The alternative to breast milk is an infant formula. The mother should consult health care professionals in choosing the best type and brand for the baby’s specific needs. Infant formulas must be prepared and stored safely to protect the baby’s health.
Babies can start eating solid food when they are 4 to 6 months old. Solid food should be introduced little by little. The baby’s specific diet should be planned with the help of health care professionals. Doctors might recommend vitamin supplements or dietary changes for underweight or overweight infants.
For most babies, the healthiest food is their mother’s milk. Here are some of the advantages of breast milk from a healthy mother:
- Strengthens the infant’s immune system
- Provides complete nutrition for the infant
- Is easier for the infant to digest
- Helps low birth weight babies gain weight faster
- Costs much less than infant formula Infant formula is also healthy for infants when it is prepared and stored correctly. Here are some rules for safe bottle feeding.
- Sterilize all bottles and nipples before use.
- Formula should be mixed only with water that has been boiled. Boil the water for at least two minutes. After the water has cooled to warm, mix with the formula.
- Mix the formula in the correct proportions.
- Keep prepared formula in the refrigerator. Use within 48 hours.
- Warm the refrigerated formula before feeding the baby. Whole milk is not good for infants. It should not be part of a baby’s diet until sometime around the first birthday.
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