I know the formula feeders where I work get written info in their
patient education binder, and the nurses are supposed to review the info
with her before a mom leaves, but the moms never do any mixing until
they get home.  They go home with the notion that formula feeding is so
easy-all you do is unscrew the cap, replace it with a nipple, and feed.
Very few, however, can afford to continue using the already prepared and
bottled ready-to-feed.  We know nursing mothers become more casual about
feeds as they get more experience.  I suspect the same is true with
formula feeding moms.  In the case of the latter, however, there may be
consequences for baby is she consistently fixes the formula "outside the
directions".
Perhaps, instead of using the too-easy 3 or 4 ounce preprepared bottles,
hospitals should use powder.  Each baby's bottle would need to be
prepared individually before feeding.  Each baby would have its own can
of powder and bottle of water.  This way the mom will go home with a
more realistic picture of bottle feeding and the nurse will have an
opportunity to be sure mom REALLY knows how to prepare the formula!

Winnie

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