7 Myths About Baby Formula Feeding

Many questions arise in the minds of parents who feed their babies with baby formulas, and finding clear answers to them is often quite challenging. We know that conscious parents want to take care of their babies as best they can. Therefore, we have discussed the most common myths about baby formulas that will surely calm you down and save you many sleepless nights.

1. Baby formula has more calories than breast milk

Baby formula has a very similar calorific value to breast milk. Colostrum, the food that the baby receives from its mother within 4-6 days after birth, has 48-64 kcal / 100 ml. The caloric content of mature breast milk is 65-75 kcal/100 ml, and that of baby formula is 65-70 kcal/100 ml.

2. You should switch to baby formula if your baby is gaining weight poorly

The reasons for the poor weight gain may be the following:

• the baby has problems with sucking;
• in the case of premature birth, the baby may be too weak to suck milk from the breast effectively, or it may get tired quickly and fall asleep without having eaten enough;
• some women (during severe stress, illness, or taking certain medications) may produce too little milk to meet the baby’s needs.

A pediatrician or lactation consultant who will examine the baby and interview the parents may order additional tests or assess the correctness of the breastfeeding technique to find the cause of poor weight gain.

3. Formula-fed babies gain weight faster

Babies properly fed goat milk baby formula or cow milk formula do not gain weight faster than those properly breastfed. “Properly” means not overfeeding the baby, which is one of the most common mistakes leading to babies getting fat.

When the baby’s weight increases appropriately, and during the meal the baby turns its head, pushes the bottle away or spits out the bottle nipple, it is time to stop feeding. The package of baby formula indicates the size of the portion, but the baby does not have to eat all of it provided it is developing properly.

4. Formula-fed babies should have their diet expanded sooner

Regardless of whether the baby is formula-fed or breastfed, it is recommended to start expanding the diet between the 17th week and the 26th week of his life. During this period, the reflex of removing foreign objects from the mouth, characteristic of the neonatal period and early infants, disappears. Besides, the babies reach musculoskeletal maturity, enabling them to acquire the skills of sitting with support, controlling head and neck movements, and eating from a spoon.

5. Formula-fed babies should be supplemented with water

There are no recommendations for supplementing formula-fed babies with water. The composition of infant formulas considers the specific nutritional needs of this period and fully meets the need for all necessary nutrients in the first 6 months of life. This recommendation applies to healthy children.

If the child is active, healthy, does not have any signs of dehydration (dry mouth, excessive drowsiness, or sunken eyes), and regularly urinates, there is no need for additional fluids. If your formula-fed little one is sick, has a fever, or it’s a hot summer, you can give him water to avoid “extra feeds.”

After six months, a child’s need for water is about 800-1000 ml per day and includes water present in food. 

6. Formula-fed babies sleep better than breastfed babies

The baby does not have to fall asleep while feeding. Other ways to calm down a baby may include rocking, a few-minute massage, or gentle music. Remember that hunger is not the only reason for waking up at night. Your little one has other needs apart from food and may wake up because it simply needs closeness, a sense of security, or the smell of a parent, or maybe it is just too warm.

7. To make the baby more full, you should thicken the formula

You absolutely must not do this. The baby formula should always be prepared according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Changing the proportions of the milk formula can lead to problems with the gastrointestinal tract (diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, etc.) and, in extreme cases, even kidney dysfunction. Too much of the formula will cause the baby to receive too much protein and minerals. Also, be careful not to add too much water to the baby formula. This, in turn, can lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies in the delicate baby’s body.