There are so many choices and options, it can be difficult to choose the right baby organic formula for your child. The decision about what baby formula to use will depend on many factors. These include your baby’s health, cost, and many other factors. It will all depend on what your baby will accept.
For the first six months, breast milk or formula should be the only source of nutrition for your baby.
Formula feed buyers should be aware of all options in order to make informed buying decisions.
Formulas for Baby Formula
When choosing formula for your baby, there are three preparation options.
- Powdered: Powdered must be combined with clean waters. Although it is more economical than pre-mixed forms, it can be bought in larger quantities.
- Liquid concentrated: The advantage of using concentrate over powdered formulas is that you can make a batch and store it in the fridge for up to 48 hours. It’s slightly more expensive than powdered formulas.
- Ready to feed: With no mixing or measuring required, ready-to eat options are the easiest to use. You can store open containers in the fridge for up to 24 hours. These are the most costly options.
Types of baby formula
Formula makeup is similar to breastmilk, but formula may contain different ingredients. One of your children might have taken down something that was happy, but it may not be appropriate for them or their sibling. There are many basic formulas, including:
- Cow’s milk-based: These formulas are suitable for most babies and made from cow’s dairy that has been processed to make it easier for infants to digest. Most cow’s milk formulas contain iron.
- Gentle: These formulas are less lactose-rich than regular milk-based formulas. This makes them more suitable to babies with some gas or fussiness.
- Lactose-free: These formulas are still made from milk, but the lactose sugars have been removed so that they can be used by babies with lactose intolerance.
- Added Rice Starch: These are for babies who have acid reflux or excess spit-up. The rice starch helps to keep the formula down.
- Soy: This alternative is for children with galactosemia and lactose intolerance.
- Hypoallergenic: These are for babies who have milk protein or soy allergies. They contain pre-digested (hydrolyzed), proteins to aid in absorption.
- Amino-based: These formulas are suitable for babies who have soy and milk allergy, but can’t tolerate an elemental one.
- Formula to Prevent Premature Babies: These options provide more calories and nutrients for low-birth weight and premature babies.
- Next-step or Toddler: Older toddlers and infants between 9 and 24 months old can move to this formula.
Baby Formulas – Special Ingredients
Scientific research is improving and many formulas can now closely mimic breastmilk. These nutrients and compounds are found in most baby formulas.
- Iron is necessary for blood formation. Supplementation can be beneficial especially for premature babies
- DHA is essential for healthy brain, eye and nervous system development
- Prebiotics/probiotics: Necessary for healthy digestion through gut microbiome maturation, as well as immune support
- Antioxidants: Can help decrease inflammation
These ingredients and many other formulas are also available in baby formula stores.
Cost
You can save money by choosing a store-brand formula if you are looking for best organic baby formula.
Do You Need to Switch?
Remember, the best formula for your baby is the one that you will accept. These are signs of formula intolerance
- Unexplained fussiness
- Excessive gas
- Diarrhea (which can be bloody).
- Spitting up
- Vomiting
- Poor weight gain
You can try switching to a different formula if your baby has a problem with the current one. However, changing the brand of formula won’t help unless you also switch to different types. To get help before changing formulas, bring any symptoms to your paediatrician.