Having a baby can be expensive, but there are ways to cut down on your expenses. When you become overwhelmed, remember this: if you waited until you had enough money, time and energy to have your baby, you would probably never have children. Here are a few ways to ease the strain on your budget, so that you can enjoy your new bundle of joy.

1. Health Insurance. This is one area which is a HUGE concern. Yes, insurance can be expensive, but you will need it. You simply can not afford to cut this cost from your budget. You can reduce insurance costs by checking into HMO policies which have lower premiums and out of pocket expenses. Many states have free shot clinics which can help lower your expenses. If you can’t afford to carry insurance, see if your state has insurance for people in your situation. Many states will cover insurance premium costs if your income is under a certain level.
2. Breastfeed your baby, if possible. If you can’t breastfeed, there are ways to save money on formula. Try to apply for WIC (Women , Infants, and Children), a program designed to help middle and low income families with educational resources and food. You can also save money by buying formula in bulk, clipping coupons, and accepting free samples whenever they are offered. Check with your doctor to see if you can feed your infant a generic formula.
3. Diapers. Store brand disposable diapers can be just as good as the name brand, for several dollars less than their name brand counterparts. Experiment until you find a store brand that works for you and your baby. Clipping coupons also can help to lower diaper expenses.
4. Baby food. You can save a lot of money buy making your own baby food. You can use a blender or a baby food grinder to grind table food for baby. Simply put the puree into an ice cube tray and freeze. Then place the cubes in a labeled freezer bag. When your baby is hungry, you can microwave the food cubes.
5. Clothing. There is no need to buy expensive designer clothing for you little one. You can get most of your baby clothing at yard sales or second-hand stores. If you have a neighbor or friend with slightly older children, ask if she would be willing to send some “hand me downs” your way. Remember that many discount stores also sell inexpensive clothing.
6. Toys. Don’t feel pressured to get the latest and most expensive models. I remember buying expensive toys for my first child one Christmas only to find that she spent the entire day playing with boxes and wrapping paper. Kids don’t need a lot of toys; quality is more important than quantity.

What other suggestions do you have for reducing baby expenses?

Author: Michelle Schaefer

by Rebecca D. Williams and Isadora Stehlin

New parents want to give their babies the very best. When it comes to nutrition, the best first food for babies is breast milk.

More than two decades of research have established that breast milk is perfectly suited to nourish infants and protect them from illness. Breast-fed infants have lower rates of hospital admissions, ear infections, diarrhea, rashes, allergies, and other medical problems than bottle-fed babies.

“There are 4,000 species of mammals, and they all make a different milk. Human milk is made for human infants, and it meets all their specific nutrient needs,” says Ruth Lawrence, M.D., professor of pediatrics and obstetrics at the University of Rochester School of Medicine in Rochester, N.Y., and spokeswoman for the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Health experts say increased breast-feeding rates would save consumers money, spent both on infant formula and in health-care dollars. It could save lives as well.

“We’ve known for years that the death rates in Third World countries are lower among breast-fed babies,” says Lawrence. “Breast-fed babies are healthier and have fewer infections than formula-fed babies.”

Although breast-feeding is still the best nourishment for infants, infant formula is a close enough second that babies not only survive but thrive.

Commercially prepared formulas are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.

The nutritional adequacy of commercially prepared formula is also ensured by the agency’s nutrient requirements and its safety by strict quality control procedures that require manufacturers to analyze each batch of formula for required nutrients, to test samples for stability during the shelf life of the product, to code containers to identify the batch, and to make all records available to FDA investigators.

The composition of infant formula is similar to breast milk, but it isn’t a perfect match, because the exact chemical makeup of breast milk is still unknown.

Human milk is very complex, and scientists are still trying to unravel and understand what makes it such a good source of nutrition for rapidly growing and developing infants.

More than half the calories in breast milk come from fat, and the same is true for today’s infant formulas. This may be alarming to many American adults watching their intake of fat and cholesterol, especially when sources of saturated fats, such as coconut oil, are used in formulas. (In adults, high intakes of saturated fats tend to increase blood cholesterol levels more than other fats or oils.) But the low-fat diet recommended for adults doesn’t apply to infants.

The reason is that infants have a high energy requirement, and they have a restricted volume of food that they can ingest. The way to meet these energy requirements in a restricted amount of food is to have a high amount of fat.

While greater knowledge about human milk has helped scientists improve infant formula, it has become “increasingly apparent that infant formula can never duplicate human milk,” wrote John D. Benson, Ph.D, and Mark L. Masor, Ph.D., in the March 1994 issue of Endocrine Regulations. “Human milk contains living cells, hormones, active enzymes, immunoglobulins and compounds with unique structures that cannot be replicated in infant formula.”

Benson and Masor, both of whom are pediatric nutrition researchers at infant formula manufacturer Abbott Laboratories, believe creating formula that duplicates human milk is impossible. “A better goal is to match the performance of the breastfed infant,” they wrote. Performance is measured by the infant’s growth, absorption of nutrients, gastrointestinal tolerance, and reactions in blood.

Human Milk for Human Infants
The primary benefit of breast milk is nutritional. Human milk contains just the right amount of fatty acids, lactose, water, and amino acids for human digestion, brain development, and growth.

Cow’s milk contains a different type of protein than breast milk. This is good for calves, but human infants can have difficulty digesting it. Bottle-fed infants tend to be fatter than breast-fed infants, but not necessarily healthier.

