Tips on how to choose the right baby formula
Formula may be less appropriate than breast milk but also of great help in some cases.to be able to make your baby stay healthy here is what you must consider.
1) Start with cow’s milk
- Soy milk is popular in the adult world, but for your baby, start with formula made from regular cow’s milk.
- “Most babies will tolerate cow’s milk-based formula very well. “They are usually the least expensive, and have variations to help fussy babies or babies with digestive problems.”
2) When it’s not OK, choose soy
- If your baby doesn’t seem to be responding to the standard cow’s milk formula, whether it makes him or her gassy, causes a rash, or something else, it might be time to switch to soy milk.
- Soy protein has been controversial, because excessive exposure can potentially have hormone-like effects.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using a soy-based formula in very specific instances, like when an infant has a milk allergy. But don’t switch without talking to your pediatrician first.
- It is very rare that an infant cannot digest lactose. There are no data showing that choosing a soy formula improves fussiness or colic, and generally most pediatricians do not recommend soy formulas over cow’s milk formulas for most illnesses or conditions.
3) Age matters
- Make sure you buy the formula for your child’s age range. Formula for a newborn has a different composition of vitamins and minerals than a formula intended for a 6-month old or a toddler.
- In the end, parents can rest easy knowing that all formulas are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. So although pediatricians all have their favorite brands, “there’s really no wrong choice.”
4) Different Types of Formula Milk for Babies
- There are different types of formula to suit every baby’s needs. Some include:
a) Cow’s Milk Based Formula
- Most of the baby formulas have cow milk as its main ingredient. The manufacturers alter the protein of the milk to make it easier for children to digest.
b) Soy-Based Formula
- In soy-based formulas, the brand modifies the plant protein to ease its digestion. The doctor will recommend soy-based formulas if you are a vegan, or your child faces difficulty in digesting cow based milk formula.
c) Lactose-Free Formula
- Lactose intolerance, commonly put as the inability to digest lactose, is a rare condition in babies. But if detected, the pediatrician will recommend a formula that has corn syrup instead of lactose.
d) Extensively Hydrolyzed Formula
- In the formula, the brand breaks down the protein into smaller parts to make it easy for babies to digest. The doctors recommend this type of formula for babies who face difficulty absorbing nutrients or babies with multiple allergies.
e) Metabolic Formula:
- If your baby is ill and requires specific nutrition, then the doctor may recommend metabolic formula.
