Breast milk should always be the first choice for newborns. However, doctors will often recommend a formula for babies with certain health issues – like those who are suffering from intestinal malformations, metabolic diseases, and also for premature infants because they all have unique dietary needs.
To ensure health as well as growth, baby formulas must contain the right amount of water, protein, carbohydrate, vitamins, fat, and minerals. These formula products can also be divided into three types:
-
Milk-Based Formulas
They are manufactured from cow’s milk. Many of them have added vitamins, vegetable oils, iron, and minerals. Some products like Holle Formula from Europe even have omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Parents can choose a good-quality milk-based formula if they cannot breastfeed.
-
Soy-Based Formulas
These products are developed from soy protein but have added vegetable oils, sucrose, and/or corn syrup that provides carbohydrates. These are good options for infants who cannot consume lactose, which you will find in milk-based formulas. Parents who want their infants to become vegetarians can also opt for these formulas. However, these formulas should be avoided for preterm infants or those with low birth weight.
-
Special Formulas
There are some special products as well for the infants who were born with low birth weight, for the babies who are allergic to proteins (whey and casein), and those who must have a restricted salt diet.
Good baby formulas should also have the right proportion of water, protein, carbohydrate, vitamins, fat, and minerals.
Water
This is always an important part because a large proportion of a baby’s body is made up of water. Properly prepared formulas should have about 85% water. You don’t have to add water in liquid ready-to-use products.
But you must add water if you are using a powder concentrate. Read the manufacturer’s directions carefully when you are adding water. Remember, it can cause water intoxication if you add too much water or if you add water to a ready-to-use product. Water intoxication, in extreme cases, may even reduce the blood sodium level, cause coma, and brain damage.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates (lactose, glucose, galactose, sucrose, etc.) provide energy for the muscles, brain, and other organs. Most infants can take a formula with lactose, but there are some who are lactose intolerant. They can have cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, bloating, and gas. Some other infants are lactose deficient. They cannot digest lactose properly, which too can cause complications. It is best to choose a formula where there is no lactose, such as Lactofree, which is a milk-based formula.
Proteins
Proteins have amino acids, which are linked together. They provide both amino-acid building blocks and calories that the baby will need for growth.
In breast milk, proteins give between 10% and 15% of the daily calorie requirements of a baby. Whey and casein are two important proteins in breast milk. They are also present in high-quality products like TheBestFromJapan. Remember, the formulas from different companies will have different proportions of the two proteins, which is why it is important to stick with only the most reliable brands.
Some babies are allergic to cow proteins, which give them diarrhea, abdominal pain, skin rash, rectal bleeding, and wheezing when they have milk-based formulas. Change your formula and these symptoms will go away. You can select a soy-protein formula because there is no cow milk in these products. Most of these formulas also don’t have any lactose, so they are good for babies who are lactose intolerant.
Some infants are allergic to both soy proteins and cow-milk proteins. They need a special product where the casein or cow-milk protein is “predigested” and also specific amino acids have been added. In such cases, it is best that you talk with the pediatrician first.
Fat
Fat provides a lot of the daily calorie requirements. In formulas, there are many vegetable oils that provide this fat, such as soy, corn, coconut oils, and safflower. In some products, you will find “predigested” fats or medium-chain triglycerides (MCT). They are unique in nature, and thus, are not usually recommended for infants.
A lot of research has been carried out in recent years to find the best ratio and concentration of fatty acids for the nutrition of infants. A few studies have recommended that the right fat proportion can improve both visual acuity and short-term cognitive skills in infants.
Vitamins
Babies require vitamins in small quantities for their growth and health. They must get the vitamins from food because the human body cannot make them. The only exception is vitamin D, which the skin produces when it receives sunlight. Babies who are only consuming breast milk and those getting less than 32 oz. of formula a day won’t have adequate vitamin D. They require a vitamin D supplement.
But remember, some vitamins in high doses can be bad for your health. For instance, a high dose of vitamin A may cause vomiting, headache, brain swelling, bone abnormalities, and liver damage. A lot of vitamin D can also make the blood calcium level too high, which can cause heart and kidney problems. Once again, always follow the direction of your pediatrician.
Parents naturally want to offer the best nutrition. Breast milk is always the top choice. It has also been recommended by the WHO. But thanks to modern science and research, we now have many good infant formulas as well. Just be sure of what you need and make sure that you read the label carefully before buying. Change and approach your pediatrician if you see any adverse reaction.