Breast-fed babies have fewer illnesses because human milk transfers to the infant a mother’s antibodies to disease. About 80 percent of the cells in breast milk are macrophages, cells that kill bacteria, fungi and viruses. Breast-fed babies are protected, in varying degrees, from a number of illnesses, including pneumonia, botulism, bronchitis, staphylococcal infections, influenza, ear infections, and German measles. Furthermore, mothers produce antibodies to whatever disease is present in their environment, making their milk custom-designed to fight the diseases their babies are exposed to as well.

A breast-fed baby’s digestive tract contains large amounts of Lactobacillus bifidus, beneficial bacteria that prevent the growth of harmful organisms. Human milk straight from the breast is always sterile, never contaminated by polluted water or dirty bottles, which can also lead to diarrhea in the infant.

Human milk contains at least 100 ingredients not found in formula. No babies are allergic to their mother’s milk, although they may have a reaction to something the mother eats. If she eliminates it from her diet, the problem resolves itself.

Sucking at the breast promotes good jaw development as well. It’s harder work to get milk out of a breast than a bottle, and the exercise strengthens the jaws and encourages the growth of straight, healthy teeth. The baby at the breast also can control the flow of milk by sucking and stopping. With a bottle, the baby must constantly suck or react to the pressure of the nipple placed in the mouth.

Nursing may have psychological benefits for the infant as well, creating an early emotional attachment between mother and child. At birth, infants see only 12 to 15 inches, the distance between a nursing baby and its mother’s face. Studies have found that infants as young as 1 week prefer the smell of their own mother’s milk. When nursing pads soaked with breast milk are placed in their cribs, they turn their faces toward the one that smells familiar.

Many psychologists believe the nursing baby enjoys a sense of security from the warmth and presence of the mother, especially when there is skin-to-skin contact during feeding. Parents of bottle-fed babies may be tempted to prop bottles in the baby’s mouth, with no human contact during feeding. But a nursing mother must cuddle her infant closely many times during the day. Nursing becomes more than a way to feed a baby; it’s a source of warmth and comfort.

Benefits to Mothers
Breast-feeding is good for new mothers as well as for their babies. There are no bottles to sterilize and no formula to buy, measure and mix. It may be easier for a nursing mother to lose the pounds of pregnancy as well, since nursing uses up extra calories. Lactation also stimulates the uterus to contract back to its original size.

A nursing mother is forced to get needed rest. She must sit down, put her feet up, and relax every few hours to nurse. Nursing at night is easy as well. No one has to stumble to the refrigerator for a bottle and warm it while the baby cries. If she’s lying down, a mother can doze while she nurses.

Nursing is also nature’s contraceptive–although not a very reliable one. Frequent nursing suppresses ovulation, making it less likely for a nursing mother to menstruate, ovulate, or get pregnant. There are no guarantees, however. Mothers who don’t want more children right away should use contraception even while nursing. Women who are breast-feeding can use barrier methods of birth control, such as condoms and diaphragms. Hormone-containing methods are not first choice. These include injections (such as Depo-Provera), implants (such as Norplant), and birth control pills. A woman who breast-feeds should consult her doctor about which type of contraception is appropriate for her until the baby is weaned.

Breast-feeding is economical also. Even though a nursing mother works up a big appetite and consumes extra calories, the extra food for her is less expensive than buying formula for the baby. Nursing saves money while providing the best nourishment possible.

When Formula Is Necessary
There are very few medical reasons why a mother shouldn’t breast-feed, according to Lawrence.

Most common illnesses, such as colds, flu, skin infections, or diarrhea, cannot be passed through breast milk. In fact, if a mother has an illness, her breast milk will contain antibodies to it that will help protect her baby from those same illnesses.

A few viruses can pass through breast milk, however. HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is one of them. Women who are HIV positive should not breast-feed.

A few other illnesses–such as herpes, hepatitis, and beta streptococcus infections–can also be transmitted through breast milk. But that doesn’t always mean a mother with those diseases shouldn’t breast-feed, Lawrence says.

“Each case must be evaluated on an individual basis with the woman’s doctor,” she says.

Breast cancer is not passed through breast milk. Women who have had breast cancer can usually breast-feed from the unaffected breast. Studies have shown, however, that breast-feeding a child reduces a woman’s chance of developing breast cancer later.

Silicone breast implants usually do not interfere with a woman’s ability to nurse, but if the implants leak, there is some concern that the silicone may harm the baby. Some small studies have suggested a link between breast-feeding with implants and later development of problems with the child’s esophagus. Further studies are needed in this area. But if a woman with implants wants to breast-feed, she should first discuss the potential benefits and risks with her child’s doctor.

Tough but Worthwhile
For all its health benefits, breast-feeding isn’t always easy. In the early weeks, it can be painful. A woman’s nipples may become sore or cracked. She may experience engorgement more than a bottle-feeding mother, when the breasts become so full of milk they’re hard and painful. Some nursing women also develop clogged milk ducts, which can lead to mastitis, a painful infection of the breast. While most nursing problems can be solved with home remedies, mastitis requires prompt medical care (see “Tips for Breast-Feeding Success”).

Women who plan to go back to work soon after birth will have to plan carefully if they want to breast-feed. If her job allows, a new mother can pump her breast milk several times during the day and refrigerate or freeze it for the baby to take in a bottle later. Some women alternate nursing at night and on weekends with daytime bottles of formula.

