Ready to Feed Infant Formula
Ready to feed infant formula is the easiest type of formula to prepare. It comes packaged so that all you do is have to pour the formula into your baby’s bottles. There is no mixing or measuring required making it very convenient for parents to feed their baby. You can even pour the formula into a bottle based on the exact amount that you need, using as much or as little as you need for each feeding. However, this type of formula is more expensive per ounce and takes up more storage room in your pantry. Once you open a can of ready to feed formula you have to use it all within 48 hours. After 48 hours, the formula needs to be poured down the drain and should never be given to your baby. Refrigerate any unused formula once it has been opened. Once you begin feeding your infant, you can leave the formula sitting out for up to an hour before it needs to be discarded. If you have ever looked at the color of this formula, it is pretty dark so it is more likely to stain your baby’s clothes.
Liquid Concentrate Formula
Liquid Concentrate Formula is a condensed version of liquid formula. This formula has to be mixed with equal parts of liquid formula and water. Compared to powdered formula this type of formula is more expensive but it is cheaper than the ready to feed formula. When mixing the formula it is very important to follow the directions on the label so that your baby is getting the right amount of calories. Adding Too much concentrate would add additional calories to your child’s bottle and adding too much water would make the formula to thin and would decrease the amount of calories that your infant needs. Once you open a can of liquid concentrate formula you have to use it all in 24 hours. After 24 hours, the formula needs to be poured down the drain. Once you begin feeding your infant, you can leave the formula sitting out for up to an hour before it needs to be discarded.
Powdered Formula
Powdered Formula is the most popular choice of formula among parents because it is the most cost effective way to feed your baby. You can easily prepare how much or how little formula that you need during each feeding. It does take the most amount of work to make each bottle because you have to carefully measure out the correct amount of formula to water ratio so that your child is getting the right amount of calories per ounce. Always follow the instructions on the back of the can when preparing a bottle for your baby. Once a can of powdered formula is opened it needs to be thrown away after one month. You can also prepare bottles ahead of time so that they are already ready when your infant is ready to eat. If you prepare bottles ahead of time, you need to refrigerate them immediately after making them and they have to be used within 24 hours. If you like to stockpile large amounts of formula, always check the expiration date on the can before giving it to your baby. If the formula is expired do not feed it to your infant. They even make infant formula dispensers to carry in the diaper bag for you to store a small amount of formula in so that your baby gets the right amount of formula without having to carry around a huge can of formula. Make sure that you toss the formula in the dispenser if it has been in the diaper bag unused for one month.
What type of formula did you feed your baby?
Comments
14 responses to “Choosing the Right Type of Infant Formula for Your Baby?”
I hated switching from nursing. But I did try a few different powdered that were prrretty gentle on my babys’ tummies, but nothing like nursing. Now one thing I did not get around to trying was liquid.
And oh goodness — the ready to feed, by the time I discovered them with my second baby, were so convenient! I couldn’t believe it. lol!
Rhonda I am thankful that I didn’t have to use any infant formula for my children. I did use a tiny amount while in the hospital with my youngest because no matter how long he ate at the breast, it wasn’t enough. After my milk came in, I had no further issues.
Hi Christy,
Nice write up on the various kinds of formulas – brought back good memories of when my kids were that young 🙂
Oh yes…you need to wean off your kids and put them onto formula, and whichever one you choose, make sure it’s a good one for your child – health-wise.
What my Mom always told me was to give them the last feed of a formula one and not breast feed – so that their tummies are full all night through and they don’t wake up to trouble you through the night. This little tip has helped me always when I was raising my 2 kids.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Yes, I have heard adding cereal to their formula helps them sleep longer. I never tried it because I breastfed my babies. But I always recommended moms to check with their child’s doctor before adding cereal to a bottle.
I tried them all. Hated the powder. My favorite of course was the ready to feed.
The powder does seem more of a pain but it is the least expensive.
There are so many different formula options out there now. Great information to help clarify what is available!
Yes, there is way too many choices for parents. I am thankful I never had to choose one.
My husband wanted to use generic but I refused. I tried which worked best for my kids – in the end I just got the one with the best coupons that week.
I have heard that generic formula is just as good as the brand name, it is all approved by the FDA and is monitored. I respect your decision, as brand recognition is very important to some moms. Always do what feels right. 🙂
I planned to breast feed my kids, too. It didn’t work for the first one. I was able to transition to formula because my long-time breastfeeding friend supported me in the transition. Moms need to judge less and encourage more. This is a great post.
Its tough when you give it your all to breastfeed and it just doesn’t work out. I try my best not to judge mom’s for their decision.
As much as Mayor Bloomberg’s crack down on formula moms gives me great nursing cover sales in New York, I still think moms have to make these decisions on their own, and deal with the situations that present themselves. Great info on the formula choices.
I agree Courtney, there is a bigger push for breastfeeding over the last several years and I think it is great. But mom’s still need to have options, in case breastfeeding doesn’t work out.