Infant Formulas
These baby formulas or infant formulas are available in many forms but most commonly used is powder form. They are useful especially for mother with impaired breastfeeding abilities which may be due to breast implant, mastectomy due to breast cancer or other function disorders. Infant formula is the second best nutrition for babies after breast feeding but still it’s good enough. So mothers should not feel bad if they are feeding their toddler on infant formula.
According to United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations following must be included in every baby formula: Fat, protein, linoleic acid, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamin (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin B6, vitamin B12, niacin, folic acid, pantothenic acid, vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, copper, iodine, sodium, potassium and chloride. Any brand baby formula can be sold in market only if it meets minimum nutrition requirements approved by FDA for baby formula.
Once you decide that you bottle feed your baby, you must choose the infant formula you are going to use. Usually family doctor or pediatrician gives the choice of infant formula. If baby is intolerant to cow’s milk then use of formulas made with soy milk is recommended. Still if your baby can’t digest cow’s milk formula, then goat milk baby formula can be used with vitamin supplement. Both soy and cow’s milk are available in ready to use, concentrated liquid or powder forms. These forms have price difference and former is more expensive.
Similac by Abbot Laboratories, Enfamil baby formula by Mead Johnson, Nature’s One, Parent’s choice. Baby’s Best, Good start, Bright Beginnings, Baby’s only and many others are manufacturing organic infant formulas. Nestle baby formula and Enfamil baby formula is so far most popular and best baby formula.
Infant formulas come for premature babies, infants, newborns and toddlers. You can choose one which best meets your babies nutrition requirements. How good baby formula made milk is for the baby can be measured by Absorption of nutrients, tolerance by gastrointestinal tract and infant’s growth.
Make sure to mix the baby formula according to instructions written on container. Measure carefully and never use more or less water than required. Certain allergies or iron need may require use of another infant formula. Always talk with your doctor before switching to another formula.
Many mothers look for free baby formula samples. So many brands are providing free samples of baby formula as marketing tool, to allow parents test if company’s product suits baby without hesitation. This improves sales of infant formula manufacturers as well.
Organic baby formulas are now available from many brands which are purely natural and allow continued growth and development. Organic infant formula means that cow whose milk is being used for formula making has not been fed on genetically engineered or fertilized food. Only natural food is supplied. But organic baby formula might be missing several vitamin and minerals which are required for normal growth. Most popular infant organic formula is soy based for lactose-intolerant babies.
Be sure to stay informed about baby formula. Recall as some manufacturers might be producing wrong or under nutritional formula. And you must avoid use of such infant formulas.