In either case, a nursing mother is physically tied to her baby more than a bottle-feeding mother. The baby needs her for nourishment, and she needs to nurse regularly to avoid getting uncomfortably full breasts. But instead of feeling it’s a chore, nursing mothers often cite this close relationship as one of the greatest joys of nursing.

If a woman is unsure whether she wants to nurse, she can try it for a few weeks and switch if she doesn’t like it. It’s very difficult to switch to breast-feeding after bottle-feeding is begun.

If she plans to breast-feed, a new mother should learn as much as possible about it before the baby is born. Obstetricians, pediatricians, childbirth instructors, nurses, and midwives can all offer information about nursing. But perhaps the best ongoing support for a nursing mother is someone who has successfully nursed a baby.

La Leche League, an international support organization for nursing mothers, has chapters in many cities that meet regularly to discuss breast-feeding problems and offer support.

Interested women or couples are welcome to attend La Leche League meetings without charge. League leaders offer advice by phone as well. To find a convenient La Leche League chapter, call 1-800-LA-LECHE (1-800-525-3243) or contact the organization’s world wide web site at http://www.lalecheleague.org/.

Formula Choices
If the mother cannot or chooses not to breast-feed, normal, full-term infants should get a conventional cow’s-milk-based formula, according to John N. Udall Jr., M.D., chief of nutrition and gastroenterology at Children’s Hospital of New Orleans. However, adverse reactions to the protein in cow’s milk formula or symptoms of lactose intolerance (lactose is the carbohydrate in cow’s milk) may require switching to another type of formula, he says.

Symptoms that may indicate an adverse reaction to cow’s milk protein include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and rash. With lactose intolerance, the most common symptoms are excessive gas, abdominal distension and pain, and diarrhea. Since some of the symptoms overlap, a stool test may be necessary to determine the culprit. Usually, lactose intolerance will produce acidic stools that contain glucose. If the protein is the problem, stools will be nonacidic and have flecks of blood.

The main alternative to cow’s milk formula is soy formula.

The carbohydrates in most soy formulas are sucrose and corn syrup, which are easily digested and absorbed by infants. However, soy is not as good a protein source as cow’s milk. Also, babies don’t absorb some minerals, such as calcium, as efficiently from soy formulas. Therefore, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “Healthy full-term infants should be given soy formula only when medically necessary.”

For a child who can’t tolerate cow’s milk protein, William J. Klish, M.D., a Baylor College of Medicine pediatrician and former chairman of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition recommends the use of hydrolyzed-protein formula. Although hydrolyzed-protein formulas are made from cow’s milk, the protein has been broken up into its component parts. Essentially, it’s been predigested, which decreases the likelihood of an allergic reaction.

Iron
The infant formulas currently available in the United States are either “iron-fortified”–with approximately 12 milligrams of iron per liter–or “low iron”–with approximately 2 milligrams of iron per liter.

“There should not be a low-iron formula on the market for the average child because a low-iron formula is a nutritionally deficient formula,” says Klish. “It doesn’t provide enough iron to maintain proper blood cell counts or proper hemoglobin.” (Hemoglobin is a blood protein that carries oxygen from the lungs to the tissues, and carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs.)

In addition, studies have shown that school children who had good iron status as infants because they were fed iron-fortified formula performed better on standardized developmental tests than children with poor iron status. However, FDA has permitted marketing of low-iron formulas because some pediatricians prefer to use them.

Why is there low-iron formula on the market? “In the past there have been a lot of symptoms that have been attributed to iron, including abdominal discomfort, constipation, diarrhea, colic, and irritability,” says Klish. “Also there was some concern about too much iron interfering with the immune system. All of those concerns and questions have been laid to rest with appropriate studies.”

Another reason for originally producing low-iron formulas was that human milk contains low amounts of iron–less than a milligram per liter. However, it is now understood that an infant absorbs virtually 100 percent of the iron from human milk, but considerably less from infant formula.

Cooking Lessons
Both milk and soy formulas are available in powder, liquid concentrate, or ready-to-feed forms. The choice should depend on whatever the parents find convenient and can afford.

Whatever form is chosen, proper preparation and refrigeration are essential. Opened cans of ready-to-feed and liquid concentrate must be refrigerated and used within the time specified on the can. Once the powder is mixed with water, it should also be refrigerated if it is not used right away. The exact amount of water recommended on the label must be used. Under-diluted formula can cause problems for the infant’s organs and digestive system. Over-diluted formula will not provide adequate nutrition, and the baby may fail to thrive and grow.

In the past, the American Academy of Pediatrics felt that municipal water supplies were safe enough without boiling the water before mixing with the formula. But because of the contamination of Milwaukee’s water with the parasite Cryptosporidium in 1993, “the whole business of boiling water has come up again,” says Klish. “The academy is now again recommending boiling water for infant formulas.”

Klish advises heating the water until it reaches a rolling boil, continue to boil for one to two minutes, and then let it cool. “That should take care of all the bacteria and parasites that might be in the water,” he explains.

The American Academy of Pediatrics does not have any recommendations about bottled water. Klish says bottled water is fine, but it still needs to be boiled. “There’s no reason to think that bottled water is any safer than city water,” he says.

