The Dos & Don’ts of Formula Feeding Explained

When it comes to formula feeding your little one, you may have many questions. We take the mystery out of mixing up a bottle of infant formula and set your mind at ease for a smoother feeding process.

Follow these tips for safe formula feeding:

• Do discard formula that has been at room temperature for more than one hour.

• Do discard leftover milk that your baby hasn’t finished.

• Do sterilise all feeding equipment (bottles, caps, rings and nipples before feeding) either in boiling water or in an electric or microwave steriliser. The general rule of thumb is to sterilise equipment until your baby is a year old. Take a look at Your Ultimate Guide to Bottle Sterilisation.

• Do measure the formula carefully. The measuring scoop should be levelled off with a knife.

• Do use boiled water to reconstitute the formula. Pour the water into a clean and sterilised bottle, and add the measured amount of formula.

• Do use ice packs or a cooler bag to transport bottles of formula.

• Do store formula at the back of the fridge, where it’s coldest.

• Don’t try force your baby to finish their bottle of formula if they’re showing signs of being full as this will cause them to eat more than they need or want.

• Do ensure that you’re using the right size nipple. If your baby seems to be working hard at sucking, then the flow might be too slow. If milk dribbles out of your baby’s mouth and your baby seems to be struggling or sputtering, then the flow might be too fast.

• Don’t put your baby to bed with a bottle as this can be a choking hazard.

• Don’t heat up bottles in the microwave as it can create uneven hot spots that might burn your baby.

• Do test the temperature of the milk before you feed your baby. Put a few drops on the inside of your wrist to check that it’s not too hot.

• Do check that the tin of formula hasn’t expired. 

• Do tilt the bottle in such a way that the nipple is completely full of milk, to prevent your baby from drinking air and becoming gassy.

• Don’t worry about heating up your baby’s bottle. Some babies are content drinking cold milk, but once you start heating up bottles, your baby becomes used to that temperature and it might be difficult to switch to cold.

• Do give your baby short breaks so that you can burp them. Hold them in an upright position, and gently rub or pat their backs to bring up any gas.

• Do make sure that you’re using the right formula for your infant, whether it’s for their age group, or a condition. For example, Novalac formula is interchangeable and has solutions for babies with colic or those battling with regurgitation.

• Do put your baby slightly upright and in a semi-sitting position. Ensure that their head is supported so that they can breathe and swallow easily, and try to get comfortable too.

Your baby should be in a semi-sitting position and fairly upright where you can see their face and watch for signs that they need a break. Make sure you’re also feeding your baby comfortably. Also, support their head to facilitate easy breathing and swallowing.

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. BabyYumYum reserves the right to its opinions and fully supports the notion of promotion that breast is best in line with the World Health Organisation (WHO) infant feeding guidelines. Breast milk is the best food for infants. Good maternal nutrition is essential to prepare and maintain breastfeeding. If breastfeeding is not applied, an infant formula may be used according to the advice of health professionals. Preparation and storage of any infant formula should be performed as directed on the tin in order not to pose any health hazards.

ALSO CHECK OUT: Ready Made Formula