Top 5 Tips for Formula Feeding your Newborn
By Marie McCausland PhD, MPH
When the FDA recalled multiple brands of baby formula (Similac, Alimentum, or EleCare powdered infant formulas produced at Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, MI facility) due to contamination I received a frantic message from a local father worried about their newborn. If one parent is worried enough to reach out, that means there are dozens more with the same questions, so lets explain what’s going on!
In this blog we are going to provide the top 5 things to do to if you are formula feeding your newborn.
TIP 1: DON’T PANIC!
Check the lot number. The lot number is a way to track when and where the formula was made. Think of it like your phone number. Not only does no one else have the same phone number as you, but your phone number tells someone a little about where you live (area codes). The lot number can tell not only what factory the formula was made but when, and so if your lot number is not one of the recalled lot numbers, you can feel safe to use it.
If you have been using affected formula, it’s still not time to panic! Stop using the formula, and monitor your newborn for the following symptoms:
Poor feeding (not eating as much)
Irritability (fussier than usual with more crying)
Fever
Jaundice (yellow skin and whites of the eyes)
Grunting breaths
Low energy
If your newborn develops any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
Tip 2: Use Liquid Formula or Boil your Water
Why???
Pre-mixed Liquid Formula is sterilized, which means that any germs that might have been in the formula have been killed. Liquid formula is most recommended if your baby is less than 3 months old or was born premature, because they are the more likely to get sick. It is, however, the most expensive so may not be in the budget for all parents.
If you don’t use liquid formula and are mixing your own from powder, the recommendation is to use boiled water which has been cooled to room temperature. When boiling water, make sure to fill the pot with COLD water, because it is less likely to have LEAD and other impurities than HOT water. If you can’t boil water, the next best thing is distilled water or nursery water.
Tip 3: Sterilize your Bottles
Sterilizing your bottles is more than just cleaning them with soap and water. While cleaning your bottles with soap and water is important and gets rid of the majority of harm causing bacteria and viruses, sterilizing kills everything left over. The CDC recommends sterilizing baby bottles once per day, especially if your baby was born premature or is less than 3 months. What’s awesome is that there are so many options out there to choose from! Here I’m highlighting just a few:
Boiled water
Add disassembled baby items to a pot of water.
Bring items to a boil.
Boil for 5 minutes
Remove items with a tong and air dry. DO NOT USE A PAPER TOWEL OR CLOTH TO DRY BECAUSE IT COULD INTRODUCE BACTERIA BACK TO THE ITEMS.
This is the least expensive option but has the highest burn risk. It also takes FOREVER.
Follow the instructions on the bag which usually includes adding water, adding the items and microwaving!!!
Most have instructions on how long to microwave based on the wattage of your microwave. You can find this information somewhere on your microwave, usually on the back or the side.
For example, this microwave has an output of 1050-1100 W.
If using the Medela Quick Clean Micro-Steam Sanitizing Bags where you microwave for
1.5 minutes for 1100 W+
3 minutes for 800-1100 W
5 minutes for 500-750 W
That would mean we would want to microwave for 3 minutes because the microwave power output is between 800 and 1100 W.
This is my favorite option because you can just put it in the microwave and sterilize once it’s full (4-8 bottles) which is about a days worth of bottles. Follow the instructions for your specific version, but usually it just involves adding water and putting in the microwave, just like the sterilizer bags! This way you always have sterile bottles on hand!
Tip 4: Always make a new bottle
Sometimes it happens, you make 6 oz of formula and they only eat 3 oz before they fall asleep.
While it is tempting to put that half used bottle in the refrigerator and give it to them when they wake up, you should toss that 3 oz of formula. When your baby eats, some of the bacteria in their mouth will get into that formula which will spoil the leftover formula.
If you make a bulk pitcher of formula or premake your bottles, they can be used for up to 24 hours if refrigerated.
Tip 5: Wash your hands
This one is so simple. Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds (ABC song or Happy Birthday).
Before you make a bottle….wash your hands.
After you change a diaper….wash your hands.
Coming in from outside…wash your hands.
Washing your hands means that you wont transfer anything straight to your newborns mouth.
SCIENCE EXPERIMENT TIME!
We are going to see where contamination can occur when making a bottle! Fun to do with your older kid
You need:
1-2 packets of Grape KoolAid
Baby Bottles
Baby Doll (optional)
Powder formula or flour
Formula scoop or 1 TBSP measuring spoon
Water
Buy some Grape KoolAid powder (You can use any flavor, but we chose Grape).
Sprinkle the powder over your countertop, hands, inside of a bottle (to represent not having sanitized the bottle), and maybe some around the mouth of a baby doll, just like your newborn will have germs in their mouth which can contaminate the bottle.
Next make a pretend bottle! You can either use some expired formula and its formula scoop or use flour and a 1 TBSP measuring spoon. If you are using formula, follow the instructions on the can. If using the flour go to step 4.
Add 6 ounces of water and 3 tablespoons of flour to the bottle.
A few things to try or notice:
Try splashing some water on your counter to see what happens!
Notice what happens if you set the measuring spoon on the table.
Feed the baby doll (with grape powder on their face)
If you put grape powder in the bottle, how purple did the formula get? How purple does it get compared to just having a little from the babies mouth get into the bottle?
If you didn’t know that there was grape powder in the bottle, would you have even noticed? How does that relate to how small germs are…which is why we can’t see when they get into the baby formula.When you are done playing with the grape formula, clean up your bottles and see how good of a job you do!
I hope this has been informative! If you want more tips and experiments like this join our Facebook Group below!