Bottled water must meet specific FDA quality standards for contaminants. These are set in response to requirements that the Environmental Protection Agency has established for tap water.

A regulation published in the Nov. 13, 1995, Federal Register sets standard definitions for different types of bottled waters, helping resolve possible confusion about what different terms mean.

The regulation also requires accurate labeling of bottled waters marketed for infants. If a product is labeled “sterile,” it must be processed to meet FDA’s requirements for commercial sterility. Otherwise, the labeling must indicate that it is not sterile and should be used as directed by a physician or according to infant formula preparation instructions.

What about sterilizing the bottles and nipples? “Dishwashers tend to sterilize bottles and nipples fairly well,” says Klish. They can also be sterilized by placing them in a pan of boiling water for five minutes.

Warming the formula before feeding isn’t necessary for proper nutrition, but most infants prefer the formula at least at room temperature. The best way to warm a bottle of formula is by placing the bottle in a pot of water and heating the pot on the stove.

Don’t Try This at Home
Homemade formulas should not be used. Homemade formulas based on cow’s milk don’t meet all of an infant’s nutritional needs, and cow’s milk protein that has not been cooked or processed is difficult for an infant to digest. In addition, the high protein and electrolyte (salt) content of cow’s milk may put a strain on an infant’s immature kidneys. Substituting evaporated milk for whole milk may make the homemade formula easier to digest because of the effect of processing on the protein, but the formula is still nutritionally inadequate and still may stress the kidneys.

Today’s infant formula is a very controlled, high-tech product that can’t be duplicated at home, says Udall.

About the Author:
Rebecca D. Williams is a writer in Oak Ridge, Tenn. Isadora Stehlin is a member of FDA’s public affairs staff. Provided by the FDA.

Science has proved that breast-fed babies have a healthier start in life. Human milk contains a balance of nutrients that closely matches infant requirements for brain development, growth and a healthy immune system. Human milk also contains immunologic agents and other compounds that act against viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Since an infant’s immune system is not fully developed until age 2, human milk provides a distinct advantage over formula.

Because breast milk provides protection against germs that a baby or mother may carry, studies in infant feeding have found lower rates of several chronic childhood diseases, including respiratory infections and ear infections, as well as symptoms such as diarrhea, among children who were breast-fed.

Research also suggests that breast-fed infants gain less weight and tend to be leaner at 1 year of age than formula-fed infants. This early indicator may influence later growth patterns, resulting in fewer overweight and obese children.

But infants aren’t the only ones who benefit from breast-feeding. Mothers, too, are the recipients of many positive hormonal and physical effects. Breast-feeding releases a hormone in a woman’s body that causes her uterus to return to its normal size and shape more quickly and reduces blood loss after delivery. In addition, according to the Blueprint, studies have shown that breast-feeding for longer periods of time (up to 2 years) and among younger mothers may reduce the risk of premenopausal and possibly postmenopausal breast cancer. Also, the risk of ovarian cancer may be lower among women who have breast-fed their children.

Haynes says intriguing new developments indicate that breast milk may even have another role in the battle against cancer. In particular, breast-feeding may reduce the risk of childhood cancer.

Researchers have identified a protein in human milk–human alpha-lactalbumin made lethal to tumors (HAMLET)–that induces apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in which cells, responding to environmental signals, self-destruct. Apoptosis, a relatively new study in biology, is the natural mechanism the body uses to recycle material that is not needed for functioning. When apoptosis is initiated, the cell’s genetic material becomes shredded so that the cell cannot replicate itself. With cancer cells, apoptosis is inhibited, allowing rapid growth of dysfunctional cells. Haynes says that the isolation of HAMLET as a trigger for apoptosis in cancer cells could give further weight to evidence linking breast milk to reduced incidences of some cancers.

From a budget standpoint, breast-feeding can save a family hundreds of dollars a year, even with the added cost of breast pumps, devices regulated by the Food and Drug Administration that allow mothers to express milk when they are away from their babies or when they want to save extra milk to be given to the baby at other times. According to the Blueprint, breast-feeding also saves money for insurers and employers by cutting down on doctor visits and sick days.

Overcoming Obstacles
Why, then, with all these benefits, don’t more mothers breast-feed?

Breast-feeding requires a substantial commitment from a mother. Some mothers feel tied down by the constant demands of a nursing newborn. Others feel embarrassed or concerned about breast-feeding, especially in public places.

“That’s just the type of image we’re trying to change,” says Haynes. “We’re trying to normalize breast-feeding so that people won’t blink an eye when they see it.” Haynes says removing these kinds of barriers is a major challenge of the campaign.

But she also emphasizes that breast-feeding is not the end of a woman’s independence. Women can use pumps to express milk when they are going to be away from their babies so that others can bottle feed them, allowing mothers to keep up their milk supply. She adds that women can return to full-time work with careful planning and a discussion with employers about a private and sanitary area to express milk.

Carol Huotari manages the Center for Breastfeeding Information at the Schaumburg, Ill., headquarters of La Leche League, an international breast-feeding support and educational organization. She says, “It’s not uncommon for mothers to face difficulties.” While the ability to breast-feed is not necessarily inherent in a mother, Huotari says with the proper information and support, the experience of breast-feeding is more often than not successful, and when it is successful it can be profoundly fulfilling. “It’s more than just the benefits to the baby–it’s about the benefits to the mother, too.” While obstacles can sometimes hinder success, Huotari says that most can be overcome.

