http://www.healthguidance.org en-us http://www.healthguidance.org N/A admin@healthguidance.org Sun, 11 May 2008 16:50:22 PDT 20 http://www.healthguidance.org/blogs/2/Collections.html Collections Tuberculosis-Why You Should Be InterestedWhat You Ought To Know About Your Baby-I-IIBaby's First Few Months-III-VIIIWhat You Ought To Know About Your School-IX-XIIf Your Baby Had Scarlet Fever-XII-XV           Jason Ladock Fri, 09 Nov 2007 00:00:00 PST http://www.healthguidance.org/blogs/1/First-Weeks-at-Home--Formula-Preparation.html Formula Preparation There are dozens of formulas and almost as many recommended methods of preparation. Here is one method that is easy to use in most homes. It is quite inexpensive and very convenient. To use it you must have a refrigerator that works and pure water from a good public water supply. Equipment Needed ^  Nursing bottles with caps. 6 to 8 8-ounce bottles, or fewer if you wash them more than once a day. Get the boilable, plastic ones. They cost a little more than glass bottles, but they will save you from breaking and spilling. ^ Nipples. 1 for each bottle with a few spares. The ones made of silicone will last longer. ^ A bottle and nipple brush. What to Do Use a concentrated prepared infant formula containing vitamins and iron. There are many brand names. These formulas come in 13-ounce cans and are sold at drug stores and supermarkets. They usually cost about the same as a quart of fresh milk. • Use bottles, caps and nipples that have been washed in clean water and dishwashing soap or detergent. (Wash them first when you do the family dishes.) Use a bottle brush. Squeeze water through the nipple holes to be sure they are open. Rinse them well so that all soap or detergent is gone and let them stand in a rack to dry. • When you wish to prepare a feeding, clean the top of the formula can with soap and water. Rinse it. Open the formula can with a clean punch-type (beer can) opener. When you have poured out the necessary amount, cover the can with fresh foil or plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator. • Pour formula from the can directly into the feeding bottle. Use the markings on the bottle to measure just one-half as much formula concentrate as the total amount of formula you want in the bottle. If you want 4 ounces of formula to feed, use 2 ounces of formula concentrate. If you want 6 ounces of formula to feed, use 3 ounces of formula concentrate, and so on. • Add to the bottle an equal amount of fresh water directly from the tap. Put on the nipple and cap. No warming is necessary. Babies take cold formula as well as warm. • Feed the formula within 30 minutes of the time it is made. If it is not used up within about an hour, throw it out and start again with a fresh, clean bottle. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS If you use water from a well or pump or from a water supply that is not regularly inspected, boil each day's supply of water for 20 minutes, pour the boiling water into a clean jar and keep it covered in the refrigerator for use in making formula. Wash and clean the water jar daily. If you do not have a refrigerator that will keep milk cold, use powdered formula containing vitamins and iron. Prepare formula by pouring safe tap water or cooled boiled water into the nursing bottle and adding one level tablespoon of powdered formula for each 2 ounces of water. (The measure that comes in the formula can is 1 tablespoon.) Two tablespoons or measures make 4 ounces, 4 measures make 8 ounces, etc. Put on the cap and nipple, shake the bottle well until the powder is dissolved. Feed the formula within 30 minutes. Throw out any formula that is not fed within about an hour. The can of powdered formula should be covered, but it need not be refrigerated. If you are breast-feeding and need only an occasional formula feeding, powdered formula is especially convenient and inexpensive. Ready-to-feed formula in disposable nursing bottles is also available and convenient, but costs much more. WHAT NOT TO DO However you prepare formula, by one of the methods above or by one of the many other methods which may be recommended by your doctor, nurse or clinic: ^ Don't feed formula which was left at room temperature in a nursing bottle or open can for more than about an hour, or in the refrigerator for more than 3 days. Germs multiply rapidly in warm milk. ^ Don't feed any formula without reading instructions on the can or bottle. Some formulas are sold ready to feed and should not have water added to them. Powdered formulas are mixed one tablespoon of formula for each 2 ounces of water. Most concentrated liquid formulas are mixed half and half. Be sure you know how your formula should be prepared. ^ Don't give added vitamins or iron if you are using a prepared infant formula unless these are specifically prescribed by a physician who knows that you are feeding a vitamin- and iron-containing formula. ^ Don't expect much change in bowel habits, spitting up, or other symptoms by changing from one brand or type of formula to another. Jeff Beaumont Tue, 13 Feb 2007 00:00:00 PST