Feeding a Baby Formula: Choosing the Right Formula for Your Infant

Feeding a baby formula is at times a choice that is made by some mothers that are unable to breastfeed and for mothers that rather feed the baby by a bottle instead of offering breast milk. While breast milk clearly has advantages when feeding a baby in terms of nutrients and the child’s immune system, feeding a baby formula also gives the baby the necessary nutritional requirements that he or she needs to thrive and grow. Feeding a baby formula is an appropriate method for feeding the child for the first year of his or her life. A question may arise, however, on how to choose a product when feeding a baby formula.

All of the formulas offered on the market today are governed by the Food and Drug Administration. When it comes time to choose a product for feeding a baby formula, you will have three distinct formula choices to choose from; there are formulas made with cow’s milk, formulas that are soy-based, and formulas made with protein hydrolysate.

Formulas are sold in pre-prepared cans which require no mixing before it can be fed to the infant. While these forms of formula are convenient, bear in mind that you will be paying more for the convenience. Less expensive options in terms of formula styles include the powered formulas that have to be mixed with specified amounts of water, and the liquid concentrate formula, which also requires the addition of water. You can save even more money if you consider purchasing generic versus brand name formulas for your child.

The cow milk formula offered on the market today is altered to make it more like the mother’s breast milk; this type of formula is digested with ease by some infants, but it can cause stomach upsets and allergic reactions in those infants that have a reaction to the proteins contained within cow’s milk formula. You will need to watch for allergic reactions and digestive issues if you offer this type of formula when feeding a baby formula; look out for a rash, irritability, stomach upset, and/or swelling. If you note any of the latter symptoms, cease giving the baby the formula and contact a physician for further feeding recommendations.

As an alternative to cow’s milk based formula, you can choose a soy based product when it comes time for feeding a baby formula. This product is specifically designed for infants that display an intolerance to the lactose found in cow’s milk formula products. Some parents decide to use this type of formula in order to keep their child’s diet free of animal proteins. While this formula is suitable for the lactose intolerant infant, allergic responses can still occur and you will once again need to note any symptoms associated with an allergic response to the formula you are feeding the baby.

Protein hydrolysate based baby formulas are a bit more expensive than other formula offerings, because they are formulas that cater to infants with allergies to more common types of formula. This kind of formula can be offered with a reduced risk of allergic reactions; it is also created in hypoallergenic forms. For those infants that cannot digest cow’s milk or soybean products, the formulas that are made of protein hydrolysate are far easier to digest and are, therefore, recommended.

Mayoclinic.com for information on baby formula selection at:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/infant-formula/PR00058.