Your Baby's Important First Year

One of the first and most important decisions you must make as a new mother is how to feed your baby. Of course, breast milk is best for infants, because it not only provides all the nourishment they require, but also provides protection by building immunity.

For mothers who cannot breastfeed or who, for various other reasons, decide not to breastfeed, infant formulas are available. Although a standard cow’s milk–based formula is typically the first recommendation your health care professional will make if you are not breastfeeding, formulas have been developed for babies with special needs or conditions.

To help meet the needs of babies who are not breastfed, Wyeth offers a range of infant formulas, including the following:

• An advanced, premium infant formula with the preformed long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPs) arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from pure vegetable sources, suitable from birth onwards (see Golden Ingredients)
  
  
• An ultra-premium follow-on formula with preformed AA and DHA from pure vegetable sources, nucleotides, and a pleasing flavor for infants 6 months of age and older
  
  
• An antiregurgitation formula with a thickening agent to help reduce spitting up
  
  
• A lactose-free cow’s milk–based formula for babies with lactose intolerance
  
  
• A soy formula for babies with cow’s milk allergy or lactose intolerance

Your baby will grow faster during the first year than at any other time of life. Generally, by the end of the first 12 months, your baby's birthweight will have tripled, and his or her birth length will have increased by 50%. Also, brain weight triples during this time. In this period of rapid growth, proper nutrition is an essential part of good care.

Your Baby

• Instructs you in the basics of caring for your baby, with attention to the special needs of premature infants, and lists developmental milestones.
  
  
• Discusses the advantages and techniques of breastfeeding.
  
  
• Tells why and how a baby may be nourished by bottle feeding.
  
  
• Shows what to look for when choosing a formula.
  
  
• Explains in detail the process of weaning your baby.
  
  
• Advises on feeding concerns such as diarrhea in the nutritional context.

Breast milk is best for babies. Infant formula is intended to replace breast milk when mothers do not breastfeed. Good maternal nutrition is important for preparation and maintenance of breastfeeding. Introducing partial bottle feeding could negatively affect breastfeeding, and reversing a decision not to breastfeed is difficult. Professional advice should be followed on infant feeding. Infant formula should be prepared and used as directed. Unnecessary or improper use of infant formula may present a health hazard. Social and financial implications should be considered when selecting a method of infant feeding.