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Your growing baby: Taking the next steps

Every young parenting team is faced with the same questions, at the end of your child’s infancy; what clothes should they wear? Onesies or tees? While you may be able to find the answer to that question, quite easily from browsing this site. What is the right step in my child’s diet? During this pivotal time in your child's life, turning from infant to toddler. Most parents are faced with the same questions about weaning their child from formula or breast milk. When is the right time to wean a child? Generally, it is recommended that formula and breast milk be reduced by at least half by the time the child is one years of age. While doctors are more lenient on breast feeding, and its many benefits bottle feeding is a different story.

Chances are, your child has had a few teeth erupt by now. The bottle being the foe of your child's new pearly whites, most doctors and dentists recommend that you switch to a sippy cup, or straw sippers to prevent contact on the teeth. This said, what are the thoughts on next step formulas?
We, ourselves as parents were faced with this choice during the weaning process. Our daughter wouldn't take cows milk, or soy milk for the life of us. So, concerned about having her get all of the vital nutrients that she was missing we decided to take the plunge into the next realm of formulas. She had done well on Enfamil with lipil and iron during her infancy, however in the end she was getting bored with the flavor and the texture. Often times, a six ounce bottle would only be sipped upon until one or two ounces were drained. However, with the first bottle of Enfamil next step lipil (A cow's milk supplement, enriched with many other minerals and vitamins) was sucked dry. She adored this stuff! Perhaps the flavor had changed? Or possibly the texture?
It did seem a bit thicker, and the bottles ended up being a sticky mess if any of the formula got upon it. However, the only problems I have found with the formula and weaning, was the fact that the thick formula couldn't be sucked from a sippy or a straw sippy without much effort. I would suggest trying your sippy cups prior to purchasing a large amount unless it is authorized by your pediatrician, or pediatric dentist that you can continue bottle feeding. Remember, all medical professionals discourage laying your child down for a nap, or bed with a bottle of formula. These night-time bottles should be filled with water only.

One other problem with the next steps, is that they are not covered by most WIC, or infant food supplemental programs. While infant formula can run anywhere from ten to fifteen dollars a 25oz can, you can expect to almost double that for the same size of can for the Next Step formulas. Generally they run anywhere from eighteen dollars on sale (if you find the 20% more cans on sale snatch them up! They go quickly), to thirty dollars per can. Generally, the average child will steam through one can anywhere from one to two weeks. So, this next step though a positive one, does have its drawbacks. Take your time to mull it over, and decide whether or not you, your child, and your pocket book are ready to take the next step forward in formula.

Your growing baby: Taking the next steps

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