Tips on formula feeding?

Question

We had to switch our exclusively breastfed 9-month-old daughter to formula suddenly when I developed a dental problem and was put on medications.

We're completely unfamiliar with formula -- we don't know how often or how much to feed her, and we're confused about how to prepare the bottles. The can says something about using cooled, boiled water, but every "formula mom" I've ever known just puts formula and bottled water in the bottle, then shakes it up.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Answer 1

Yes, water at room temperature and formula powder as the package says.

You don't have to wean.

You can keep expressing your milk and restart when you finish your treatment.

i know someone from La Leche League that just restarted breastfeeding after 2 months.  The baby is 11 months now.

Good Luck

Answer 2

If you don't want to switch to formula, you most likely don't have to.  There is almost always a way to effectively treat mom while keeping baby safely on the breast.  Your doctor or dentist can't help you with that, you'll need a good lactation consultant.  Doctors often suggest that you wean because they don't know if your meds are safe and they don't know where to look it up.  An LC will look up your medicine in Hale's and will help you figure it out.

If you want to switch to formula, then by all means go ahead, but I'm sure that if you want to continue nursing, then you can.

Answer 3

I'd get a second opinion on the medications you're taking and their compatibility with nursing.  There are very few medications that you can't take while nursing, and none that I'm aware of that are used in dental applications.

Answer 4

I didn't even do bottled water.  Check with your doctors office, to make sure the water in your area is safe to use.  It should be.  Don't use baby water in conjunction with formula because they both contain flouride, and that could be too much.  I used a filter on my tap and just put warm water in the bottle.  Fill it to about 8 ounces.  You may check and see if you can find how much a 9 month old should be taking.  If it's 8 ounces:  fill the bottle to 8 ounces, add 4 scoops (not packed, but filled and leveled) to the bottle, and shake.  It's pretty simple.  She may not be excited initially because she isn't used to it, but it's only for 3 months and then she switches to milk.  And she should be eating solids, so by now the formula is more to supplement.  Good luck!

Answer 5

You'll have to find a formula that will work with her. I'd suggest asking her pediatrician first and seeing if they have any recommendations as there are a few different kinds. As far as how often to feed her, how long was she going between feedings before? Start there and see how that works. Formula does take longer to digest so you may find her being able to go longer periods between feedings. As far as how much you'll just have to play around with that. My 4 month old is drinking 6-7 ounces every 3 and a half-4 hours. So maybe start with 6 oz. and see how she takes that. If she acts hungry still then add another ounce.

I just use filtered water from our fridge with our bottles. I then leave them out on the counter and they just get to room temp. The only reason they say to boil water is if you're using tap water. You can use bottled water or filtered water.

ETA: Do not use Nursery Water as someone suggested. It has added fluoride in it which as been known to cause problems with infants. Too much fluoride isn't good for them.

Answer 6

ther is directions on the containers. but yes, boil the water first, let cool down, and mix with the formula and then poor into bottles. at 9 months, she is probebly drinking 6/7 oz or so. make a 6 oz bottle and see how she takes it, and then either increase or decrease the amount depending on her. she must be on solids by now too right

Answer 7

First question, are you sure you have to wean?  Most medications are safe to use while breastfeeding .. and I'm hard pressed to come up with ANY medication for a 'dental problem' that would be contraindicated. (Pain meds?  Safe.  Most antibiotics? Safe. Flouride?  Safe.)  So please do some research to be sure that you really do have to wean.

Here's a good place to start.

http://kellymom.com/health/meds/index.ht...

(And if you do have to wean, be aware that cold-turkey is hard on  you and on your baby.  Even if you must wean baby immediately, you will need to pump your milk and gradually wean from the pump, lest you develop mastitis.)

Answer 8

using bottled water is basically the same as using boiled water  brought down to room temperature.  It's just less work is all.  When you're making bottles for a 9 month-old you're better mixing it before putting it in the bottle just because it's less mess with the powder.  This is from personal experience.

A baby generally needs 2.5 to 2.7 ounces of formula or breastmilk per pound they weigh in a 24-hour period.  But if you're more comfortable feeding on demand then I would do so.  Your daughter knows when she's hungry.  If you're in doubt with anything I would ask your doctor.  

Answer 9

the easiest way for my family is to buy nursery water (pink cap and label with baby on it)..you can premix any formula and keep in fridge up to 24 hours..we premix in a dr. browns pitcher and i pour out 3 bottles to have ready in the fridge and when he is ready to eat i steam the botttle,, as for how much she should eat and when.. she should eat every 3 to 4 hours i'm not sure how many oz..  

Answer 10

We use luke warm water from the tap.  my almost 5 month old daughter eats 4 oz.  every 3-4 hours.  You might have a tough time getting her to drink it since she has been breastfed since birth, but eventually she'll adapt.  At 9 months, I'd probably start out with 6 oz. if she doesn't eat it then try less or try mixing some formula up and put some infant cereal in with it in a bowl and feed it to her off of a spoon.  At 9 months old my son was drinking an 8 oz bottle about 4-5 times a day plus baby food and cereal.  It sounds like you are going to have to slowly introduce her to formula.  Hope this helps.

Answer 11

yea they can take formula at room temperature.  It tastes better for them to be warmed up but when I'm not at home and he gets hungry I just give it at room temp and he eats it just fine.  If you're at home you can warm the water by putting the bottle in a cup of warm water til the water in the bottle gets warm.  or buy a bottle warmer (which I never use)  I feed my 3 month old every 4 hours and I use similac sensitive.  good luck!

Answer 12

I give my daughter formula she is on a special formula for her stomach. I just by bottled water and mix the formula and give it to her like that. I do not heat it. My daughter is 11 months so she drinks about 26 ozs a day I normally give her 8 ozs and she finishes it. I also use the playtex bottles with the drop ins you can push all of the air out. As long as your daughter doesn't have any sensitivity to cows milk regular enfamil or similac should be fine. if not then try soy. Just watch her and she will et you know when she is hungry you can start out with 6 ozs and see if she wants more, it will help you know how much to put in each bottle.

Answer 13

You can use tap water or bottled water. Theres no need to boil it.

Use the desired amount then add the formula scoops. Shake and serve. Feed her when shes hungry. I would start with 6 oz bottles. If she wants more she will tell you. Then how ever often she nursed. Ushually about 5 to 7 times a day.