that he’ll reject formula than the other
way around, says Dr. Grant. The more
common issue is that a baby will start
to prefer a bottle to a breast because
the liquid comes out faster, with
less work, so you may want to start
with a slow-f low nipple.Organic formula is so
expensive, but I worry I’m making
a mistake by not buying it.
You’re not at all. “If you feel the need
to buy organic and you can afford it,
go for it. But all formula has to meet
FDA standards, and remember, for
something to be labeled organic, only
some of the ingredients have to be
from organic sources. It doesn’t mean
that every ingredient is,” says Barton.
The calorie counts (the standard being
19 to 20 calories per ounce) and the
ingredients will be pretty identical
across the board.Okay, but then there are
sensitive and gentle formulas too.
What’s up with those?
The milk proteins in formulas labeled
gentle or sensitive are partially broken
down into smaller molecules. “It’s like
predigested formula,” says Barton. If you
notice she’s gassy or frequently spits up,
there’s no harm in trying them out. And
yes, you can mix and alternate with the
formula you already have on hand.How will I know if my baby is
allergic to milk-based
formula and needs soy? He’s spitting
up a lot, and his poop reeks.
Spitting up and stinky poop can be
completely normal. But if your baby
is spitting up very large amounts, it
looks forceful (like vomiting), and
he isn’t gaining weight, you might be
dealing with an allergy, significant
ref lux, or other, more serious issues,
such as a blockage. Two other
telltale signs of a milk allergy include
severe eczema on his face or in
the creases behind his elbows and
knees or blood in his stool. If you
notice any of these symptoms, call
your child’s pediatrician.Is mixing formula with tap
water okay?
It’s recommended that you follow
manufacturing instructions on the
formula label to prepare powder formula.
The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) recommends boiled
and cooled water if an infant is less than
3 months old. After that, anything goes.
“No water supply is 100 percent clean.
I tell parents to use a pitcher with a filter,
if they want,” says Dr. Grant. But tap
water is fine unless you know your
community’s water has a lead problem.My baby drank half a bottle
and fell asleep, and now
I’m pouring money down the drain.
Sorry, but that’s probably the right
move. Formula spoils quickly, and
bacteria can form from your baby’s
saliva that’s gotten in from the nipple.
Here are the rules to play by: If your
baby drinks from it, the bottle should
be finished within one hour. After that,
toss it. If you make a bottle, and she
suddenly falls asleep and doesn’t touch
it, put it in the refrigerator for up to
24 hours and rewarm it later, using
the same one-hour rule once she
starts drinking.When I know I’m going
to be out all day, I bring powdered
formula and a bottle of water
to prepare bottles, but I worry that
the ratios are off.
Even storage containers that hold
premeasured amounts of formula can
be tricky to dump and shake into the
narrow opening of a bottle, especially
when you’re sitting on the bleachers of
your older child’s soccer game. If you
need something foolproof, Barton loves
ready-to-use liquid formula that you
can simply pour directly into a bottle
or top with a nipple—no stirring
required. You can also get single-serve
packets of formula (they look like
the powdered lemonade f lavoring you
might add to your own water bottle),
which can be pricey per serving
but will likely be easier to open and
ON MOM: SHIRT, FRAME. ON BABY: BOBO CHOSES. mix while on the go.