Infant Formula

• Infant formula is a food designed to feed babies and infants less than 12 months of age who cannot or should not receive breast milk
• Infant formula is made from cow’s milk or soy protein that has been modified to resemble breast milk in terms of nutrients, calories, and composition



 

• Infant formula has some disadvantages compared to breast milk, such as:

  • It does not contain antibodies, hormones, enzymes, or growth factors that protect the infant from infections and promote development

  • It is more expensive, less convenient, and less environmentally friendly than breast milk

  • It may increase the risk of allergies, asthma, diabetes, obesity, and other chronic diseases in infants

  • It may cause more digestive problems, such as constipation, gas, spit-up, diarrhea, or colic in infants

• Infant formula comes in three forms: ready-to-use, liquid concentrate, and powdered

  • Ready-to-use formula is the most convenient but also the most expensive. It does not need to be mixed with water and can be fed directly to the infant after opening

  • Liquid concentrate formula needs to be mixed with equal parts of water before feeding. It is cheaper than ready-to-use formula but still more costly than powdered formula

  • Powdered formula is the cheapest and most widely used form of formula. It needs to be mixed with a specific amount of water according to the instructions on the label. It can be stored for longer periods of time than the other forms of formula

• Infant formula should be iron-fortified to prevent iron deficiency anemia in infants

• Infant formula should be prepared and stored carefully to prevent contamination and spoilage

  • Formula should be prepared with clean water that has been boiled for one minute and cooled before mixing

  • Formula should be mixed well to avoid clumps or air bubbles that can cause choking or gas in infants

  • Formula should be fed to the infant within one hour of preparation or refrigerated for up to 24 hours

  • Formula should not be microwaved as it can cause hot spots that can burn the infant’s mouth or throat

  • Formula should not be reused or rewarmed once it has been fed to the infant as it can harbor bacteria that can cause illness