The straight facts about bottle-feeding your infant

Although more than half of all North American women breastfeed 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 babies thrive on them. Here is what you need to know to make sure that happens.

Here is important information to consider when deciding to bottle feed:

• 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 breastfed infants do.
• They may gain weight more rapidly, although the breastfed babies will eventually catch up with them. On average, most babies double their birth weight in four to five months, and triple it by the time of their first birthday.
• Bottle-feeding requires more work than nursing as bottles, nipples and other equipment must be sterilized.
• Some formulas are premixed while 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.
• Any formula that is left in the baby's bottle after a feeding should be discarded.

Giving up the breast or bottle is a major milestone in a baby's development, but not one that should be rushed. When a woman stops nursing is largely a matter of personal preference. Similarly, some babies decide to give up their bottles themselves at nine or 10 months; yet others will still want it — especially at nap or bedtime. If a baby under a year old drinks from a cup, the liquid they drink should still be formula.

There are a number of options for women to consider with feeding their babies. Choosing what is right for you is what matters, but know the pros and cons of all the options before deciding.