Formula has come through for so many parents. Although some people argue that the cons are more than the pros, it’s something that has helped make parenting easier for people who have specific limitations like delayed milk production after giving birth.
Science has proved that formula fed babies grow up to be fully healthy kids and that it’s perfectly okay to give your baby formula. However, there are certain things you should pay attentions to, specifically when preparing.
Babies are very sensitive and you have to be extremely careful with how you handle them. That is why you should always ensure you’re following these guidelines when you’re fixing a bottle for your little one.
Ensure your hands are cleanBabies don’t have the advantage of having a strong immune system. Something small can trigger an infection so while you’re getting ready to prepare some formula, you first need to make sure your hands are clean.
You should use antibacterial soap and remember to reach those areas where dirt can hide like underneath your fingernails.
Always sterilizeFeeding equipment must always be clean before you feed your baby. There’s a lot of bacteria around us and although you can’t see them, they can cause serious health problems for your baby.
The first step is to clean your bottles and any other feeding martials you will use with soap and water, while paying extra attention to areas that can hold on to residue like the teat of the bottle. When you’re done, that is when you sterilize in boiling water to kill any bacteria left behind.
Use clean waterIf you’re using powdered formula that needs to be mixed with water, you should always use clean water. Using tap water directly might seem safe since it doesn’t look dirty, but there are many harmful microorganisms in it.
It’s best to use water that you have boiled already or distilled water which is safe for them.
Ensure the formula mixture is at the right temperatureThe baby formula should never be hot. If it is, it could potentially burn your baby which is just terrible.
The correct temperature is lukewarm and you should even test it first on your inner wrist to make sure it’s safe for them to drink.
Check if the formula is okayIt’s possible to have expired formula without even knowing it. If you feed that to your baby, it can turn toxic and lead to serious health problems.
You can put a visible label on the container to help you remember. Also, store it the right way to prevent any contamination.
Measure preciselyFormulas come with specific instructions to be followed. They don’t just indicate those measurements for fun because they serve an important purpose.
The formula shouldn’t be too concentrated or dilute because both these situations could trigger health issues. An over diluted mix won’t give your baby the needed amount of nutrients and putting in too much formula can cause dehydration.
You have to be very careful with the measurements every time.