features
quizzes experts
If you've chosen to bottlefeed, you'll want to choose
the best formula for your child--a regular formula or perhaps soy
or a hydrolysate variety. Learn what to look for and how to prepare
and use it safely.
experts
When
should I switch my baby to toddler formula?
Q: My baby is
11 months old. To make sure that she gets proper nutrition, can I
keep her on formula even after she turns 1? Would keeping her on regular
formula be better than switching to toddler formula?
A: For breastfed babies, the nutrition in the breast milk changes
throughout the nursing experience. These changes happen gradually
over time. The infant formulas are designed to meet the nutritional
needs of most babies during the first year. In the second year, most
kids do better with a drink that isn't quite so rich. The fat content
and calorie content can go down, and toddler formulas are designed
to do that.
It's okay to
continue the infant formula, as long as it's not too many calories
for your baby. Formula will provide most of her nutritional needs
while she is experimenting with solid food. It's okay for her to eat
as much or as little as she wants in the way of solids. It will vary
day by day. To encourage solids, offer them at least three times a
day, preferably before a bottle.
For most kids,
it's best not to coax them to eat with moving the spoon like an airplane
or with music or sound effects. They have an internal mechanism that
tells them how much to eat that you want to keep intact. If you suspect
it is not intact or there are serious food allergies complicating
the picture, then it is usually best to work with a feeding specialist
to learn how to encourage feeding while still keeping the child's
motivation strong.
She may be fine
with 16 ounces of formula a day now. Or she may want 21 ounces--whatever
she seems to prefer in that range. At the one-year physical, you'll
get to see on the charts just how she is growing.
Your
should know:
The
information on this Web site is designed for educational purposes
only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical
advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose
or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your
pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any
questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your child's
condition.
Rebornne Baby. American Baby
