Formula Feeding for Physicians

Worldwide, only 44 percent of babies 0-6 months old are exclusively fed human milk. Of the 66% of parents who use some amount of infant formula to feed their babies, only a tiny percentage ever receive any information or education about how to do so safely — except for from the label on the infant formula itself.

Providers who work with infants have a tremendous opportunity and responsibility to provide parents with accurate information about how to select infant formula, safely prepare it, and feed it to their babies. Are you prepared with this information? With this class, you will be!

Instructor Mary Bailey, RD, IBCLC, PCD (DONA), shares the following:

• Research on parents’ decisions to feed formula and on their experiences
• How infant formula is regulated
• Ingredients, macro-, and micronutrients found in infant formula
• Types of infant formula available and how to choose the best type for an individual situation
• Information on hypoallergenic formula and its uses
• The steps to safely prepare and store infant formula
• How much to feed
• And more

Bailey pays particular attention to how to counsel families on responsive feeding when using formula, including several videos of how to offer bottles in a safe and connected manner. If you think you already know all there is to know about paced bottle feeding, these videos may surprise you!

Research shows that formula-feeding parents who receive counseling on how to properly use infant formula feel less stigma about their choice and more warmth toward their baby. Whatever your current level of knowledge about infant formula, you will leave this course confident in your ability to provide the support and information that helps both parents and babies thrive.