How to fortify breast milk to 22 calories with formula?

Understanding the Need for Fortification
Fortifying breast milk to reach a caloric content of 22 calories per ounce can be crucial for infants who require additional calories for growth and development. This need often arises in cases of premature birth, low birth weight, or specific health conditions that hinder normal weight gain. While standard breast milk typically contains about 20 calories per ounce, fortification can help meet the nutritional demands of these vulnerable infants.
Methods of Fortification
One effective method to increase the caloric density of breast milk is by adding powdered infant formula. This approach is generally recommended by pediatricians when a baby needs extra calories without increasing the volume of milk consumed. Here’s how to do it:
1. Consult a Pediatrician: Before making any dietary changes, it’s essential to consult your child’s healthcare provider. They can provide personalized recommendations based on your baby’s specific needs.
2. Choose the Right Formula: Use a commercially prepared infant formula that is designed for fortification. These formulas are typically available in both liquid and powder forms. It’s important to avoid using cow’s milk or other milk alternatives, as they do not provide the necessary nutrients for infants.
3. Mixing Ratios: To achieve the desired caloric content, you will need to determine the appropriate ratio of powdered formula to breast milk. For instance, adding a specific amount of powdered formula to a certain volume of breast milk can elevate the caloric content to 22 calories per ounce. The exact amount will depend on the formula’s concentration and the desired final volume.
4. Preparation: When preparing the fortified milk, ensure that you follow the mixing instructions carefully. Typically, you would dissolve the powdered formula in a small amount of water first, then mix it with the breast milk. This ensures that the formula is fully integrated and that your baby receives the intended nutritional benefits.
5. Storage and Feeding: Once prepared, the fortified breast milk should be used promptly or stored in the refrigerator for a limited time. Always check the temperature before feeding to ensure it’s safe for your baby.
Monitoring and Adjustments
After fortifying breast milk, it’s crucial to monitor your baby’s growth and weight gain closely. Regular check-ups with your pediatrician will help assess whether the fortification is effective or if adjustments are needed. Some infants may require different levels of fortification based on their growth patterns and health status.
Conclusion
Fortifying breast milk to 22 calories per ounce can be a vital strategy for ensuring that infants who need extra calories receive adequate nutrition. By consulting with healthcare professionals and carefully preparing the fortified milk, parents can support their baby’s growth and health effectively. Always prioritize safety and nutritional adequacy in these preparations to foster optimal development.

Is it OK to supplement breast milk with formula?

Exclusive breastfeeding is the recommended way to feed your newborn baby. However, this is not always possible, so you may need to seek other sources of nutrition for your baby. A good way to supplement breast milk is with formula to aid your baby’s growth and development.

How do I fortify breast milk to 22 calories with Enfamil?

❒ To make 22 calorie/ounce breast milk:

1. Add ½ teaspoon (1.1 grams) of level, unpacked Enfamil EnfaCare powder to 60 mL or 2 fluid ounces of breast.
2. Add ¾ teaspoon (1.7 grams) of level, unpacked Enfamil EnfaCare powder to 60 mL or 2 fluid ounces of breast milk.

How to fortify ready to feed formula to 22 calories?

To prepare a 22-calorie/ounce formula:
If you are using concentrated liquid formula, mix 5.5 ounces (163 mL) of formula with every 4.5 ounces (133 mL) of water. If you are using powder formula, mix 3 scoops of powder with every 5.5 ounces (163 mL) of water.

How do I transition from ready-to-feed to powder formula?

Start Slow: Replace one bottle of ready-made formula with powdered formula daily. This helps you to gauge your baby’s reaction to the new formula without overwhelming their system. Gradual Mixing: If your baby seems sensitive to the change, try mixing ready-made and powdered formulas in the same bottle.

How to fortify breast milk to 22 calories with Enfamil?

❒ To make 22 calorie/ounce breast milk:

1. Add ½ teaspoon (1.1 grams) of level, unpacked Enfamil EnfaCare powder to 60 mL or 2 fluid ounces of breast.
2. Add ¾ teaspoon (1.7 grams) of level, unpacked Enfamil EnfaCare powder to 60 mL or 2 fluid ounces of breast milk.

How to make 22 calorie formula with breast milk?

Usually you start at 22kcal/oz, higher can upset their stomaches. Then increase as tolerated and needed for weight gain. Fortifying to 22 kcal should be 1/2 teaspoon powder formula added to 90 ml of breast milk. This chart is from Children’s Hospital Minestota.

What is the calorie difference between breastmilk and formula?

Infant formula on the other hand has about 20 calories per ounce, which, compared to the average that we know for breast milk, is about 2 calories less than breast milk. There are formulas that are higher calorie, though these are typically used for infants in the NICU or who are having trouble growing.

Do babies need the same amount of breastmilk and formula?

Your baby typically needs less breastmilk in their bottle than they would formula because breastmilk has more nutrients per ounce, and your baby is able to digest it more fully than they would formula.

How much formula to add to breastmilk to increase calories?

❖ Prepare formula or expressed mother’s milk with an extra scoop of powdered formula per 8 ounces of prepared formula. Adding this extra scoop of formula will make a 25 calorie/oz formula. ❖ Do not feed your infant low-calorie foods such as water or juice.

Can I fortify my breast milk with formula?

Totally fine to mix! My son was a NICU baby and they had me fortify my milk with formula.