Breastfeeding is the first choice for all moms, but as children grow up, breastfeeding will not be able to meet their needs, whether it is the quantity or the nutritional needs. Therefore, at this point, many families will choose to feed their children with formula milk. So how long should children drink formula milk? I also want to know!
How long should children drink formula milk?
Experts suggest that babies generally need to drink formula milk until the age of three.
Before the age of three, children's immune system is relatively weak. If their nutritional intake is not sufficient, they will be more prone to illness. Formula milk has a more balanced nutrition, so it is best to continue drinking it until the age of three.
In some rural areas of China, children are still breastfeeding at the age of 2-3. These children are often weak and prone to illness because as they grow older, the nutrients in breast milk can no longer meet their needs for growth and development.
The correct method of preparing formula milk
1. Clean and sterilize the bottle
Before preparing formula milk, the bottle needs to be cleaned and sterilized. Clean the bottle and nipple separately.
Cleaning: Use a bottle cleaner or bottle brush to clean any residue on the bottle.
Sterilization: After washing, sterilize the bottle. The method can be boiling the bottle, nipple, and bottle cap in boiling water for 5 minutes.
2. Prepare warm water
The water temperature for preparing formula milk should be around 40 degrees Celsius, neither too high nor too low.
Water that is too hot can damage the nutrients (vitamins) in the formula, causing protein denaturation and inactivation, making it difficult to absorb.
Of course, different brands of formula milk may have different water temperature requirements, so it is best to follow the instructions on the formula milk can.
3. Measure and pour the formula into the bottle
After pouring the prepared warm water into the bottle, use the measuring spoon that comes with the formula milk can to measure the appropriate amount of formula and pour it into the bottle.
The size of the measuring spoon may vary for each brand of formula milk, so it is important to use the measuring spoon that comes with the formula milk to prevent the formula from being too diluted or too concentrated.
4. Shake the bottle to dissolve the formula
After pouring the appropriate amount of formula into the warm water, tighten the bottle cap and hold the bottle in your palm. Gently shake the bottle horizontally to allow the formula to fully dissolve in the water.
Taboos for consuming formula milk
1. Formula milk should not be mixed randomly
Some moms are always indecisive when it comes to feeding their children formula milk. They want to feed them with different brands, thinking that it will provide more nutrition for their children.
In reality, this kind of thinking and practice is not advisable.
Formula milk should be of reliable quality and should not be consumed randomly. To avoid causing discomfort to the baby's stomach, it is best to stick to one brand for a long time.
2. Formula milk should not be consumed excessively
As parents, there is always a worry that their child will not eat enough and will be hungry. In order to ensure that the baby gets enough nutrition and does not go hungry, some moms intentionally make the formula milk more concentrated and feed the baby more.
However, excessive consumption of formula milk will burden the baby's digestive system and may cause problems such as diarrhea and bloating.
3. Do not feed the baby formula milk when they have hiccups
When babies are feeding, they may swallow air along with the milk, causing hiccups and indicating the presence of excess gas in their intestines.
When the baby has hiccups, parents should stop feeding them formula milk and wait until the baby's hiccups subside before resuming feeding. Otherwise, it may cause food reflux and pose a danger to the baby.
