Baby Formula Comparison
Breastfeeding is the ultimate form of infant feeding. It creates a special bond between a mother and a child. There is also no question that it promotes superior health and immunity to the child and plays a vital role in increasing a child’s IQ. Experts also agree that bottle-fed babies have higher mortality rate than those who are breastfed. Breastfeeding also promotes weight-loss and improved birth-spacing for a nursing mother. It is apparently time and cost-friendly because there is no need to buy milk, bottles and cleaners. A nursing mother does not need to go thru the hassle of infant milk preparation and baby formula comparison.
So Why Use Baby Formula Comparison?
- Whether it is your choice or not, there are several situations when a baby cannot be breastfed or has to wean:
- Mom does not have enough breast milk or can’t produce at all.
- Mom has a medical problem that prevents her from breastfeeding. There are some viruses or infections that are passed thru breast milk.
- Mom is taking medication or drugs that may affect the quality of breast milk.
- Baby has a medical condition such as cleft palate or has problems in sucking.
- A surrogate parent is feeding the infant or simply because mom is out working for long.
- Mom bore triplets or more, in which case everyone cannot be accommodated by natural feeding.
- Bottle-feeding in the community is a norm or mom doesn’t want to breastfeed in public.
Baby Formula Comparison Tip: What to look for in Baby Formulas
The list below will guide you when making a baby formula comparison. You have to decide on what to consider first based on your baby’s needs and the circumstances.
Baby Formula Comparison Tip: Nutritional Value
If you are living in the US, there is no need to be leery about baby formula choices because all manufacturers are required to comply with FDA regulations based on recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition.
For the benefit of everyone, the following is a list of nutrients essential for an infant’s and MUST be included in all baby formulas in the US: Protein, fat, linoleic acid, vitamins A, D, E, K, B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B6, B12 and C, niacin, folic acid, pantothenic acid, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, copper, iodine, sodium and potassium chloride, carbohydrates and nucleotides. Infant formulas made of cow’s milk must include biotin, choline and inositol.
Brand and Buyers’ Choice
Enfamil, Similac, and Promil are just a few top choices available in the market. Remember though that it is still best to consider professional recommendations.
Preparation Types and Price
- Powdered Milk – Has to be mixed with water and usually the cheapest.
- Concentrated Liquid – Has to be mixed with water, too but a little more expensive.
- Ready to Drink – Instant and the most expensive of the three. This has to be consumed within 24-48 hours to avoid growth of bacteria.
Variations
- Cow’s milk formula is the most common type and is widely used.
- If your baby is lactose-intolerant, a soy-based baby formula is advisable.
- Amino-based baby formulas promote less allergic reactions but are more expensive.
- Hydrolyzed formulas are either easier to digest or hypoallergenic.
Parents who decide to bottle-feed their babies need to be very meticulous in making a baby formula comparison because this is one of the foundations of what they will be in the coming years. It is still always best to consult an expert such as a pediatrician or a nutritionist.
For more on baby formulas, make sure you watch the video shown below: