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Below are the various types of milk
(baby formula):
COW'S
(WHOLE) MILK
Cow's milk does not provide a balanced diet for an infant
unless it has been diluted and sweetened before feeding.
Homogenized milk can be used for preparing infant formulas if it is properly
diluted and sweetened. Formulas prepared from whole cow's milk (whether
pasteurized or not) should definitely be sterilized so that all the bacteria are
destroyed. Sterilizing also breaks down the protein in milk so it is more easily
digested and less likely to cause allergy than if it were not treated.
SPECIAL FORMULAS
In case
of allergy or an incompatibility to cow's milk, your doctor may prescribe a
special prepared milk substitute. Evaporated goat's milk has probably been used
the longest. Soybean milk and a meat base milk are also used for special
formulas. Don't switch to these formulas unless the doctor suggests it.
There are also formulas using citrus or lactic-acid that he may prescribe if
necessary. He'll tell you how to prepare these formulas.
EVAPORATED MILK
Evaporated milk is probably the most economical formula available today. This is
cow's milk which has been concentrated to one-half its original volume,
sterilized, and sealed in airtight containers. An unopened can keeps
indefinitely. The addition of water restores it to the same consistency of
ordinary cow's milk.
Evaporated milk, because of the treatment to which it is subjected, is a
uniform, easily digested food which has been used with excellent success in
feeding infants. The heat treatment makes the milk less likely to cause allergy.
Evaporated milk can be prepared for infant feeding simply by adding the
prescribed amount of water, corn syrup, or a dextrin-maltose powder.
PREPARED INFANT FORMULAS
Proprietary formulas are among the most popular formulas today. They are quick,
easy, and convenient to prepare. And most of them provide the daily vitamin
requirement for a baby in an easily digestible form. These commercially prepared
formulas are actually a modification of cow's milk. And some of them achieve a
composition and physical property similar to human milk. Most of the products
include all the vitamins in the amounts required by the baby. Like evaporated
milk and dried milk, the processing renders them easily digestible. They are
available in liquid forms, requiring dilution before use, and in dried forms,
which must be reconstituted with water before they are ready for use. Either
form has the advantage of easy storage. They are easy to prepare, and by
requiring few utensils, they eliminate many chances of error. And because of the
rigid processing standards, sterility and quality are carefully controlled and
composition is uniform. These formulas do cost slightly more than the completely
home-mixed formulas, but the added convenience more than compensates for the
higher cost.
POWDERS
Most
powdered formulas come in resealable cans and are usually supplied with a
measuring scoop. Be sure to read and follow the manufacturer's directions
carefully. In most instances, one level measuring scoop of powder is added to
each two fluid ounces of water. In other words, 16 scoops of powder are added to
each quart of water. For easy mixing always add the powder to the water.
CONCENTRATED LIQUIDS
Concentrated liquid formulas are the most popular of all formulas. They are
slightly more convenient than the powdered forms because they are already in the
liquid form and, therefore, do not need to be dissolved in the sterilized water.
And because of this liquid form, you can either add the concentrated formula to
the water or add the water to the concentrated formula. Since they are both
liquid, there will never be a mixing problem. The proportions are also simple.
For normal dilutions, equal amounts of concentrate and water are used. This type
of formula preparation is ideal for traveling. |