Bottle feeding your baby is a common decision for most moms. It is a decision that may be pondered over for long periods of time as you want to make the right choice as to why you want to bottle feed rather than breastfeed. If you decide to bottle feed, your next dilemma will be what kind of formula is best for your baby.
The most common baby formula to use is the ready-made type. It is the most convenient as you can feed your baby its contents as soon as you open it. The downside is that you are paying for the convenience since ready-made formula is the most expensive type to buy. You can save money by using powdered formula. The great thing about powdered formula is that it is the easiest to store in its dry state as it doesn't require refrigeration. Once you have mixed it with water, it will need to be refrigerated.
Your next decision is whether to choose formula made from cow's milk or soy. Formula from cow's milk is the most popular choice. However, if your baby is lactose intolerant this is not the right option. In the case of lactose intolerance, you can try soy based formula. Soy in general has received bad publicity and is still controversial when it comes to long term consumption. Goat's milk is also another option for lactose intolerant babies. It contains lower levels of lactose and may be a good option if you are concerned about soy's effects. If goat's milk or soy based formulas still don't appeal to you, there are also cow's milk formulas that are lactose free.
Newer formulas now have DHA and ARA added to them. Both are found in breast milk and formulas containing them can be a plus for mother's who are concerned about baby formula benefits. Always consult with your pediatrician if you are unsure about which baby formula to give your baby. You can find out how each type may benefit or which ingredients may not be as important.
Another major concern about bottle feeding is how to handle it while traveling out of town. You will have to take into consideration whether your destination will have a refrigerator, a way to plug in necessities like a bottle sterilizer, as well as a way to have boiled water if you use powdered formula. These types of concerns will become second nature once you get used to the routine of bottle feeding.
One thing to also remember is that baby formula (particularly the ready-made type) can be rather expensive. Even if you choose to use powdered formula, traveling may require the need for keeping ready-made formula handy for times when you don't have access to boil water. You will need to keep a good supply of baby formula on hand at all times and this can put a huge dent into your budget. There are ways to save on formula by shopping for it in bulk or by using coupons for specific brands like Enfamil or Carnation.