Using Infant Formula
How you feed your baby is an important decision. Peterborough Public Health supports all families by providing information based on facts, and an opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns you may have. This will help you make an “informed decision” that is right for you. Information on safely preparing, feeding, and storing infant formula can be found here:
Booklet – Infant Formula: What You Need to Know
If you use well water to prepare formula, it is important to have your water tested for contaminants such as nitrates and bacteria.
Know the facts
Research continues to show that there are health differences between feeding infant formula and breastmilk. We know now, more than ever, how important breastfeeding is to you and your baby’s health. Babies who are not breastfed have a higher risk of:
- Gastrointestinal infections that cause diarrhea
- Ear infections
- Respiratory tract infections like colds and pneumonia
- Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
Research also suggests that breastfeeding may protect against obesity and type II diabetes later in life.
Mothers who do not breastfeed have a potentially higher risk of:
- Breast and ovarian cancers
- Chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes
Buying infant formula and bottles can also be expensive.
It is also important to remember that the decision not to breastfeed can be difficult to reverse or change. It is important to continue to remove breastmilk from the breasts by direct breastfeeding or expressing by hand or pump if you wish to offer your child breastmilk now or in the future.