Which Formula Is Best For Supplementing Breastfed Babies
Many hospitals use pre-prepared formula because it is more sterile. It can be bought already packaged in disposable nurser bottles, which means very little risk of contamination. This is a great option for preemie babies. It is also sold in larger containers for older babies.
The biggest pro of pre-prepared formula is that it is the ease-of-use. You don't have to worry about mixing the wrong amounts, which makes it very friendly for babysitters! It is also the safest option when there is no access to clean water. It can also make traveling with baby stress (and mess) free.
On the negative side, after it is opened, liquid formula has to be used very quickly. It is also more expensive. If a baby is receiving only one or two bottles per day, then there may be a lot of spoiled formula and wasted money.
When using powdered formula, it is very important to follow either the exact mixing directions listed on the container, or the instructions given by a pediatrician. Anyone mixing the bottles must use sterile water, and must wash their hands before preparing the formula. However, once a mother knows how many bottles her baby will use in a day, she can pre-mix them and store them in the refrigerator. There will be instructions on the container for how long a bottle can be mixed before it needs to be eaten or thrown away.
Another, less common type of formula is concentrate. It requires mixing like powdered formula, but is liquid, making it neater than powder. The price falls in between powdered and liquid formula in most cases.
Regular, Lactose-Free, Soy, Organic?
Once you've decided whether or not to go with liquid or powdered formula, the next question is which type? Most formula is made from a cow's milk base. Whereas most infants do well on this type, a lactose intolerant baby may need lactose-free formula or soy formula.
All formulas need a special balance of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals to make them nutritionally balanced. What makes the difference in brands is the ratio of these basic elements, as well as the amount of synthetic nutrients, chemicals and other additives.
Some of the varieties of formula on the market include:
- Cow's milk base
- Goat's milk base (in some countries)
- Lactose Free
- Lactose reduced
- Soy base
- Organic
- Hydrolyzed formula
- Preemie formula
- Milk fortifier
This is where a pediatrician's advice is needed. If a baby has no health issues, then a cow's milk based formula is usually all that is needed. A baby that does not tolerate lactose well (very rare) may be placed on lactose-free, lactose-reduced, or soy based formulas. If the intolerance to the proteins is so severe that even soy milk irritate's a babies digestive system, hydrolyzed formula (which has the proteins broken down farther than regular formula) may be prescribed. These "hypoallergenic" formulas may even be recommended if doctors suspect a risk of milk intolerance based on family health history.
A doctor may suggest that a premature baby or one with weight-gain issues be supplemented with special formula designed to provide extra nutrients. Almost all formula brands now have a version that is designed for the needs of preemies, and some of these are divided into special needs formulas. For example you might need a preemie formula especially processed for babies with severe acid reflux.
With more parents making healthy choices, organic formulas are gaining in popularity. Although no organic formula is perfect (many still contain palm oil, which is difficult for babies to digest), they are still considered a better alternative to mainstream formulas. Organic formulas are created using animal and plant products that have not been exposed to chemicals or antibiotics. I suggest reading this article for more information about additives in organic formulas, as well as data about the big companies behind the little brand names.
Read full article from Which Formula Is Best For Supplementing Breastfed Babies
No comments:
Post a Comment