Parenting: Everything You Need To Know About Baby Formula

Soy? Hypo-allergenic? Whole milk? Thanks to science, formula Feed has come a long way over the past century. Today, many U.S. manufacturers offer Vitamins and nutrient-rich formulas for parents and care providers. Most supermarkets contain a bewildering array of baby formula choices, with special formulations for babies with specific health needs and allergies.

Choosing to formula-feed your infant is a safe and nutritional option. Here is Everything you need to know about Baby Formula so that when the time comes to feed your baby, you are well-informed and confident with your choice.

What is Baby Formula?

Baby Formula is a special dietary food duplicating breast milk specifically for infants.1

As approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Baby formula can be a replacement for breast milk or used to supplement it.

The 2 top leading baby formula (powder) brands in the United States, Similac and Enfamil, are recording breakthrough sales in the last few years. Although there have been a few instances of causing NEC in babies using Enfamil, the baby formulas are considered a safe option.

Types of Baby Formulas:

Although breast milk offers the best nutrition for newborns, not every mom can or chooses to breastfeed. Supplementing with infant formula is a practical alternative if someone else feeds the baby or when they go back to work.

FDA-regulated commercially prepared baby formulas come in three main forms:

• Powders. The least costly options are usually mixed with water - one scoop to two ounces of water.

• Liquid concentrates. Costlier than powders, these are generally diluted with an equal part of water.

• Ready-to-use baby formulas. Often the most expensive and convenient ones, ready-to-use formulas can be poured straight into the baby's bottle.

Baby Formula Facts: What's in it for your baby?

Milk-based baby formulas

Ingredients: cow's milk, vegetable oils, vitamins, and minerals (as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics)

Milk-based formulas are appropriate for healthy, full-term babies.

Soy-based baby formulas

Ingredients: Soy protein, vegetable oils, corn syrup and/or sucrose (for carbohydrates), and sometimes iron

Good for babies with lactose intolerance or allergic to the whole protein in cow's milk, Soy infant formulas aren't recommended for low-birth-weight or preterm babies.

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Specialty baby formulas

This is a big category, comprising a wide range of products -- infant formulas for low-birth-weight babies, formulas thickened with rice starch for babies with reflux, and low-sodium formulas for babies who need a restricted salt intake.

How do you choose the right baby formula for your infant?

With all these available choices, how can you figure out what's best for your child?

Most babies tolerate cows' milk-based formula, and we rarely need to find an alternative. You can begin by asking your baby's pediatrician for recommendations. All formulas made in the United States meet strict FDA guidelines for nutrition. So your baby will probably do just fine on any of them. Check its expiration date, and don't buy damaged cans or bottles.

Tips for Using Baby Formula

Feeding

• Feed your newborn as much baby formula as they want. Please do not force them to finish a bottle they are no longer interested in. Most newborns eat about 2 or 3 ounces every 2-3 hours.

• Don't give cow's milk to a baby less than 1-year-old.

• If your baby has a lingering problem with spitting up, then remember to feed your baby a little less formula and more slowly.

Safety

• Don't heat the baby's bottle in the microwave.

• Microwave ovens heat unevenly. It creates hot spots in liquids that can burn your baby's mouth.

• Sterilize new baby bottles and nipples in boiling water for 5 minutes.

• Always wash your hands with soap before preparing the baby's bottle.

• Always keep prepared baby formula in the refrigerator until required.

A Final word

The formula is designed to nourish and support your infant's growth. No matter the formula you choose, your baby is bound to thrive. In the rare instance that a certain formula is not quite right for your baby, don't worry. There are plenty of alternatives in the market to choose from. Consult your child's Pediatrician when exploring alternate options.

When it comes to parenthood, you want your child to have the best possible start. Baby formula is a safe and balanced way to give this to your baby.