Because diabetes and allergies run prevalent on both sides of Amy Finnerty’s family, the 29-year-old Huntley, Ill., resident especially wanted to breast-feed her baby. But obstacles, like her baby’s inability to latch on to her breast properly as the result of a stressful birth experience and the temporary pain she experienced early on, nearly convinced Finnerty that, for her, breast-feeding just wasn’t meant to be.

“I remember thinking, ‘I’m not going to be a good mom,’” she says. “I didn’t think I could take the pain anymore.” But the support she received both from the local La Leche League group and her husband clinched it for Finnerty. “Meeting with women who shared my common interest of breast-feeding certainly helped bolster my commitment to nursing,” she says. “And Bill would encourage me each time to get through one more feeding, even though I was feeding several times a day. Eventually he was right. I stayed with it and it just clicked.” Finnerty is today happily and successfully nursing her daughter, Veronica.

Huotari says that professional and family support can influence a mother’s breast-feeding choice and practices. “It’s important to begin sharing positive information on breast-feeding to both boys and girls in school,” she says. And health care providers can promote breast-feeding during pregnancy check-ups. “We know that decisions made to breast-feed are often made well before the baby arrives, yet some others do decide that they will breast-feed when their newborn is in their arms for the first time.”

Even the childbirth experience can make a great impact on the way breast-feeding begins and continues, says Huotari. “Amy did a lot of preparation for birth beforehand,” she says, “and despite the fact that Veronica’s birth didn’t go the way she planned, Amy is now a well-established breast-feeding mom.”

The La Leche League has chapter meetings throughout the country where expectant and new mothers can learn about breast-feeding, nutrition, and other aspects of child care. (See “For More Information” for the number to call for local chapters.)

Cautions About Breast-Feeding
Despite the benefits, not every mother is able to breast-feed or chooses to do so. In rare cases, a mother’s health may prevent her from breast-feeding. Women who test positive for HIV and AIDS or who have human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) should not breast-feed or provide their breast milk for the nutrition of their own or other infants because of the risk of transmission to the child. Under certain conditions, a case-by-case assessment should be made about whether or not breast-feeding is advisable or should be temporarily stopped. According to the Blueprint, some of these conditions include:

• Exposures to environmental chemicals, such as DDT, dioxin, and methyl mercury
• Hepatitis C
• Illicit drug use, such as amphetamines, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana
• Implants and breast surgery
• Metabolic disorders such as galactosemia, a condition in which the infant cannot metabolize lactose, a sugar found in all mammalian milk
• Tobacco and alcohol use, since alcohol and nicotine are present in breast milk. However, for women who cannot or will not stop smoking, breast-feeding is still advised, since the benefits of breast milk outweigh the risks from nicotine exposure
• Use of drugs such as cyclosporin, doxorubicin, ergotamine, methotrexate, and radioactive isotopes, as well as anti-anxiety, anti-depressant, and anti-psychotic agents. For most prescribed and over-the-counter medications taken by women, the risk to the nursing infant is unknown.
• Mothers should always ask their physicians before continuing or taking new medications while nursing.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) first issued a statement on the transfer of drugs and chemicals into human milk in 1983, revising its lists in 1989 and 1994. Information continues to become available. The current statement, which can be found on the AAP’s Web site (www.aap.org/policy/0063.html), is intended to assist physicians in counseling a nursing mother regarding breast-feeding when the mother has a condition for which a drug is medically indicated.

Susan F. Wood, Ph.D., director of the FDA’s Office of Women’s Health (OWH) says, “The FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research and the OWH are working to improve the current label on products so that it is more helpful to both mothers and prescribing physicians. However, more research is needed in order for good information to show up in the label, and FDA is also working to encourage such research.”

Infant Formulas
For women who are unable to breast-feed, the FDA recommends using only commercially prepared formulas as an alternative to breast milk. These formulas contain the complex combination of proteins, sugars, fats, minerals, and vitamins needed to support growth in infants. The composition of commercial formulas is carefully controlled, and the FDA requires that these products meet very strict standards.

The safety of commercially prepared formula is ensured by the agency’s nutrient requirements and by strict manufacturing quality control procedures. These procedures require manufacturers to analyze each batch of formula for required nutrients, test samples for stability during the shelf life of the product, code containers to identify the batch, and make all records available to FDA investigators.

But, while formulas try to imitate the ingredients in human milk, the exact composition of breast milk cannot be duplicated. Human milk contains living cells, hormones, active enzymes, and immunoglobulins that cannot be replicated in infant formula. It also has carbohydrates, easily digestible proteins, and fat, plus antibodies that can protect the baby from infection. Therefore, performance of infant formulas is measured by the infant’s growth, absorption of nutrients, and gastrointestinal tolerance.

About this Article:
Provided by the FDA

by: Anne Cavicchi

The first week of your baby’s life brings big adjustments for both of you. You are adjusting to being a mother and caring for your baby and your baby is adjusting to life outside the womb. It is a time of great joy — and possibly immense fear! Although you’ve been preparing for the birth of your baby for months, now he is here and depending on you for everything which can seem overwhelming. Don’t expect too much of yourself during these first days! If anyone offers you help — take it!

