Formula milk: What you need to know

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Huynh Bao Toan - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital.

Infant formula is used when a mother is unable or unable to exclusively breastfeed her baby. So what is formula milk, how to choose baby formula? The following article will answer questions about formula milk for babies.
Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for babies in the first years of life. However, the milk glands in each mother are different, the amount of breast milk in a woman in the first months after giving birth does not always meet the needs of the baby. And when mothers are unable or unable to exclusively breastfeed, infant formula is a safe alternative that ensures adequate nutrition for babies in the first few years of life.

Formula milk (also known as Baby formula) or baby formula, is manufactured to be used as food for infants and children under 12 months of age. Formula milk has the same chemical composition of breast milk, so it can be used as a complete or partial replacement for breast milk.
Breast milk substitute is formula 1 (for babies from 0 to 6 months old) that closely resembles the nutritional composition of breast milk in order to provide the necessary nutrients for the baby's development. Formula 1 milk powder is currently provided in many different forms such as:
Milk powder: Usually mixed with water before giving to children; Liquid milk: Usually mixed with an equal amount of water; Ready-to-use milk: Usually more expensive than the above types of milk, can be given to children immediately without having to go through any processing steps.

Step 1: Wash cups, spoons, bottles, teats and boil them thoroughly in boiling water for 10 minutes. Step 2: Calculate the amount of formula your baby needs in one feeding. Step 3: Take the right amount of water according to the amount of milk calculated in step 2. Step 4: Use a measuring spoon to take the amount of powdered milk according to the instructions on the milk box, do not fill the spoon, but have to sweep the measuring spoon horizontally with a scraper. (clean knife or spoon handle).

Step 5: Mix baby formula with hot water about 40 degrees Celsius. If the water is too hot, it needs to be cooled down to a temperature equivalent to body temperature (37 degrees Celsius) and should not be fed immediately. Children should be fed slowly to avoid choking.

From birth to 1 month: 60 ml/time, 8-10 times/day, total milk volume is about 480 ml/day; From 1 month to 2 months: 90 ml/time, 7-10 times/day, total milk volume is about 630 ml/day; From 2 months to 4 months: 120 ml/time, 6 - 10 times/day, total milk volume is about 720 ml/day; From 4 months to 6 months: 150ml/time, 6-8 times/day, total milk volume is about 900ml/day.

The maximum time to use pre-mixed baby formula is 2 hours. The remaining amount of milk should be discarded, because it contains the baby's saliva, the milk can be contaminated with bacteria and is not convenient for storage.
Parents also do not allow children to reuse leftover milk more than 2 hours before to avoid infection, especially Crono bacteria, which can cause very dangerous diseases such as meningitis or blood infection....

The variety of baby formula products on the market today makes it easy for parents to find a suitable formula for their baby. However, it is important to know how to distinguish and choose the right products that children need. Parents can refer to how to choose infant formula to help choose the right milk for their baby. To avoid confusion and be at ease with the product they have chosen for their children, parents should note:
Check the label, product packaging is genuine or not; Carefully check the content of ingredients of baby formula including: protein, fat, DHA, ARA, vitamins... on the label to ensure that your baby not only develops well in height and weight. , but can also develop the brain, strengthen the immature immune system of the child - decisive factors in providing a child with a source of quality nutrition in the first years of life; Baby formula products manufactured based on international standards will be a highly reliable product. Therefore, parents should also choose products that have been recognized by nutrition and food safety organizations in terms of food safety, quality management, content criteria...;

It is advisable to learn and consult a nutritionist to have the necessary information about the nutritional needs of the baby as a basis for choosing formula milk for the baby. Especially mothers with babies born prematurely, with low birth weight or with gastrointestinal problems, need a special nutritional formula, choose the right products needed to help children catch up growth and develop well. .

Here are some issues parents need to keep in mind when using formula milk for babies:
How to prepare: Milk should be mixed with hot water, should not be heated in a microwave oven. Parents also need to be aware that milk that is too hot can burn the baby; Expiry date: Only use expired formula, if it is overdue, it should be discarded immediately, because overdue milk has reduced nutritional content, and can even cause illness for children; Storage: Parents need to carefully read the information on how to store baby formula listed on the product packaging, especially before opening the product. Properly storing the product after opening will help maintain the milk quality for a long time as well as ensure it is safe to use. Note that frozen storage of formula is not necessary as it will reduce the quality of the milk; Cleaning of milking equipment: bottles, pacifiers need to be cleaned before and after the baby's feedings. Homemade baby formula: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate or recommend that people make their own formula because it will not ensure nutritional content and safety for babies. ; Fake formula milk: Currently on the market, there are many fake baby formula products, so parents should be cautious when buying and should consult doctors and nutritionists for knowledge and advice. the right choice. One of the things to do to avoid buying fake milk is to read labels carefully. Avoid buying expired milk by mistake, fake labels of reputable brands, need to pay attention to the expiration date and information on nutrients; Milk color: always check the quality of the milk, if you see a change in color or have a strange taste, it should be discarded. Although breast milk is the best for babies, when conditions do not allow a mother to exclusively breastfeed her baby, formula milk can be used to ensure adequate nutrition, especially for babies. especially in the first years of life. Formula milk has advantages such as a variety of varieties to help parents have many choices; Breastfeeding does not depend on the mother, thus creating favorable conditions for the mother to return to work soon.
Doctor Huynh Bao Toan has 13 years of experience in the field of Pediatrics. Before being a neonatologist at Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital, he was the former Head of Pediatrics - Neonatology Department of Vinmec Phu Quoc International General Hospital