Now that Nora has been exclusively formula fed for 6 months, I’ve got a solid handle on all things formula feeding. I’ve written about my struggles with breastfeeding, but this post is a guide for the parent who needs the 411 (do people still say that?) on all things formula feeding, including the types of formula, must-have supplies, nice-to-have supplies, cleanliness tips, and how much this all costs (spoiler: it is a lot).

Formula

If you are formula feeding prior to 2 months old, you will want to stick to liquid or liquid concentrate. After 2 months old, most doctors give the okay to switch to powder. Of course, discuss with your doctor what is best for your baby.

Liquid – The easiest and most expensive of the three, liquid formula is ready to feed formula. No mixing, no adding water. Just pour in a bottle and feed. We exclusively used liquid formula for the first two months with Nora, and we still use it when we are out and about and need to feed her.

Liquid Concentrate – Also in a liquid form, but you need to mix with water. It takes a little bit more work but will save you some money versus the ready-to-feed option. For us, we wanted to make the first couple months as easy as possible, so paying the extra cash for the ready-to-feed was worth it for us.

Powder – The most cost-effective of the three, powdered formula is as described, it is a powder that you mix with water. It is important to fully incorporate the powder with the water so there are no chunks. Chunks can get stuck in the nipple which will result in a frustrated baby and parent. As mentioned above, most doctors recommend sticking to a liquid formula for the first two months, and then switching to powdered formula.

Water – It is recommended that you either boil the water prior to mixing with the formula or use natural spring water with less than 300 ppm of sodium. We opted for the latter due to convenience. Our time is worth the $3 we spend a week on the water.

Types – There are many types of formula: cow milk-based, goat milk-based, soy-based, organic, fortified with DHA, sensitive tummy, hypoallergenic, etc. The one you choose will depend on your baby and your preferences. For Nora, we feed her Enfamil A+ Gentlease, since she had an upset stomach on the non-gentle formula. You may have to try different types, and possibly get an allergy test, to see what formula works best for your baby. I don’t recommend stocking up until you know what formula works well for your little one.

Bottles & Nipples

Sizes – When it comes to bottle sizes, you have a few to choose from. The common sizes are 2 oz, 4 oz, and 8 oz. You can choose to use the big 8 oz bottle right from the start, or use more appropriately-sized bottles as your baby grows. We chose to go with the latter. For the first 2 months, we used 2 oz plastic Snappie bottles with the attachable nipple. We received these from the hospital when Nora was in the NICU, so we continued using them once we were home because Nora ate well from them.

At 2 months old we started using 4 oz bottles with a 3-6 month old sized nipple. At 5 months old we switched to the 8 oz bottle size and switched to the 6 month nipple recently. We do not plan on buying any more bottles or nipples since she will be off formula at 12 months and will be learning to use a sippy cup soon.

Types – When it comes to bottles, you have a lot of choices. Different brands, different materials, different features. Some bottles have a container at the bottom to carry powdered formula. Some are able to contain plastic inserts for easy clean up .

For us, we went the simple route and opted for the Philips Avent Glass Bottles with the natural nipple. We preferred glass over plastic due to durability and cleanliness. There is nothing wrong with using BPA-free plastic bottles, but given the amount of use the bottles get, I wanted the most durable material.

Quantity – For all bottle sizes, it really depends on how often you want to wash them. For us, once a day was reasonable.

When your baby is less than 3 months old, they eat very frequently, up to 12 times a day, so if you want to wash bottles once a day, you will need 12 bottles. Twelve bottles can be a little excessive when your little one starts eating more at one time and less frequently, but your call.

We used the 2 oz Snappies and we had about 20 of them, but still washed the used bottles once a day. If we hadn’t gotten these bottles for free, we definitely would have opted to use the 4 oz bottles and washed them more frequently.

For the 4 oz and 8 oz bottles, we purchased 6 of each and have found 6 is the right quantity for us. After 3 months, Nora started drinking about 6-8 bottles a day.

Accessories

Formula Maker – We love our Baby Brezza Formula Pro. It mixes, heats and dispenses powdered formula in 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 oz servings in a few seconds. It has made feeding a breeze. If you are exclusively formula feeding, or even doing it a few times a day, I highly recommend you look into getting a formula maker. Every mom I know who formula feeds loves their Baby Brezza. The initial cost upfront is worth the time it saves every day.

