Common Questions from Parents calling the Nurture Careline
(Disclaimer: this advice is general information only and is not intended to replace information given by your health professional)
Q. I am currently breastfeeding my baby but want to introduce formula. Which formula should I choose?
A. There are many advantages to breastfeeding your baby and introducing formula may affect your breast milk supply so please seek advice from your health professional before you begin formula feeding. The New Zealand Ministry of Health guidelines recommend choosing a cows' milk based formula. If your baby is under 6 months old choose a starter formula. Babies over 6 months can be given either a starter or follow-on formula. Please call our Nurture Careline 0800 55 66 66 to request a sample.
Q. What are the benefits of the 'gold' formula?
A. Nurture Gold Starter, Nurture Gold Follow-on and Nurture Plus Gold contain omega-3 and omega-6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCP's) in addition to all the other nutrients supplied by standard formula. Breastfed babies will have omega fats supplied in breast milk but they are not routinely added to infant formula. Omega-3 in particular may help with ongoing brain and eye development. The probiotic 'bifidus' is added to Nurture Gold Starter, Nurture Gold Follow-on and Nurture Gold Toddler. Bifidus is a beneficial bacteria associated with healthy gut function and immune development in babies.
The Nurture Gold formulas do not have a higher energy content than the standard formulas, and the overall protein, fat, and carbohydrate content is the same.
Q. My baby is on Nurture Starter but is now 6 months old, do I need to change to Nurture Follow-on?
A. If your baby is settled and growing well on Nurture Starter there is no need to change to Nurture Follow-on at 6 months. Follow-on formula is casein-dominant and has been designed to offer more protein and minerals (such as iron, zinc, iodine) for older babies, and therefore may be more satisfying. Whether baby is fed a starter formula or a follow-on formula from 6 months, food will need to be offered to baby in addition to formula, around 6 months onwards.
Q. My baby has reflux, what formula do you recommend?
A. Reflux is relatively common, especially in younger babies as it results from the muscle that holds the top of the stomach closed not working properly. If reflux is affecting your baby's breathing or growth, or is causing him distress it is important that you seek advice from your family doctor, who may prescribe medications to be added to your baby's formula. All formulas in the Nurture range are suitable for thickening or having medication added as prescribed. Nurture does not make a formula specifically for reflux. However, some parents find that a casein-dominant formula (such as Nurture Plus Gold) helps by forming a firmer curd in baby's stomach. Things like keeping baby upright after feeds, rolling on to his side to change nappies, loose-fitting clothing, and smaller more frequent feeds, may also help.
Q. My baby is on Nurture Starter and is growing well but seems hungry all the time. Am I giving him enough formula?
A. Generally if your baby has more than 6 wet nappies a day and is growing well he will be getting enough formula. On some days baby will be hungrier than on others. The suggested feeding guide on the Nurture can is a guide only and your baby may need more or less than the amount suggested. If your baby's growth is very rapid, or he tends to drink a lot of formula, you may wish to try Nurture Plus Gold which is specifically designed for hungrier, unsettled babies. If baby is around 6 months old you will also need to start offering solids after formula feeds. Babies over 6 months old may benefit from changing to a follow-on formula. Please see your health professional for specific advice.
Q. I have recently changed the formula I give my baby and she seems to be more unsettled (windy, spilling, change in bowel habits). Is this normal?
A. If you are at all concerned please have your baby checked by a health professional. However, it is not uncommon for babies to initially be unsettled when they change formula. This will usually resolve within a week or two once their digestive systems adjust. If possible, try and make the change between formulas gradual; for example, use the new formula for one feed on the first day, two on the second, and so on (see more information on this website under 'Changing formula')
Q. Since my baby started formula his poos have changed. Is this normal?
A. It is quite normal for a baby's bowel motions (poos) to change when starting formula. Introducing formula gradually will help prevent this from becoming a problem. In general, breastfed babies tend to have runnier and more frequent bowel motions while formula-fed babies have firmer less frequent bowel motions. Formula-fed babies may also have darker, or green coloured bowel motions. Often, changing formula will also change the colour and consistency of baby's bowel motions.
If your baby eats solids as well as formula this may also affect the colour and softness of his bowel motions. If baby has hard bowel motions try and increase the amount of fluid and fibre in his diet by including more water, fruit and vegetables.
Alternatively, if the bowel motions are too runny, try to reduce the amount of fibrous fruit and vegetables in their diet.
If the problem continues or you are at all concerned, have your baby checked by his health professional.
Q. I think my formula-fed baby is constipated. What should I do?
A. Your baby may be constipated if she strains to pass a bowel motion, and the bowel motion is dry and hard, like small round pellets. It is usually caused by baby not getting enough fluid. Use this checklist if you think your baby is constipated:
Constipation checklist:
- The first thing to do is check you are making up the formula correctly. Make sure you measure the water first, then add the powder. Take care to use the correct scoop, not to over-pack (e.g.tap and refill) the scoop, and level the top off correctly.
- Next, offer 50ml of cooled boiled water between formula feeds twice a day for a few days as well as baby's normal feeds.
- If there is still no improvement, then you may wish to offer a tablespoon of fruit juice, diluted in 50ml of cooled boiled water twice daily. This is a temporary measure only.
- If baby's constipation continues make sure you have your baby seen by her health professional.
Q. When can I give my baby cows' milk instead of formula?
A. Your baby needs to have breast milk or a suitable formula until he is 12 months old. After this you may wish to switch to a toddler milk or cows' milk. Food made from cows' milk, such as yoghurt and custard, can be given to your baby before he is 12 months old, but don't give cows' milk as a drink before 12 months as it is not nutritionally suitable.
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