Thursday, September 30, 2010

Infant Formula Basics

Hi, my name is Kristin and while I consider myself pretty well educated, especially in the areas of nutrition and science. I have a master’s in Human nutrition and I am finishing my coursework to become a Registered Dietitian, however, ever since becoming a mom I have to admit that I often feel overwhelmed and confused. As with all mothers, the first challenge that I faced as a new mom was whether or not to breast-feed and how to get started. I read all the literature that I could get my hands on regarding breastfeeding and the basics so I knew without question that breastfeeding was the right choice for me. I was very lucky that I did not experience the difficulty that many moms face in terms of infants who could not latch on properly, sore and cracked nipples, and so forth. Things were going great, that is until at 3 months after giving birth to my daughter I found a lump in my left breast. After multiple examinations and ultrasounds, I was sent to a surgeon who informed me that I would have to stop breastfeeding in order to correctly assess the problem and surgically remove the lump. What??? After all of this work and dedication I felt like my own body betrayed me and I was letting my daughter down. I now had to set forth on a whole new mission which was to find the best source of nutrition for my daughter since my own breast milk was no longer available. This meant researching the different formulas out on the market, finding one she would tolerate, making the transition from breast to bottle, and trying to be at peace with my decision.
Before I go further in detail, let me first clarify that I still believe breast milk is best and if you are able to breast feed then I fully encourage it. It is the optimal source of nutrition for the baby, is a great way for a mother and child to bond, provides immunological benefits that are not found in formula, and it is by far cheaper than store-bought formula. However, in my case, and in other situations infant formula can be a safe and practical alternative to breast milk. The following are basics and highlights that I found in my search to find the right solution for my daughter and myself.
The first question that many parents have is “what is the advantage of using formula over regular cow’s milk or plant-based milk?” Commercial infant formulas provide all the nutrients that most infants need. Milk from animal or plant sources doesn't contain these nutrients in a healthy balance for your baby and are not recommended for children under the age of 1 year.
Once you have made the choice to use formula the very first step is to speak with your child’s pediatrician. They are knowledgeable about the different  formulas out there and should be your first resource when making decisions or changes to your infants diet. Next, take a look at the various types and preparations on the market. All commercial formulas are regulated by the FDA (information can be found on the FDA website at http://www.fda.gov/). Other good resources to help you get started are American Academy of Pediatrics (http://www.aap.org/) and the website healthychildren.org, in addition pregnancy discussion boards my help you to connect with other mothers who have similar questions. When it comes to formula preparation it may be a matter of convenience for you or it may come down to cost. The major types of formula include
§  Cow's milk formulas. Most infant formula is made with cow's milk that has been altered to resemble breast milk. This gives the formula the right balance of nutrients — and makes the formula easier to digest. The newest addition to cow’s milk formulas is the addition of AHA and DHA essential fatty acids as well as pre- and probiotics to promote healthy bacteria in the digestive system, these can also be found in many soy-based formulas. Most babies do well on cow's milk formula. But some babies, such as those allergic to the proteins in cow's milk, need other types of infant formula.
§  Soy-based formulas. Soy-based infant formulas may be an option for babies who are intolerant or allergic to cow's milk formula or to lactose, a sugar naturally found in cow's milk. Soy-based formulas can also be useful if you want to exclude animal proteins from your child's diet. However, babies who are allergic to cow's milk may also be allergic to soy milk.
§  Protein hydrolysate formulas. These are meant for babies who have a family history of milk or soy allergies. Protein hydrolysate formulas are easier to digest and less likely to cause allergic reactions than are other types of formula. They are also called hypoallergenic formulas. In addition, specialized formulas are available for premature infants and babies who have specific medical conditions.
As I stated before, formula comes in different forms of preparation and vary in convenience and cost per ounce. The three forms available include:
§   Powdered formula is the least expensive. Each scoop of powdered formula must be mixed with water.
§  Concentrated liquid formula also must be mixed with water.
§  Ready-to-use formula does not need to be mixed with water. It's the most convenient type of infant formula. Ready-to-use formulas are also the most expensive — especially when packaged in disposable bottles.
Other important things to remember when choosing formula is to make sure to always check the expiration date on the container, mix the formula exactly as directed by the manufacturer, and to follow safe-bottle feeding guidelines. More information for practicing safe bottle-feeding can be found at the National Network for Child Care (www.nncc.org) and healthykids.org.
My next set of questions centered on how much to give my infant. It is important to remember that all infants have different needs and it is vital to discuss intake amounts as well as how to tell if your child is receiving enough to eat. A good set of guidelines to help you get started is when determining the amount of formula to give and how frequently feedings should be take place, your child’s weight and age are two important factors. Most children need about 2 to 2 ½ ounces of formula per pound of body weight over a 24 hour period. For example if your child weighs 12 pounds then you would take 12 x 2 to 2.5 oz. which equals 24 to 30 oz per 24 hours. A small 4 month old will probably be able to eat more at one time as compared to a large 8 week old infant so consider this when adjusting how much to give your child at one time, your pediatrician will probably be your best source of advice on how to individualize amount and frequency of feedings for your infant.
Even after you have done all of your homework, talked to your pediatrician, and made the change successfully, you still may be plagued with feelings of guilt. Just remember that your job as a parent is to make the decisions that are right for your child and yourself and to provide your infant with the best nutrition possible.