Bottle and Nipple Sterilizer – Sterilizing your bottles and nipples is important. We use the Philips Avent Microwave Steam Sterilizer. Simply pour 200ml of water into the sterilizer, wash the bottles with a brush and dish soap, put in sterilizer , microwave for 2 minutes, and hand dry bottles and nipples. This process takes about 10 minutes once a day. There are sterilizers that dry the bottles as well, but you are going to pay at least double for that feature.

Brushes – To clean the bottles and nipples you will need brushes. We tried a few different kinds and our favourite is the one with the large, flexible head that comes with a small brush for the nipples. We use the Parent’s Choice Nipple and Bottle Brush Set, which actually isn’t well reviewed but we haven’t had an issue. We replace the brush monthly for cleanliness.

Bottle Warmer – With the liquid formula, we were lucky that Nora liked it at room or fridge temperature. Some babies need to have their formula warmed, so you may want to consider getting a bottle warmer if you find the DIY method too time-consuming. With the powdered formula, Nora enjoys her bottle warmed with the Baby Brezza, but will still drink the liquid concentrate formula cold when we are out.

Drying Rack & Nipple Tree – A nice to have, but not a must-have for drying bottles. We were able to borrow a bottle drying rack and nipple tree. We used it while Nora was using the 2 oz bottles and going through 10-12 bottles per day. Once she started drinking more at one sitting, we simply would wash four bottles at a time, sterilize them (as noted above), and hand dry them.

Cleanliness & Safety

It is very important you prepare your formula in a sterile way. A babies immune system is so much weaker than ours.

Some things we do to ensure cleanliness and safety:

– Always wash your hands prior to mixing formula or cleaning and handling supplies.

– Use a dedicated brush for bottle cleaning only (not the same one you do dishes with).

– When cleaning accessories, such as a formula maker or sterilizer, use a dedicated sponge for cleaning. I keep a sponge that I only use for Nora’s supplies with her formula stash in a resealable bag (ensure sponge is dry before storing).

– Once your baby has drunk from a bottle with formula in it, the bottle must be finished within the hour or the rest of the formula will need to be discarded. This is due to their saliva getting into the bottle while drinking and potentially contaminating the rest of the formula.

– If making a batch of liquid concentrate formula, most can be stored in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to 24 hours. After 24 hours, discard the rest.

– Most liquid formulas once opened can be kept in the fridge for up to 48 hours.

– Always read your specific formula’s best handling practices on the packaging and follow them.



Now, all that being said, these are best practices, which means in a perfect, non-sleep deprived world these would all be followed. But we are human, and sometimes best practices have to settle for “this is the best I can do right now” practice. Have I ever forgot to buy spring water and used tap water instead? Yes, once. Have I ever fed my daughter from a bottle that was an hour and ten minutes old? Yes, many times. Have I ever fed her from a bottle that was washed, but not sterilized? Most definitely.

Cost

Formula feeding is expensive. Everyone’s expenses for formula will look different because it depends on what brand you use (organic vs regular, name brand vs store brand, etc), if you were able to borrow any items (bottles, sterilizer, etc), if you use formula feeding tools (like a formula mixer, sterilizer, bottle warmer), and if you do a combo of breastfeeding and formula feeding.

Here is what we have personally spent on exclusively formula feeding in the first 6 months:

Liquid Formula: $650 ($600 the first 2 months, plus extra case for outings for months 2-6)

for outings for months 2-6) Powdered Formula: $1200 ($300/month for months 2-6)

Bottles: $192 ($94 for 6 4oz bottles, $98 for 6 8 oz bottles)

Nipples: $72 ($8 per two-pack, 3 packs of 3 sizes)

Baby Brezza Formula Pro: $170

Bottle Sterilizer: $42

Brushes: $15 (six large brushes, used one month each)

Total: $2342

Formula is a modern miracle. If I had Nora a couple hundred years earlier, I would have had to hire a wet nurse to feed her, since my milk never came in. As a baby, I was formula fed because I had a surrogate mother, so my parents fed me formula. Formula allows parents to feed their baby who otherwise can’t or choose not to.

There is no shame in formula feeding. Fed will always be best.﻿