FEEDING YOUR NEWBORN FORMULA-STOP FEELING GUILTY!

Being the mother of five children from the ages of twenty-two down to my three month old baby, I am always surprised at how the ways to care for your newborn are constantly changing!

I often wonder, as the new suggestions are brought to my attention, how my previous newborns made it through without me knowing this new "suggestion" or guideline from the Pediatrician.

I must start by saying , and this should go without saying, breast-milk is always the best for your newborn. That being said, some of us are sometimes left feeling inadequate because we can't breastfeed our babies for one reason or another. So, we must resort to the use of formulas to provide the much needed nutrition for our newborns. I am one of these women. I have learned over the years to "get-over" the guilt trip society and a few nosey ninnies like to place on me. I learned after my first two kids that it was easier to answer the question "Are you breast feeding?" with a polite "Yes" and move on.

Differences between breastfeeding and formula feeding:

• Cost- well, you got me there, breast-milk is free!
• Availability- as long as you buy enough formula and keep stocked up they are both readily available
• Nutrition- Formulas have gotten better and better over the years at matching the nutrition and proportions that human milk provides
• Immunities- While breast milk does provide immunities from the mothers milk as well as infection fighting white blood cells, the risks of either breast fed or formula fed babies contracting a serious infection is low
• Weight-loss- though it doesn't effect the baby, some say breast feeding promotes weight loss in the mothers
• Obesity- Breast feeding MAY reduce the risk of obesity in the baby's future. I have five children, none of which are obese from being formula fed.

So, there you have it, no reason to feel guilty because you aren't able to breast feed your baby!

Now , about formulas, there are several formulas out there to choose from and your doctor will suggest the ones that most closely fits your babies needs. Don't worry, as you may end up changing the formula brand.type before you find the one that your baby agrees with the most. Once you find the brand/type, now you can choose from these listed below:

• Ready to feed: All you have to do is measure the amount of ounces into the bottle, that's it, then feed your baby- This is the most expensive choice.
• Concentrated- This comes fully concentrated and must be mixed with equal amounts of water before being measured and feed to your baby. Second most expensive choice
• Powdered- Dry mix. This you mix by adding one level scoop( provided in the can) per two ounces of water. The cheapest choice.

Now the things to remember if you are choosing the above types that you must mix with water: You may use tap water- so long as your water is safe and doesn't come from a well or isn't highly fluoridated. If you have any concerns, you may boil the water first but let it cool before mixing with formula.

Before feeding your baby:

You just came home with that wonderful newborn baby and now it's time for his first home feeding.

The steps you want to remember are these:

• Make sure you sterilize all bottles, nipples and nipple rings before first time use. Boiling or sterilizing after that is not needed so long as you make sure to wash them well in hot soapy water and rinse thoroughly or run them through the dishwasher.
• Hopefully you have chosen your formula - now you measure and mix your formula( if you have not chosen the "ready to feed") be sure to follow the above steps concerning your water and fill the bottle.
• Shake well- rather it's Ready to Feed or the mixable type, always shake well.
• Now you are ready to feed your baby- It is no longer required to "heat" formula, room temperature is fine.
• Don't forget to "burp" your baby after every ounce to prevent painful gas & tummy aches.

Earlier I mentioned the fact that recommendations are constantly changing and the new things I've learn with this last baby have surprised me.

It was only five years ago, at the birth of my daughter, that they were still recommending boiling water, sterilizing bottles before every use and warming the milk !