sci-eng

Although more than half of all North American women breast-feed for at least the first few weeks, many mothers elect to bottle-feed. They should be assured that commercial formulas provide all the essential nutrients and, when used according to the manufacturers' instructions, babies thrive on them. Choosing an iron-fortified formula is recommended. Babies under one year of age should not be given regular cow's milk because it is difficult for them to digest and may provoke an allergic reaction. The cow's milk in most infant formulas is modified to make it easier to digest. Despite this precaution, some babies may require a soy or rice formula.
Generally, bottle-fed babies consume more than breast-fed F': infants do; they may gain weight more rapidly, although the breast-fed babies will eventually catch up with them. On average, most babies double their birth weight in 4 to 5 months, and triple it by the time of their first birthday.
Bottle-feeding requires more work than nursing; bottles, nipples, and other equipment must be sterilized. Some formulas are premixed; others are concentrated or powdered, and must be mixed with sterile water. Formula mixed in advance should be refrigerated, but not longer than 24 hours; after that, it should be dis¬carded. Any formula that is left in the baby's bottle : after a feeding should be discarded; if not, there is a j possibility of its being contaminated by microorganisms entering through