What is baby formula made of?
- derived from cow's milk
- contains a balance of vitamins, minerals & other nutrients
- contains lactose (helps with digestion, bowel function & tissue formation)
How is baby formula prepared?
- Formula is available in powder, concentrated liquid & ready-to-serve liquid.
- Powdered & concentrated liquid formula must be mixed with boiled water according to the amount specified by the formula manufacturer.
- Ready-to-serve liquid formula can be poured directly into your infant's bottle.
- Carefully measure and mix your infant's formula to ensure the proper concentration of formula is being administered.
- If the formula is warmed up, test the temperature of the formula prior to feeding your infant.
- Prepared formula should be used immediately.
- Prepared formula can be left at room temperature for one hour. After one hour, it should be discarded.
- It can also be refrigerated for up to 24 hours.
How much formula should I feed my infant?
- For the first week of the newborns life, 30mL should be given at each feed.
- This will increase during the second week to 60-90mL.
- In the first three weeks, your infant will be feeding approximately 8 times a day.
- After the three weeks, the number of feeds will decrease but the amount of formula taken in each feed will increase.
- Do not force your infant to finish the whole bottle.
What position do I hold my infant when I am bottlefeeding?
- When bottlefeeding your infant, hold him/her in a semi-upright position with his/her head in the crook of your arm.
- Tilt the bottle so that the formula is in the neck and nipple of the bottle.
How long is formula good for?
- An open can of liquid formula, tightly covered, can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. This includes formula which has been kept in a bottle.
- Formula should be used within 2 hours after being removed from the refrigerator. Discard any formula which has been removed and not used from the refrigerator after 2 hours.
- It is not recommended to freeze baby formula.