During your baby’s first few weeks of life, he will be concentrating on getting to know you and his surroundings. Your baby needs to be handled so that life outside the womb seems as little different as possible to life inside the womb. Your baby’s needs, while they may seem overwhelming to you, are really simple: food, warmth and comfort from cuddling. Wrap him snugly and warmly, hold him closely, handle him slowly, and feed him when he’s hungry. Your baby will have the routing and sucking reflexes as well as tongue thrust. These are needed to get nourishment from the breast or bottle. You can also use this time to bond with your baby with lots of skin to skin contact.

Whether you decide to breast or bottle feed, feeding in the first few weeks is not an effortless process. Try to have early feeding sessions in a quiet setting with as few distractions as possible. Make sure you are in a comfortable position as it takes new babies a while to eat and you don’t want to end up stiff and sore. Cuddle and caress your baby as feeding time is a wonderful opportunity to show your baby how much he is loved.

If you are breastfeeding, be patient while you and your baby are getting the hang of it! The benefits of breastfeeding are many and in order for it to be successful, it is important to start out right. Keep in mind though it may take several weeks until you both feel comfortable and get a feeding schedule down.

Most new moms feel and experience:

About The Author
Anne Cavicchi is a Canadian wife and mother of one boy and two step-daughters. She also owns Annie’s Maternity Corner where you’ll find everything you need for pregnancy and baby! Great products, articles, information and more to see you through pregnancy and baby’s first years at Annie’s. www.maternitycorner.com.

Raising your baby is going to cost a lot of money, no matter how you look at it. There are several things you can do however to help it be a little bit easier on your check book while still giving your baby the quality he deserves.

Nursery
When you go to register for your baby’s nursery you will probably see a lot of dollar signs. There are all kinds of themed, fancy bedding sets that can cost you hundreds of dollars. That is on top of the cost you have for the crib, dresser, changing table and other furniture items you may choose to buy. In reality the expensive crib bedding will do you little good. It is recommended that you do not use soft comforters and blankets as they can increase the chance of SIDS. Your baby will definitely need sheets and a bumper to protect his head as he starts moving around (before he can sit up), but you can pick up those items very inexpensively, and save the rest of your money for the diapers you are sure to need! 

A crib can be another expensive item. A choice that is growing in popularity is buying a crib that can convert from a crib into a toddler bed. You can even find cribs that convert from a toddler bed into a twin or full size bed for when your baby gets bigger. These are nice because it saves you money down the road when your baby starts eating you out of house and home, and you have school costs piling up.

You can also save money by purchasing a dresser that has an area for changing your baby on top, or one that you can put a pad on to help you change your baby. This cuts out the cost of the changing table that you will not use much probably after your baby’s first birthday. As your baby enters toddler hood and is running and busy you will find that it is often easier to just stop and change your baby where he is playing, or while he is standing, than it is to drag your baby from his toys to his room to change his diaper.

Necessities
While you may think that many things would be great to have, like a diaper wipe warmer, most are actually unneeded and items you could cut out to save a little money. You will definitely need a car seat and stroller, and having a swing and bassinet is a great idea. However the little things like baby food organizers and special dishwasher items are things you can do without. With the exception of the car seat, check out consignment shops and yard sales for the bigger and more expensive items. Generally with a good cleaning, most items could be used again, safely for your baby. Also be sure to check out the recall list put out by the manufacturer of any product that you buy new.

Since your baby is going to grow so fast shopping for clothing at consignment shops, thrift stores or garage sales can save you a lot of money as well. Baby clothes can quickly cause you to go broke if you have to buy them new and because babies out grow them so fast your baby will probably only wear his outfits once or twice before they don’t fit. This is true for most people so you can normally find clean, almost new and sometimes even brand new with tag items at used clothing venues.

Diapers and Baby Food
Both diapers and baby food can be done much more naturally in an effort to keep the max amount of money in your pocket. Disposable diapers are very expensive and alone can take all your money. There are diapering options such as cloth diapering and flushable diapers that can save you a lot of money and some claim will cause less diaper rashes and discomfort for your baby.

Baby food is often around 50 cents a jar on the shelf. It is much more inexpensive to make your own by making extra dinner and using a blender and some breast milk to blend your own veggies and fruits from leftovers. As your baby gets older and stronger you can blend up meats and noodles as well to give to him. You can thin out store bought oatmeal and blend up rice to make your baby’s first cereals. If you choose to do organic food, which is already more expensive, then making your own baby food will save you even extra!

Breastfeeding vs. Formula
Cans of formula are very expensive and can easily be wasted if your baby doesn’t eat as much as you make, or you spill as you are preparing a bottle. Breastfeeding is nature’s way of feeding a baby that is not only the healthiest for the baby but is free! Breastfeeding is the best nourishment that you can give your baby. If you have to use formula be sure to sign up on all the formula websites and look for coupons. You will save a lot of money with coupons and freebies of formula that companies will send you.

Coupons
There are baby coupons in papers almost every Sunday. Whether it is for bath products, diapers or food, be sure to look for these coupons. In the long run the savings will add up! Ask your friends and neighbors to clip their baby coupons for you, or if they don’t clip coupons, ask them if they will give you their batch of coupons. Watch for sales at stores on products you have coupons for, and even watch for stores to do double and triple coupon offers. Take advantage of every money saving offer you can.

When you get pregnant you tend to get your name on lists at the local maternity stores and baby stores and things start rolling in with the mail. Everyone wants to get you hooked and get you to give them your business. This is true as well in the hospital where when you give birth you will be given at least one bag (normally either a diaper bag or bottle carrier), from a formula manufacturer with a can of formula as well as papers and flyers offering freebies and samples to you.

