There are lots of mothers and families who are deciding to go with formula instead of breastfeeding. How should formula be introduced to a baby?

There are lots of mothers who would like to breastfeed their babies exclusively until the age of one. At the same time, current economic conditions dictate that some others are not able to do this. Breastfeeding might not be sustainable for medication reasons, cultural reasons, scheduling reasons, or even illnesses that impact the safety of breast-milk. That is fine. There is nothing wrong with that. The good news is that there is an alternative. Formula is available as well.

At the same time, introducing formula to a baby who has been breastfed might not be an easy task. Babies are creatures of habit. They get used to breastmilk and might not want to switch. Fortunately, there are ways to make this transition easier.

First, be sure to introduce the formula slowly. For example, it is a good idea to start with a mixture that is mostly breast milk. Starting with an 80/20 mix of breastmilk and formula is a good idea. Then, shift this mixture to a 60:40 or 50:50 mix. Gradually, introduce more formula to the mixture. Eventually, move to a mixture that is 20 percent breastmilk and 80 percent formula. After a few days, the breastmilk can be removed completely. This can make it easier for mothers and babies to handle the transition. Trying to introduce one hundred percent formula straight away is going to be met with crying and rejection. This frustration can be difficult to handle. That is why introducing formula using this method is better.

One important point to note is that the temperature is going to play a role and how formula is received. When women feed breast milk directly from the nipple, it is going to be body temperature. Infants get used to this. Even though adults prefer cold drinks most of the time, babies are not going to enjoy this. It can be tempting to throw formula in the microwave. This is not safe. When mothers place formula in the microwave, there are going to be hot spots because the formula will not heat evenly. This could cause babies to develop burns on the inside of their mouths. Instead, place the formula in a pot of hot water and heat it up slowly. Give it a few minutes and allow the heat to be distributed uniformly. This will increase the chances of formula being accepted by the baby.

Today, there are plenty of options for formula on the market. It is important for mothers to make sure their formulas have everything they need for their growing babies. Often, formulas are labeled for babies of different ages. Parents with questions or concerns about finding the right formula should be sure to top of their pediatrician to learn more. There are plenty of options out there and parents need to find the one that is right for their child. This is a great way to ensure that the formula has everything a growing baby needs, including vitamin D, which is notably deficient in breast milk.

These are a few of the top tips that mothers and parents should keep in mind when it comes to finding the right formula for their babies. Even though many mothers prefer to breastfeed their babies, this is not always possible. That is why formula is a suitable alternative.