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Do You Know the Basics of Bottle-Feeding?
by Mary Silva, M.S., R.D.
reviewed by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P.
Of all the everyday duties that revolve around newborns, some might consider bottle-feeding among the easiest. It's certainly a breeze compared to pinning a cloth diaper on a wriggling infant, right? Well, you might be surprised--there's more to Baby's mealtime than often meets the eye, and much of it involves his safety. Take this quiz to find out just how informed you are when it comes to feeding formula to your infant.
- You can avoid wasting formula by
a. immediately refrigerating any leftover formula in the bottle after feeding your baby
b. using powdered formula and making only as much as your baby will drink
c. making formula a week in advance
- A bottle of formula can be left unrefrigerated for
a. one hour
b. two hours
c. 15 minutes
- To heat up formula, it's best to
a. put the bottle in a warm-water bath on the stove
b. use the microwave oven on a low setting
- If you let your baby sleep with a bottle, he will
a. learn how to hold the bottle on his own
b. be more likely to get ear infections and/or dental caries
c. learn to take care of his own needs by drinking when hungry
- Adding cereal to a bottle will not
a. increase your baby's chances of suffering an allergic reaction
b. cause fewer spit-ups
c. increase your chances of getting a good night's rest
- "Low iron" formula is good for
a. nothing
b. babies who have allergies
c. babies who often cry from discomfort or seem constipated
Answers
- B. Any formula that's left in the bottle after feeding time should be thrown out because it has been contaminated by the germs in your baby's mouth. Also discard formula that's been mixed for longer than two days.
- A. It's OK for one hour; any later and bacteria may grow in the bottle, which can potentially cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or fever.
- A. Microwave ovens heat unevenly and cause hot spots that can burn your infant's mouth. In addition, microwaved glass bottles can explode, and plastic bottles, liners or nipples can melt.
- B. Don't ever allow your baby to sleep with a bottle--it has been clearly proven that he will be more likely to develop ear infections and cavities.
- C. Adding cereal does not help a baby sleep longer (and allow you to get more shut-eye). And introducing cereal too early can, in fact, increase the likelihood of an allergic reaction. However, babies who spit up a lot do sometimes benefit from the addition of cereal to formula.
- A. There is no real role for low-iron formula.
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Created April 22, 2001
Reviewed August 15, 2004
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