By Sr Teresa Hayward (RN, RM, Lactation Consultant, Infant & Paediatric Nutritionist, Baby Sleep Consultant)
TIPS FOR FORMULA FEEDING:
Are you formula feeding? Here are some tips for formula feeding that a lot of moms aren’t aware of.
I see on facebook moms asking advice from other moms about which is the best formula. The answer is there isn’t a “best formula” as every baby is an individual. As a trained infant and paediatric feeding specialist, I asses each baby as such and get them onto a formula that suits them
there isn’t a “best formula” as every baby is an individual
Do you know how to tell if your baby is on the right formula?
As a lactation consultant and a trained professional in infant nutrition my aim is to support and educate moms in any way they decide to feed their baby
Breast is best and should always be the first option but fed is also best.
If a mom makes a decision to formula feed her decision should be respected and she should never be made to feel guilty about doing so.
Breastmilk is designed specifically for that baby. Formulas unfortunately aren’t. As a feeding specialist, I am trained to find a formula that will be as close as possible to that’s babies nutritional and gastrointestinal needs.
The tin gives you a guideline table of how much your baby should be drinking. For example it will say 3rd and 4th week 125mls of water, 5 scoops of formula and 5 feeds a day. What does that mean?
That means that at that age your baby should be drinking 125mls of formula every 4hrs and only 5 bottles in the day.
5 bottles means that baby may have dropped a feed at night. It does not mean stretch them to 5hrs between feeds. It does however mean that they should not be exceeding 125 x 5 in a day.
125mls is an average amount – if your baby weighs 5kg at that age then they can be drinking 150mls x 5 feeds but if your baby weighs under 4kgs they will be drinking less than 100mls and can still be having 6 bottles
We work on their weight so weight x 150 / no of bottles
If baby is struggling with constipation, it is definitely the formula that is causing it
What is constipation – no poo for 7 days or poo is pellets
The formula contains too much iron or fat and your baby’s body cant digest it
It can also be a sign that baby is overfeeding or underfeeding
Don’t just put baby on a laxative, this will become a long term problem
If your baby is struggling with reflux or cramps it is the formula
It can be baby is drinking too much per feed
It can be baby is drinking more often than 4hrly
It can be that the formula is just the wrong formula for your baby
Don’t just Medicate – sort feeding out first before medicating
If you are feeding more often than 4hrs, then it means you are either overfeeding or it is a formula that is not sustaining babies hunger. Formula fed babies must be fed 4hrly as formula is designed to take 4hrs to digest. Feeding more often will cause cramps, constipation or reflux
If they are gaining more weight than they should, in excess of 300g per week, they are on a formula that has too high a lactose content or fat content for your baby or you are overfeeding baby. WE DONT WANT FAT BABIES! A fat baby is not a healthy baby.
There is also no such thing as a hungry baby – a baby that is not satisfied by the formula means that it is the wrong formula.
If you baby is generally miserable after feeds, then they need to be assessed for the right formula
If your baby is struggling with excessive winds, taking longer than 20min drinking on a bottle or falling asleep during feeds, then they are on the wrong teat or teat level.
FORMULAS MUST ONLY BE RECOMMENDED BY A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL TRAINED IN FORMULAS, NOT FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND FACEBOOK GROUPS WITH GOOD INTENTIONS AND NOT TRAINING. The reason is each formula is recommended on assessment of a baby who is an individual in their own right.
These are all indications of a feeding problem and can be sorted out with the correct advice and assistance by someone who specialises in Baby feeding. These are not Paediatrician problems
As a infant and paediatric feeding specialist, I am trained in both nutrition, feeding problems as well as all the formulas.
I run a Feeding clinic to help moms with these issues. I have had training in all the formulas so as I am able to get a baby onto the correct formula for them. Each consult will be 30min long and will be R350 and a full assessment including weighing is done (It can be claim back from Medical aid). Please inbox for me more info or to make an appointment or contact me on 0824009501.
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