutrition, reflux, burping, flatulence, bloating, and shortness of breath. These symptoms should go away when you stop giving a formula based on cow's milk to your baby. If your baby has a true cow's milk protein allergy, you will need to exclude cow's milk and cow's milk products from baby's diet completely. A lot of confusion exists between the terms cow's milk allergy and lactose intolerance, and they are often used interchangeably. Ask your doctor or a dietitian for advice. Some babies may have lactose intolerance. This means they cannot make the enzyme that digests the sugar in milk. This sugar is called lactose. Your baby may develop lactose intolerance temporarily after severe diarrhea, bloating, gas and abdominal pain. These problems should go away when your baby is taken off formula containing lactose. If your baby have lactose intolerance switch to a soy-based formula that does not contain lactose. Consult your doctor or a dietitian before you make any change in formula. Most formulas are available
as powders, ready-to-use liquids or concentrated liquids. Always follow
the package directions exactly. You must dilute concentrated liquid formula
with water before giving it to your baby. Concentrated formula could harm
your baby if you do not add water or if you add too much water.
Formula does not have to
be heated, but most babies prefer their formula heated. The safest way
to heat the formula is to place the bottle with formula in a container
of hot water. Never use a microwave to heat formula because microwaves
heat unevenly and will create hot spots that can burn your baby's mouth
even if the bottle feels cool to the touch.
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