You may wonder how you can make the most of the free stuff on the market for you and your baby. Knowing what companies to call and what they will give you is a good start! Make a list, keep it close, and don’t forget to ask to be put on mailing lists for these companies in order to receive new products when they are available.

Diapers
There are several companies that will send you free diapers allowing you to have a wide selection of diapers to try and figure out which one fits your baby the best. Different butts have different shapes, and while most manufacturers won’t admit it, different diapers will fit different babies…well differently. Here are a few of your choices.

Procter & Gamble (Pampers)
In the United States or Canada, call (800) 543-0480, (800) 726-7377
US web site: www.Pampers.com
Canadian web site: www.Pampers.ca

Kimberly-Clark Corporation (Huggies)
In the United States or Canada, call (800) 544-1847
www.huggies.com

Associated Hygenic Products (Drypers)
PO Box 8830
Vancouver, WA 98666-8830
In the United States or Canada, call (888) 639-5863
www.drypers.com

Procter & Gamble (Luvs)
In the United States or Canada, call (800) 543-0480, (800) 726-7377
www.luvs.com

Formula
Breastfeeding is best for your baby but there are some instances where a woman is unable to breastfeed or unable to breastfeed as long as she would like too. Because of this there are formula companies out there that can not wait to send you samples and coupons so that you will buy their formula.

PBM Products Inc. (America’s Store Brand Infant Formulas)
In the United States, call (800) 485-9969
www.storebrandformulas.com

Mead Johnson Nutritionals (Enfamil)
In the United States, call: (800) BABY-123
In Canada, call (800) 361-6323
US web site: www.meadjohnson.com

Similac Welcome Addition Club
In the United States, call (800) BABYLINE
In Canada, call 800-518-CLUB
www.welcomeaddition.com

Nestle Carnation Infant Nutrition
In the United States, call (800) 242-5200
In Canada, call (800) 387-5536
US web site: www.verybestbaby.com
Canadian web site: www.nestle.ca

Baby Food
Once your baby has turned six months and is ready to start on solids you will be faced with a number of food choices on the market. Not only food choices, but different choices in makers of sippy cups, bowls and spoons. Just like with formula, the baby food companies are willing to send you all the samples they have in order to help sway you to buying their product.

HJ Heinz Company
In the United States, call (800) USA-BABY
In Canada, call (800) 565-2100
www.heinzbaby.com

Gerber Products Company
In the United States & Canada, call (800) 4GERBER
US web site: www.gerber.com/special
Canadian web site: www.gerbercanada.com

Baby Care
Johnson and Johnson is the biggest supplier of baby wash and baby care products. While they probably do not NEED to give away samples to the extent that the diaper companies and formula companies do, their coffers are still bulging with free things that they can give away to you. Be sure to contact them to get samples of their products, many of which will be perfect to stick in the diaper bag in case you need to give your baby a quick bath when you are at grandmas.

Johnson & Johnson
In the United States, call (800) 526-3967
In Canada, call (800) 361-8068
US web site: www.johnsonsbaby.com
Canadian web site: www.jnjCanada.com

There is no doubt that your baby will cost you a lot of money in a lot of ways. Why not start doing what you can while you are pregnant to keep your costs down as much as you can. After all, the money you save on diapers can buy a great new toy for your new little angel. Also, done forget to check out our offers page to find new and exciting freebies that you can get!

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests waiting to start solids until your baby is 4-6 months old. What many people do not realize however is that the four months is meant more for formula fed babies while the six months is meant more for the breastfed babies. Why do they say wait and what are the pros and cons of starting your baby on food other than breast milk and formula?

Breast milk is full of iron unlike formula so it gives a baby the full amount of iron that they need while they grow for a longer amount of time. Because formula lacks as much iron, a baby who is formula fed should start on baby food at about four months old, in order to supplement and get more iron. Breast milk is so amazing because it changes as your baby grows giving your baby exactly what he needs, when he needs it, including the right amount of iron. This is why breast milk is best for the first year. Because your baby gets the iron from breast milk that he needs he doesn’t need baby food for at least six months.

Is your baby ready for solids? There are many ways you can tell from your baby’s development whether or not they are ready to start solids. A baby’s weight and development are very important. Can they sit, can they pick up objects? These are all very important to consider. For more on introducing solids, please click here.

There is really no reason to rush your baby into starting solids. There are some parents that choose to wait till nine months or closer to a year before they start their baby on food other than breast milk. Baby food is meant to help get babies acquainted to other flavors and learn how to eat food, however until they are a year old breast milk or formula should still make up at least 3/4 of their diet. Don’t feel pressured to start your baby on solids. If you are concerned about whether or not you should or your baby’s health, ask your pediatrician at your baby’s next well-check.

The big “J” word. It is a word many new mothers hear, and many new mothers fear – especially if they have had to deal with it before. There are many levels of jaundice that new parents and their newborn may have to deal with, and it can range from mild to severe.

Jaundice is a condition that will cause a yellowish tint in the skin of some babies shortly after birth. It is caused by a higher than normal amount of bilirubin in the blood that the liver is unable to break down faster than it is made. Several things can lead to the lack of break down and the jaundice in a newborn.

