Infant formulas

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Formula feeding; Bottle feeding

The AAP recommends that all infants be fed breast milk or iron-fortified formula for at least 12 months.

Standard formulas contain 20 Kcal/ounce and 0.45 grams of protein/ounce. Formulas based on cow's milk are appropriate for most full-term and preterm infants.

Infants who drink enough formula and are gaining weight usually do not need extra vitamins or minerals. Your doctor or nurse may prescribe extra fluoride if the formula is being made with water that has not been fluorinated.

Infant formula can be used until a child is 1 year old. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend cow's milk for children under 1 year old. After 1 year, the child should only get whole milk, not skim or reduced-fat milk.

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PREPARING, FEEDING WITH, CLEANING, AND STORING FORMULA

Clean bottles and nipples with soap and then boil them in a covered pan for 10 minutes. They should cool while still covered.

Parents can make enough formula to last for up to 24 hours.

• Make formula as directed. DO NOT water it down or make it stronger than recommended. This can cause your child to have pain, not grow well, or rarely, to have more severe problems. DO NOT add sugar to formula.
• Store cans of powdered formula in a cool, dry place with a plastic lid on top. Always wash your hands and the top of the container before handling.
• Once it is made, store formula in the refrigerator in individual bottles or a pitcher that has a closed lid. During the first month, your baby may need at least eight bottles of formula per day.

Feeding:

• Warm the formula slowly by placing it in hot water. DO NOT boil the water and DO NOT use a microwave. Always test the temperature of the formula on yourself before feeding your baby.
• Hold your child close to you and make eye contact. Hold the bottle so the nipple and the neck of the bottle are always filled with formula. This will help prevent your child from swallowing air.
• Throw away leftover formula after a feeding. Do not keep it and use again.

Review Date: 07/26/2010
Reviewed By: Jennifer K. Mannheim, ARNP, Medical Staff, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Seattle Children's Hospital; and Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).