If you have ever accidentally put too little or much formula in your baby’s bottle, you know the panic that sets in. You might be wondering what to do.
Don’t worry, we are here to help! In this blog post, we will discuss what to do if you accidentally put the wrong amount of formula in your baby’s bottle.
We will also provide some tips on how to prevent this from happening in the future. Keep reading for more information!
We’ve all been there, tired, emotional, had no sleep and mixing formula!
Mistakes are easily made.
You lose track of counting, was it 3 or 4 or 5 you’ve done?
The phone goes in the middle of the great big formula powder session and the next minute you’re either giving your baby diluted formula or over-concentrated formula. Aaaagh.
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What happens if you measure baby formula wrong?
If you have wrongly mixed infant formula in your baby’s bottle, either too much or too little, it can cause problems such as gas, constipation, and even vomiting if too much or poor weight gain if too little.
Firstly if you have just lost track and have a wrongly mixed formula, the best thing to do is probably to throw it away and start again.
One extra scoop of formula may not cause serious health issues and you’re baby will probably be totally fine as a one off, but its better to be safe rather than sorry.
Why it’s easy to accidentally dilute or over concentrate baby formula?
It is easy to accidentally put too much or too little formula in your baby’s bottle, especially if you are not used to measuring it out.
This is because different formulas can have different measurements, and the scoop that comes with the formula might not be the most accurate way to measure it.
In addition, babies often drink different amounts at each feeding, so it can be hard to know exactly how much formula to put in the bottle.
If you have ever accidently put an extra scoop of formula in your baby’s bottle, don’t worry – there are a few things that you can do.
First, try to burp your baby. This can help to get rid of any excess gas that might be caused by the formula.
If your baby is still uncomfortable, you can try giving him or her a little bit of water to drink. Finally, if your baby has had too much formula, it is important to call your pediatrician.
If you’ve put too little as a one off in your baby will be just fine.
The warnings on the container are designed to prevent mothers from putting too little in the water.
A lot of women in low-income households try to stretch the formula tin by using less, which can lead to water intoxication and, obviously, poor weight growth.
What should you do if you accidentally measure baby formula wrong?
If you have put too much formula in your baby’s bottle, you should take the following steps:
-Remove all of the formula from the bottle.
-Wash and sterilize the bottle.
-Measure out the correct amount of formula for your baby’s next feeding.
-Give your baby that feeding according to his or her usual schedule.
-If your baby has any problems after drinking baby’s formula, consult your pediatrician or see professional medical advice.
Put the Water in First
Most of the times when parents make mistakes getting the correct amount of formula powder to water ratio is when they put the powder into the bottle first and then add the water to the level.
This is incorrect as you will not have enough water in the baby bottle and you will have extra formula.
If you’ve been mixing formula incorrectly like this over an extended period of time you might want to speak to your doctor. You might have noticed fewer wet diapers and baby is more constipated.
It’s vital to measure the water in the bottle first, get it to the correct level then add the powdered formula.
If you’re using a scoop to measure, it’s helpful to level off the top of the powder so that you’re not adding too much or too little.
Why Some Parents Add an Extra Scoop for Too Much Formula
Some parents add an extra school of baby formula to their formula container or baby’s bottle on purpose, as they believe, incorrectly, the thicker milk will help the baby sleep better.
This is quite dangerous.
If you mix the formula wrong, either by watering it down or making it excessively concentrated, the electrolyte balance is disrupted, which can have major neurological implications.
The incorrect ratio of formula to water might result in nutritional deficits or dehydration. It can cause a stroke, seizure, coma, or even death in the most severe situations.
Too much can actually lead to an iron overdose over an extended period. Even just one bottle with way scoops of formula too many can lead to poisoning.
You should always call your baby’s health care provider if you are concerned and unsure about how many scoops you have put in. your babies milk.
Why Some Parents Put in A Scoop To Little of Formula Powder
Some parents add one scoop less to their boiled water to save money. They believe that they can make the tin of formula last longer by watering down the powder formula in the bottle.
My heart bleeds for parents who need to make this choice, truly.
However, with watered-down formula baby will fail to gain weight.
They will not be getting the nutrition they need to thrive. In severe cases, babies might become malnourished and develop a condition called kwashiorkor.
Kwashiorkor is a kind of severe malnutrition. It is more frequent in underdeveloped countries because newborns and children do not obtain enough protein or other necessary nutrients.
The major symptom of kwashiorkor is an excess of fluid in the body’s tissues, which produces swelling beneath the skin (oedema).
If You’ve Given Your Baby Diluted Formula
If you have been trying to save money and are concerned about your baby’s growth chart then please speak to a professional.
Formula feeding is expensive, I know, but it’s important your child gets the nutrients they need to grow and thrive.
Use A Formula Dispenser
If you are having trouble measuring the correct amount of formula to water, it might be helpful to use a formula dispenser.
This will help you portion out the right number of scoops each time and make sure that your baby is getting the appropriate nutrition.
However, it is important when using a formula dispenser to ensure that you have measured correctly for the bottle size you are making.
If you usually make, say a 6oz bottle, and measure for that, but then your partner only makes 4oz with it, this will lead to inaccurate measurements and your baby will not be getting the right nutrition.
Boiling Water Helps to Mix Formula Properly
Some parents believe that if they boil the water before adding it to the powdered formula, it will help mix it better.
This is actually incorrect.
Boiling water only destroys some of the oxygen in the water and this can actually make it harder to mix the formula properly.
It is best to use room-temperature or cold water when mixing formula. You can add a little hot water if needed to help dissolve the powder, but do not boil the water and then add it to the formula.
It will cause your baby’s bottle to be too hot and potentially scald their mouth.
Remember to just add water to your formula. Just water, nothing else
Take Away
If you just lose count don’t panic, your are not a bad parent and its probably not a big deal.
I’m sure at one time or other we have all accidentally gave our babies the wrong amount of formula. Things happen! If you’ve not fed the formula to your baby, be safe and throw it away.
If you have been giving your baby the wrong amount (either too much or too little) for an extended period then call your doctor and seek medical advice.
Your baby’s amazing development track depends on getting the exact right amount of nutrition in each feed.
It can be easy to lose count of how many scoops you put in your baby formula bottle, but it is important to make sure that they are getting the right amount.
Using a formula dispenser will help you avoid under-or overfeeding your child and ensure proper nutrition.
If all else fails, just use cold water instead of boiling for better mixing. Remember not to add anything other than water when giving your baby their next feed – no sugar added!
Breast milk is always best for your baby, but if you are formula feeding, just be sure to follow these tips for the perfect bottle.