• The baby’s liver may not be developed enough to break down the blood cells
• More bilirubin is being made than the baby can break down
• Bilirubin is being absorbed back into the intestines before it can be passed through stools

Bilirubin numbers will generally be taken in the hospital before you leave. The number your baby should be at changes each day as your baby gets old. As a rule, anything over 20 is considered dangerous; however as a baby approaches that number the doctor may start worrying. Once a bilirubin level hits 20 it can cause deafness, cerebral palsy or brain damage in your baby. In some cases a high level of bilirubin can signify a situation of hepatitis in a baby.

There are several types of jaundice a baby can have. These include Physiological (normal) jaundice, Jaundice of prematurity, Breast milk jaundice and Blood group incompatibility (Rh or ABO problems). Physiological jaundice occurs in 50% of newborns. It normally appears between 2-4 days after birth and can last for a couple of weeks. Jaundice of prematurity is common in premature babies because their livers are generally underdeveloped and can’t expel the bilirubin properly.

Breast milk jaundice can occur when there is a substance in a mother’s milk that causes the bilirubin level to rise. This generally occurs between 4-7 days after birth and can last up till the baby is 10 weeks old. When jaundice is caused by a blood group incompatibility is caused when a mother has a different blood type than her baby. This however can be avoided in some cases now by the mother being given Rh shots while pregnant.

If the jaundice is severe enough there several different “treatments” that your doctor may suggest to help your baby get rid of the bilirubin quicker. There is a specialized blanket that is supposed to help lessen the levels of bilirubin your baby’s blood. If that does not work they have special beds that your baby can “sun-bathe” in, giving your baby phototherapy. During phototherapy there is a special light used to alter the bilirubin and make it easier for your babies’ body to get rid of it. Often times you will be asked to feed your baby more, or to quit nursing temporarily as a way to help the bilirubin clear the body.

If you are afraid your baby has jaundice you should call your pediatrician and get him looked at. Getting some reassurance that your newborn is ok is worth it.

Hiccups can be a big worry for many pregnant women and new moms. Why does their baby have them? Is their baby in pain from them? What can they do about them? Rest assured, most of the time the baby is not in pain, and the mother is more bothered by the fact that the hiccups have appeared, than the baby is having them.

Hiccups in Utero
Pregnant women often mention feeling their baby having hiccups while in the womb and wonder what causes this. These hiccups can start in the first trimester, but won’t be felt by mom until late in the second trimester or during the third trimester. Rarely do the hiccups bother the mother-to-be, however some moms might worry that it is hurting their baby.

The exact cause of your baby’s hiccups is unknown. However, many specialists believe that your baby’s hiccups may be helping to strengthen the diaphragm muscle in order to help the baby breathe both in the womb and once they are born. In many cases your baby will have the hiccups at the same time everyday.

Not only can hiccups be felt by the mom-to-be, but it can also be detected during an ultrasound and picked up on a Doppler while at the doctor’s office for a routine visit. After a woman has been assured that these hiccups are normal and are not bothering their baby, then they become something that can be looked forward to on a daily basis, much like their baby kicking.

Hiccups After Birth
If your baby had hiccups while in utero, it is very plausible that he will have the hiccups after he is born. Some babies that did not have them in utero may still have them after birth. Hiccups can start after birth as early as the day your baby is born. Like the hiccups your baby might have had in utero, these hiccups are generally not painful for your baby.

Hiccups after birth occur when the diaphragm muscle contracts causing your baby to take quick short breaths. Normally these hiccups go away after only a few minutes. If they are really bothering you, try burping your baby more often during feedings. To get them to stop you can try to feed your baby whether you are nursing or bottlefeeding. The constant sucking and swallowing can help that muscle relax and help the hiccups stop.

Your baby is growing and growing fast. The average baby weighs approximately 7 ½ pounds at birth when born at 40 weeks. Obviously, since most babies are not born at 40 weeks, babies are born at various different sizes. Non-preemie babies can be anywhere from five pounds on the low side to 11 pounds on the high side when they are born. The good thing about babies is that no matter what size they are when they are born — they will all grow, and during the first year will go through several growth spurts.

Growth spurts are normal in both breastfed and bottle fed babies. It may however be a little more noticeable in babies who are breastfed because it would be felt more by mom. She would have to nurse more frequently in order to build up her milk supply to satisfy her baby.

There is no set time for a growth spurt to appear, however there is a generality. A baby’s body is not a clock but they will generally go though a growth spurt between 7-10 days old, around three weeks, six weeks, three months, four months, six months and nine months. Most of the weight they gain during the first two years will be gained during this time and they will also grow in inches.

Growth spurts are less frequent after the first year but they still occur. Your baby will probably gain more in inches than pounds after their first birthday. Through out the toddler years and into adolescence however you will notice growth spurts.

Growth spurts generally only last 2-3 days, but can sometimes last as long as a week. During a growth spurt it is important to follow your baby’s lead. When he seems hungry, feed him. While still young be prepared to nurse more or offer more bottle of formula. If breastfeeding have a bottle of breast milk prepared and waiting to top your baby off if he still seems hungry after a nursing session is complete.

As a nursing mom you may also feel more hunger or thirst while your baby is going through a growth spurt. As your baby eats extra calories from you, it is important for you to replenish yourself and keep your energy up. If you are feeling extra hungry or thirsty, eat and drink a little more, but be sure to keep it healthy.