- Child, Youth & Family Health
- Before the Baby is Born
- Baby's First Year
- Preschool (1-3)
- School Age (4-9)
- Youth
- Child Health - General Topics
- Advisories, Warnings and Recalls
- Allergies to Food
- Bonding with Your Child
- Breastfeeding
- Bullying Prevention
- Child Care
- Child Immunization
- Children with Special Needs
- Discipline Your Child
- Family Visitor Program
- Formula Feeding
- Growth Charts
- Head Lice
- Healthy Children Info Line
- Mealtime Struggles and Prevention
- Oral Health
- Positive Parenting
- School Based Programs
- Weaning Baby or Toddler
- Healthy Living & Health Protection
- Advisories, Warnings and Recalls
- Air Quality
- Alcohol & Drug Use
- Alcohol Related Topics
- Drug Related Topics
- Drug Use, Drinking & Driving
- Effects of Alcohol & Drug Use
- Information for Parents & Youth
- Information for Professionals
- Prevention & Treatment Resources
- Pregnancy, Breastfeeding & Substance Use
- Profile of Those Who Drink & Use Drugs
- Safe Party Planning
- Where to Get Help
- Bed Bugs
- Cancer Prevention
- Dental Health
- Domestic Violence
- Emergency Medical Services
- Environmental Health
- Food Safety & Inspection Results
- Infection Control in Institutions
- Infectious Diseases
- Lyme Disease
- Nutrition
- Older Adults
- Physical Activity
- Rabies
- Safety & Injury Prevention
- Sexual Health
- Smoking
- Sun Protection
- Travel Health
- Water Quality
- West Nile Virus
- Workplace Health
- Clinics, Classes & Events
- Clinics
- Classes & Education
- Building on Your Strengths (B.O.Y.S.)
- CAN-BIKE
- Families & Schools Together (FAST)
- Food Safety Certificate
- Girl Time
- Growing Bodies Open Minds
- Growing Healthy Two-gether
- Me? Breastfeed?
- Nobody's Perfect
- Prenatal Classes for Youth
- Preparing for Parenthood
- Puberty Education Workshops for Teachers
- Routine Universal Comprehensive Screening
- Events & Health Fairs
- Research, Resources & Publications
- Partners & Professionals
Formula Feeding
Breast milk is the ideal food for a baby, and is recommended as the only food for the first six months (exclusive breastfeeding).
If it is not possible to feed only breast milk to your baby, infant formula based on iron-fortified cow's milk may be used to feed most babies.
Many different infant formulas are available. If you are considering using infant formula, call the Healthy Children Info Line at 519-883-2245 for information about what type of formula to feed your baby.
Things to Consider About Formula Feeding
- The kind of water used to prepare formula and where it came from.
- Safety issues concerning the source of water used to prepare formula (such as bacteria and nitrates in well water).
- The need to sterilize the water and bottles/equipment for the first four months if using ready-to-feed or liquid concentrate formula, and for as long as you are feeding powdered formula.
- Safe storage of formula.
Buying Formula
- Always buy infant formula with iron: look for "iron fortified" or "added iron".
- Check the package expiry date.
- Check the label for the type of formula (ready-to-feed, liquid concentrate, powder).
Types of formula
Infant formulas are available in three forms:
- Ready-to-feed formula: sterile product and no preparation needed. Usually the most expensive.
- Liquid concentrate formula: sterile product; water must be added. Follow mixing directions exactly. Usually the least expensive if bought by the case.
- Powdered formula: Water (at least 70°C) must be added; follow mixing directions exactly. Not recommended for use as it is not a sterile product and may be contaminated with bacteria. If used, follow suggested preparation guidelines.
Tips About Formula
- Cow's milk-based, iron-fortified formulas are recommended
- Soy formulas and other special formulas should only be used under the direction of a health professional.
- Once you have chosen a formula, continue to use the same type as it takes a baby time to adjust to a new formula.
- Follow-up formulas are not necessary. You may continue with the same iron-fortified infant formula for the first year of your baby's life.
- Formulas with added Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids cost more than other formulas and may or may not benefit baby. More research is needed.
Questions
- How to Sterilize Equipment
- How to Prepare Ready-to-Feed Formula
- How to Prepare Liquid Concentrate Infant Formula
- How to Feed Formula to a Baby
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I change my mind and want to breastfeed my baby?
Every situation is different; talk to your health care provider about your situation. If you have been feeding formula since birth, it may still be possible for you to breastfeed.
And if you started to breastfeed and stopped, it may also be possible to breastfeed again. This is called relactation.
Should I use powdered infant formula?
Powdered infant formula is not a sterile product and may contain germs that may make babies sick. In rare cases, it may cause death.
It is recommended that you DO NOT use powdered infant formula unless directed by your doctor. If you choose to use powdered infant formula, follow the guidelines for safer preparation and handling.
- Guidelines for Use of Powdered Infant Formula: Provides information about the risk of bacterial contamination from feeding powdered infant formula to babies, and provides guidelines to lower the risk.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines for the safe preparation, storage and handling of powdered infant formula are available in seven languages: English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Japanese and Arabic. For more information check the WHO Guidelines website.
How often should I feed my baby?
Every baby is different and needs to be fed when hungry, not at a scheduled time. Most young babies eat about every three hours, although some will become hungry sooner. For more information, go to the Feeding Your Baby section on the Infant Feeding page.
What are growth spurts?
- These are times your baby will grow more quickly.
- Your baby may need to feed more often and/or drink more formula at a feeding.
- They usually occur around three weeks, six weeks, three months and six months of age and usually last a few days.
When can I give cow's milk or vegetarian beverages to my baby?
- Whole cow's milk may be used once your baby is nine to 12 months of age.
- Cow's milk is low in iron so wait until your baby is eating sources of iron from foods such as iron-fortified infant cereal, meat, egg yolks or legumes.
- Whole milk (homo or 3.25%MF) should be offered until your baby is 24 months old.
- Do not give skim, 1 per cent or 2 per cent milk to your baby until after two years of age.
- Vegetarian drinks such as soy milk or rice milk should not be given to your baby until after two years of age.
Where do I get infant feeding help?
- Healthy Children Info Line, Region of Waterloo Public Health: 519-883-2245
Contact Us
For more information and to speak to a Public Health Nurse, please call the Healthy Children Info Line at 519-883-2245.
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