In Which Situations Can Formula Food Be Preferred?

How is Baby Food Prepared, How Many Hours Is It Given?

The question of how to prepare ready- made baby food is a subject that is very curious, especially by mothers who have just given birth. Because the fact that the milk seems to be low right after the birth pushes the mothers to use ready-made formula. It can only be used with the advice of a doctor. Because, although the milk that comes after birth may seem less to the mothers, it is often enough for the stomach capacity of the babies. As a matter of fact, if there is no deficiency in the baby's weight gain and he soils his diaper 4-5 times a day, it will be pointless to use ready-made formula. In the article we have prepared for you, we have compiled topics such as when formula is used, how to make ready-made formula for newborns, how many hours to give formula.

In Which Situations Is Ready Food Used?

While starting formula is a decision that should be taken only by the physician, the use of ready-made formula is unfortunately very common in our country. One of the main reasons for this is the interpretation that every cry of the baby is hungry. However, it should be noted that newborn babies do not cry only when they are hungry; gas pain, dirty gold and many other situations can be the reason for crying. However, if the baby cries, the families may panic and think that they are hungry and decide to start formula immediately. However, whether the baby is full or not can be understood by controlling the weight gain and looking at the frequency of soiling the diaper.

In cases where breast milk is reduced or stopped for both medical and psychological reasons, formula use can be started. When it is determined that the baby is malnourished during routine doctor's examinations, the doctor may decide to start formula. In that practice, breast milk is positioned as the main nutrient and formula is positioned as an auxiliary feeding method, and it is recommended that the baby be fed with breast milk as much as possible. At the same time, in cases where the mother has infectious diseases such as active tuberculosis, formula can be used temporarily until the disease is treated. In this process, milking should be continued in order not to cut off breast milk.

How Is Formula Baby Food Prepared?

So, how is formula food prepared? There are preparation instructions on the box of each food brand. By following these steps, you can prepare your baby's food in minutes. The preparation of most formula foods is as follows;

• Wash your hands first. Then sterilize the bottle and bottle cap. It is recommended to boil the bottle in water for 10 minutes before each use, especially for newborn babies. Be sure to choose a heat-resistant glass or quality hard plastic bottle.
• Then boil the drinking water and wait for it to cool down a bit. Formulas prepared with direct boiling water can reduce the nutritional value of the food. After the water is warm (about 60 degrees), put it in the bottle using the scale found in the food box, using the deletion calculation. Generally, 1 scoop of food is added to 30 cc of water. E.g; It is sufficient to add 2 measures of food to 60 cc water for newborn babies, and 4 measures of food to 120 cc water for 3-month-old babies. However, when preparing the food, be careful to base on the scales written on the box.
• Do not prepare the food too watery or thicker than it should be. This does not increase the nutritional value of the food, it causes your baby to be constipated or your kidneys to be overworked. Preparing too much water reduces the nutritional value. Therefore, be careful to prepare according to your doctor's recommendations and the instructions on the food box.
• Prepare formula just before feeding and do not leave it at room temperature for hours. Bacteria can multiply in foods that have been waiting for a long time.

Types of Baby Food

Baby foods are divided into various groups according to the raw material from which the formula is produced. It is necessary to follow the doctor's advice completely about which one to use. Because babies who are allergic to cow's milk cannot consume every food. Or babies with metabolic diseases need to be fed with special formula. If we examine the types of food;

Foods Produced from Cow's Milk: It is the food obtained by making some changes in cow's milk in order to provide nutritional balance and ease of digestion. However, it is not recommended for babies who are allergic to the proteins in cow's milk.

Soy-Based Foods: Formulas made from soy milk do not contain animal protein. Allergic babies can be used as it does not contain lactose. However, it is the least preferred type of food due to the GMO record of soy.

Goat Milk-Based Foods: Formulas produced from goat's milk are very rich in vitamins and minerals. It easily meets the baby's calcium and phosphorus needs.

Special Foods: Preferred for babies born prematurely, with congenital metabolic disease, allergies or very gassy babies. It should only be used with the advice of a doctor.

Considerations When Buying Formula Baby Food

• Your doctor should definitely make the decision to start baby food. Which brand you will use should be determined by your doctor according to your baby's needs.
• However, it should be noted that the baby food brand to be purchased must be approved by the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Agriculture.
• It is important that the formula taken is as close to breast milk as possible and does not contain aromas such as vanilla. Otherwise, the baby may refuse real breast milk.
• It is important that LC-Bufa, a fatty acid, is in the formula. For a strong immune system, formulas containing lactobacilli can be preferred.
• If you think the formula you started is causing constipation, diarrhea or any other adverse effects on your baby, you can ask your doctor to recommend a new brand.

How Many Hours Is Baby Food Given?

Newborn babies have a very small stomach capacity. In the beginning, 30 – 60 cc is usually sufficient. As the baby grows, the amount of food will increase in parallel. The table below can give you an idea about babies born at term and without any disease. However, the best decision will be made by the doctor who monitors your baby. Because the feeding period may differ in premature babies, babies with congenital metabolic disorders and babies whose weight is below/above ideal.

Feeding Frequency in Babies

Your Priority Should Always Be Breastmilk

As we mentioned above, the priority in infant feeding is always breast milk. Because breast milk alone meets almost all the minerals and vitamins that the baby needs until the 6th month. Moreover, it is easy to digest, thanks to the antibodies it contains, it protects the baby against infections. For this reason, you should only feed your baby with breast milk, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.