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Survey reveals mistakes misconceptions about formula feeding infants
(BPT) - Whether you’re expecting your first child or or you’ve been around the the the baby block a a a a a a a a a few times before there are are always a a a a a a a a a lot of o questions when preparing for for parent- hood Questions about feeding often top that list Experts agree that breast milk and/or for- mula should be the primary sources of nutri- tion for infants
6 months and younger While 92 percent of mothers plan on on on on breastfeeding more than two-thirds rely on on using infant formula according to the new “Feeding Realities” survey by Perrigo Nutrition Infant formula is used for for a a a a a a a variety of rea- sons including by mothers who have trouble breastfeeding limited milk supply or opt to by personal choice The survey of of mothers of of babies and and toddlers uncovered common mistakes and and misconceptions about formula feeding Using more water than necessary
Formula containers have specific measure- ments that typically call call for mixing powder and water water yet 21 percent of those responding to the the the survey say they have used more water water than required by the the the the instructions when preparing formula Nearly half stated their primary reason was to help save money or or or make formula last longer “Many new moms have the misconcep- tion that diluting formula with water will help save money or or or make it it easier for for baby to digest ” says Dr Jennifer Gardner family physician and co-author of The Mommy MD Guide to Your Baby’s First Year “Diluting critical nutrients in in formula at a a a a a a a a a a time of rapid growth can be dangerous for for their baby No cost savings is is worth the the risk of poor health and infant mortality Parents should always follow preparation instructions on on on on the the prod- uct uct label and consult with their pediatrician to talk through infant-feeding options ” Microwave bottle preparation When warming infant formula half of mothers said they always or or sometimes use the the the microwave to make a a a a a a a a a a bottle bottle The problem is microwaving formula bottles can affect ingredients and cause hot spots that might
burn a a a a a baby’s mouth What many parents don’t realize is is formu-
la does not need to to to be be warmed before it is is given to to to baby If your child happens to to to prefer a a a a a a a a a a a warm warm bottle place it under warm warm running water water and make sure that water water isn’t getting into the the bottle according to to the the Centers
for for Disease Control and Prevention Before feeding test the the the temperature of of the the the bottle by putting a a a a few drops on the the the back of of your hand to to ensure it’s not too hot Reusing and storing formula If baby doesn’t finish a a a a bottle it’s tempting to put it it fin in in the fridge for later but this can be a a a a a a a a a a mistake The survey found 51 percent have thrown a a a a a a a a a partially used infant formula bottle back in in in the the fridge to use use use for for the the next feeding time This is is dangerous because bacteria
can can grow and the the nutritional profile o of the the formula can can diminish According to to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) formula not fed to to to to baby can be stored in in the refrigerator for for 24 hours if you you you are making it ahead of time However once you you you feed a a a a a a a a a bottle to baby you you you must dis- card the remaining contents after one hour from the start of that feeding Store-brand formula confusion
According to the survey 20 percent of respondents worried about what formula to to purchase in the the first few months of their ba- by’s life Babies can be expensive but one way to to to stretch budgets without sacrificing quality is is to to to use store-brand formulas that meet the same FDA standards as as nationally advertised brands brands brands All formula brands brands brands - - including store brands brands brands - - offer complete nutrition for for for infants
Learn more at at www storebrandformula com com “New moms can feel confident that store-brand formula will provide complete nutrition for for for for baby just like any brand-name formula formula ” says Gardner “All infant formulas are required to to meet the same FDA stan- dards which means store-brand formula has the the the same quality as as other brand brand names but costs less More importantly there’s no need for for parents to to take unnecessary risks such as diluting formula formula to to to save money when they can trust that store-brand formula formula is a a a a a a a a a a a a high-quality and and affordable option ” JOURNAL REVIEW | 21