When You Feed Me Formula

Getting ready Keep my bottles and nipples clean

• Washmybottles,nipples,andringswithabottlebrushinhotsoapywater.Rinse well.

Until I am 3 months old:• Afteryouwashmybottles,nipples,and

rings,puttheminboilingwaterfor5minutesorwashthemonthetoprackofthedishwasher.Letthemcool.

Use safe water for mixing my formula• Usecoldtapwaterorbottledwater.Hottap

watercouldhaveleadinit.Until I am 3 months old:• Boilthewateronthestoveforonly 1 minute.

Letitcooltoroomtemperature.

A helpful

guide to

feeding your

baby formula.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Developed by the California WIC Program,California Department of Public Health.1-800-852-5770

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor, State of CaliforniaKimberly Belshé, Secretary, California Health and Human Services AgencyMark B Horton, MD, MSPH, Director, California Department of Public Health

When You Feed Me Formula, Pub 910182, (12/08)

I will drink about this much formula each time:Birth to 2 months: 2 to 3 ounces2 to 4 months: 3 to 4 ounces4 to 6 months: 4 to 6 ounces6 to 8 months: 6 to 8 ounces8 to 12 months: 4 to 6 ounces

Iwillnotalwaysdrinkthesameamountofformulaateachfeeding.

How much to feed me

Mystomachisverysmall(aboutthesizeofmyfist).Ineedyoutofeedmeoftenbutonlyinsmallamounts.• Neverforcemetofinishmybottle.Icouldgeta

stomachache,vomit,orgaintoomuchweight.• WhenIamfull,Iwillstopsucking,turnmy

headawayfromthebottle,orfallasleep.• Itisnormalformetospitupalittleformula.If

Ispitupalotaftereveryfeeding,talkwiththedoctorortheWICcounselor.

WICmaynotprovidealltheformulathatyourbabyneeds,especiallyafteryourbabyis6monthsold.Thishandoutappliesonlytohealthy,full-termbabieswhodrinkregularformulas,notspecialortherapeuticformulas.

Avoidclear,hardplasticbottlesmarkedwitha7or“PC”(polycarbonate)onthebottom.Throwoutmybottleswhentheygetoldandscratched.

Which type of baby bottle is the best?Thebestbottlesareeither:• Glassor• Flexible,milky-colored

plastic(polyethyleneorpolypropylene).

Warning:Add the right amount of water! Too much water or not enough water is dangerous for me! I could get very sick or not grow well

Keep my formula safe• Keepthecanofpowderedformulainacool,dryplace.

Keepconcentratedformulaintherefrigeratoraftermixing.• Aftermixingmyformula,feedmerightawayorkeepitin

therefrigerator.After24hours,throwitaway.• Donotkeepformulaatroomtemperatureformorethan

1hour.Throwoutformulaleftinmybottleafteryoufeedme.• Only put formula or breastmilk in my bottle.Donotput

cereal,babyfoods,honey,juice,orotherliquidsinmybottle.

How to mix my formulaWash your hands first.Makesurethecanopenerisclean.

Powder1 Beforeyouopentheformulacan,rinseand

drythecanandtheplasticlid.2 Measurethewaterandputitinmybottle

first.Forevery2ouncesofwaterinthebottle,add 1levelscoop(notpacked)ofpowderedformula.

3 Shakethebottlegentlyorstir.4 It’sbettertomixeachbottleofpowderedformularightbeforefeedingme.

Concentrate1 Beforeyouopentheformulacan,shakeit,

rinseit,anddryit.2 Pourthecanofformulaintoacleancontainer.

3 Fillthecanwithwaterandaddittotheformulainthecontainer.

4 Mixandpourintobottles.5 Oryoucanmixequalamountsof

concentratedformulaandwaterinmybottle.

Do NOT prop my bottle!

How to feed me

Hold me close• Alwaysholdmeclosetoyouwhen

youfeedme.Ineedlove,closeness,andattention.

• HoldmewhileIdrink,evenifIcanholdmybottlebymyself.

• Neverputmetobedwithmybottle,propmybottle,orleavemealonewithit!Icouldchoke,spitup,getearinfections,orgettoothdecay.

Keep me comfortable• Youcanwarmmybottleinasmallbowlof

hotwater,thenshake it.Do not heat my bottle in the microwave!Hotspotscanburnmymouth.

• Makesurethenippleholeistherightsize.Whenyouholdmybottleupside-down,theformulashoulddripoutataboutonedroppersecond.

• Youmightneedtotryadifferenttypeofbottleornippletoseewhatworksbestforme.

• Keepmyheadhigherthanmychest.Tiltmybottleupsothenipplestaysfullofformula.Letmestopsuckingoftentotakeabreak.

• Burpmeduringeveryfeeding.ThisbringsuptheairthatIhaveswallowed.