Newborn Feeding – Formula / Solid Foods
Formula Feeding
If your baby is bottle fed, we suggest Similac with Iron or Enfamil Lipil formula. It is available in several forms. The composition of each is the same when used as directed. Vitamins and iron are provided in the formula. The usual full term baby does not need extra vitamins. The formula is well tolerated at room temperature.
We prefer powder or concentrated liquid since ready-to-feed formula does not supply flouride. The concentrated liquid comes in 13oz. cans to mix in equal parts tap water and formula (1:1).
If the formula is prepared one bottle at a time and used immediately, sterilization is not necessary, provided the bottles and nipples have been washed throughly and sterilized in the dishwasher. A 24 hour supply can be prepared this way provided the bottles are kept adequately refrigerated.
Drinking water may be used directly from the tap without sterilizing.
Store bottles of formula in the refrigerator; remove when ready for use and place in a bottle warm or pan of hot (not boiling) water for a few minutes. Formula may be set out of the refrigerator before feeding and given at room temperature. Test the temperature of the formula by shaking a few drops onto the inside of your wrist. It should feel warm but not hot.
Nipple Holes
Testing nipples regularly will save time when you’re ready to feed your baby.
Nipple holes should be the right size to help the baby suck easily. When the nipple holes are the right size, warm milk should drip as rapidly as possible without forming a stream.
If the nipple holes are too small, the baby may tire of sucking before he/she gets all the formula needed. If the holes are too large, the baby gets too much formula too fast, and may not get enough sucking satisfaction.
To enlarge holes that are too small, push a red hot needle gently through from the outside. An easy way to prepare the needle is to put the blunt end in a cork and heat in the flame of a match or lighter.
If the nipple holes are too big, the nipple is worn out and should be thrown away.
Solid Foods
Any new foods should be offered initially once a day in small amounts of one or two teaspoonfuls. Offer the same food daily until the baby becomes accustomed to it. Don’t introduce new foods more often than every week or two. New foods are usually best accepted if fairly thin or diluted. The food is frequently pushed out of the mouth by the baby becasue he or she does not yet know how to swallow efficiently. Use a spoon small enough to fit easily in your baby’s mouth.
Foods will be introduced as directed by pediatrician.
- Rice Cereal – Rice cereal is excellent to offer the baby who has a large appetite early in life and is not satisfied with breast milk or formula. It will add significant amounts of iron to the infant’s diet. Other cereal may be introduced after rice, in any order.
- Vegetables – Begin vegetables before fruits because the sweet taste of fruits make the change to vegetables difficult.
- Fruits – Especially bananas and applesauce.
- Meats
- Orange Juice and Eggs – Not before 9 months of age.
If a more structured schedule is desired, consult the office.
