Buzz
No formula can compare to mother's milk in the first 6 months of life. However, for unforeseen reasons, mothers might be unable to choose breastfeeding or may lack sufficient milk, leading to the use of formula for the baby.
So, if you have to use formula for your baby, what should you pay attention to?
- Ensuring the right amount of formula for adequate nutrition
Worrying that your baby might not eat enough is a constant concern for parents. Nutrition experts advise that if the baby exclusively consumes formula, the daily amount should be calculated based on the baby's weight: on average, 100-120ml of formula per day for every 1kg of body weight, divided into 5-7 feedings. Adjustments may be needed for each meal based on the unique nutritional needs of each baby. However, the total daily formula intake should not exceed 1000ml. If the total amount reaches 1000ml and the baby is still hungry, consider supplementing with complementary foods.
- If your baby refuses formula, what should you do?
Many babies easily adapt to new tastes, but some can be quite picky. When using formula for your baby, they may either accept or outright refuse it. If your baby rejects formula, parents should patiently train them (you can refer to the '9 useful tips to make bottle feeding easy' for help in introducing bottles and formula to the baby).
Some mothers, upon seeing their baby resist formula, blame the milk and hastily switch to another type. This can make it even harder for the baby to adapt to formula.
Do not hastily switch to another formula if the baby refuses the current one
- Is it advisable to give more formula to the baby than other complementary foods?
Using formula for the baby requires less effort for parents, but neglecting other complementary foods is a significant mistake. As babies enter the weaning stage, introducing complementary foods, such as baby porridge, becomes important. If a one-year-old is still solely reliant on formula, it becomes challenging to establish good eating habits, adapt to different foods, and, furthermore, those overly dependent on formula may experience slower growth and development compared to those receiving nutrients from various food sources.
- What to do when a baby experiences constipation with formula?
It's common for babies to experience constipation when using formula, as it's harder to digest than breast milk. However, if left untreated, it can lead to bone fragility, nutritional deficiencies, delayed growth, and harm the baby's health.
Mothers need to double-check if they've prepared the formula correctly for their baby. It's crucial to ensure the baby drinks additional water, such as boiled and cooled water. When the baby is 4-6 months old, introduce complementary foods, offer fruit juice, or blend vegetables to make baby porridge. Alternatively, give the baby a warm bath and gently massage the abdominal area to facilitate easier bowel movements.
- On supplementing DHA and AA
DHA and AA are essential nutrients for the development of the baby's brain and retina. For babies of the appropriate age, both formula and breast milk provide sufficient DHA. (During pregnancy and breastfeeding, mothers should consume deep-sea fish such as snow fish, salmon, etc., for ample DHA supply to the baby). For preterm babies, mothers should choose specialized premature infant formula containing additional nutrients, including DHA, to support the baby's development.
Choose formula with added DHA, iron, along with various vitamins and minerals for comprehensive development
- On iron supplementation
Between the 4-6 month phase, if the baby isn't adequately supplemented with iron, there's a high risk of developing anemia, adversely affecting nail development. Hence, it's crucial to provide appropriate iron supplementation for the baby. Once the baby reaches 6 months, introduce iron-rich solid foods to ensure the overall health of the baby.
