PLAYING: Formula For Newborn Babies
Formula For Newborn Babies
Formula is often split up into two categories:
1. Baby or infant formula ‘From Birth’
Also often referred to as a “Starter Infant Formula” or a number or stage “1”. Starter baby formulas contain all the essential vitamins and minerals that a baby will need up until around 6 months of age – when solid foods are introduced. Once solids are introduced, your baby moves on from a single source of nutrition (breast milk or baby formula) to an increasingly diversified diet. A starter baby formula can be started from birth and can continue through to 12 months of age, or alternatively until 6 months when you can change to a follow-on formula if you wish.
2. Follow-on Formula ‘From 6 months’
Also often referred to as a number or stage “2”. A follow-on formula can be started from 6 months of age and continued until 12 months. It has a slightly different nutrient profile to a starter baby formula, as older infants have slightly different nutritional requirements and have started to receive other nutrition through solid food.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Breast milk is best for babies and provides ideal nutrition. Good maternal nutrition is important for the preparation and maintenance of breastfeeding. Introducing partial bottle feeding could negatively affect breastfeeding and reversing a decision not to breastfeed is difficult. Professional advice should be followed on infant feeding. Infant formula should be prepared and used exactly as directed or it could pose a health hazard. The preparation requirements and cost of providing infant formula until 12 months of age should be considered before making a decision to formula feed.
