How to Choose the Best Baby Formula

There are many various infant formula brands, varieties, and even forms available. In the end, there is no one “correct” formula for your child; what’s best for your child may not be the same as what’s best for other families.

What is the Best Way to Choose the Best Infant Formula?

While your baby’s precise requirements will vary, there are a few suggestions to follow to help you narrow down your search.

Consult your Child’s Paediatrician:

 Your child’s paediatrician can advise you on the best type of formula for your child.

Take into account any dietary or allergy restrictions your child may have. Is there any on your baby? If this is the case, consult your doctor to see if your child requires a special formula.

Choose a Controlled and Dependable Brand

Dr. Abelowitz recommends checking with your paediatrician and choosing a brand that is FDA-approved (which, remember, all U.S. formulas are!) and has been on the market for a while.

You are not Obligated to Follow the Hospital’s Instructions:

Dr. Feeley adds that if the hospital gave you a specific type of formula after your kid was born, you don’t have to use it indefinitely. “All of the hospitals I’ve worked at are literally contracted (with a company for a set period of time), so they give Similac six months of the year and Enfamil six months of the year.” As a result, one isn’t necessarily superior to the other.

Recognize that a Price Increase does not Always Imply a Higher Level of Quality:

Again, all infant formulae marketed in the United States are held to stringent safety regulations, so you won’t have to worry about your family’s safety when choosing a formula brand from the store.

What should you Look for in a Baby Formula?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires all infant formulas marketed in the United States to fulfil strict dietary criteria, so while each formula is different, you can rest assured that all of the options on the shelf are regulated. “I always compare the varied formulas to Coke and Pepsi: they’re almost the same, but somewhat different,” Dr. Feeley explains.

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Dr. Abelowitz is in agreement. “We constantly warn parents that, just like different Tylenols and Motrins and brands, there almost isn’t one that is superior than the other when you have dozens, if not hundreds, of different types of possibilities,” he says.

In addition to all of the chemicals that the FDA specifies in a organic baby formula, some formulas on the market also include a few extra nutrients that may aid your infant’s growth and development, such as DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (amino acid riboside) (arachidonic acid).

formulas may also contain prebiotics or probiotics, which are designed to support immune health. The most common example you’ll probably see on formula labels is 2′-FL HMO (aka 2′-fucosyllactose human milk oligosaccharides), found in breastmilk and believed by some doctors not hurt but rather help maintain a healthy gut flora while allowing baby’s digestive system time get used fully at its own pace without any stress from extra ingredients that could cause inflammation if ingested earlier than needed. 

The Bottom Line

Choosing a baby formula might be difficult. Ingredient lists are written in a foreign language, and there are a bewildering number of options for exhausted new parents to pick from. We researched the nutrient profile of baby formulae for hours, paying close attention to the types of carbs and protein and how they resemble breast milk. We looked into the statistics and research around newborn allergies and intolerances, then used that information to compare products. We also looked at how ingredients were procured, as well as their availability and cost.

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