31.3.15
Babies Formula
5:19 AM
If you choose not to breast feed your baby, or if you can not for any reason, you will be feeding your baby formula. While breast milk is always best for a newborn baby, it is not always an option and babies formula is a great substitution. When you sign up for any freebies or when you go visit a doctor, you are going to get free samples and offers for formula. They all make great claims, and you may be confused as to what you should give your baby, which brand is best, and what the differences really are. You'll be happy to know that for the most part, they are all equally good for your little one.
All babies formula brands make claims that they are the best for your baby. The two differences that you should be aware of are the milk based and soy based formulas. Most babies start out on milk based. This is made with a cow milk base with proteins that are broken down so that your baby can digest them. Normally, they can not really handle cows milk until they are a year old. If your babies formula does not agree with your baby, you may then be told to give them a soy based. There are a few other special types of babies formula that can also be used if soy is not an option.
As for what brand to feed your baby, this is really a judgment call. Your pediatrician may recommend a brand, or you may be given a certain brand of babies formula if you participate in WIC. You can go with what you were sent as a sample, or choose something else based on price. All baby formulas made in the US have to have the same components, making them all essentially the same. You don't have to worry that your baby is getting less nutrition if you chose one brand over another. Do not buy foreign formula, as you do not know what you are getting or if it is even safe.
Some babies have problems with digestion at first. All formula brands of babies formulas have specialty formulas that you can use. If you have a premature baby, for example, they may be put on Neosure by Similac for the first six to nine months of life. This is because it has a few extra calories per ounce that a preemie needs to gain weight. Enfamil and other brands may also have a similar formula for preemies. There are also babies formulas for fussy babies that have gas problems and other common newborn issues.
If you want to change from one brand of babies formula to another, you may worry your baby is not going to adjust well. Because they are all required to have the same things included, going from one milk based to another or from one soy based to another should not do much. There may be a slight change in taste but your baby won't mind. When you go from milk to soy, or from soy to milk, you may have to watch for an adjustment period. For more details and help with babies formula, talk with your pediatrician about your options and for their recommendations.