The health and well-being of your baby is the priority of any new parent. Since one of the most significant aspects of the health of your newborn is a well-balanced and nutritious diet, it is important to know both what your baby needs and what products are best suited to meet these needs.
Having this information in your mind when you go out to buy baby formula will allow you to make the best decision for your child. Since many babies are exclusively formula-fed and unable to eat solid food until a certain age, the quality of the formula that you buy will be the fundamental determinant of the quality of their diet.
To help you make the best decision, let’s look at some of the essential things to look for when buying baby formula.
Consider The Source
Every supermarket and online store is filled with dozens of different formula preparations that are designed to suit the nutritional needs of every baby. Since every child’s needs are slightly different, the source of the formula that you purchase will need to be considered carefully.
For example, most babies enjoy and are sufficiently fed with traditional cow’s milk-derived formulas. Cow’s milk formulas make up the vast majority of products on the market today and are respected for their complete and balanced nutritional profile. They are often fortified with other essential vitamins and minerals which make them a standby for mothers everywhere.
However, babies with lactose-intolerance cannot handle the lactose in cow’s milk. If they are fed these formulas, they will experience digestive irritation and many other unpleasant symptoms. In these cases, you need to find a lactose-free variant of formula. Goat’s milk formulas, for example, are a good option. Though these are not completely lactose-free, they contain far more casein than lactose which makes them easier to digest.
If you want to provide your child with exposure to your lifestyle choices, then you might opt for a plant-based formula as well. There are many almond, soy and other plant-based options to choose from for this purpose. However, you need to be confident in the product you are using to ensure that your child is getting the right nutrients they need. These formulas are usually less nutritionally dense, so make sure that they are fortified with sufficient vitamins and macronutrients to avoid complications.
Think About Your Own Convenience
While the nutritional quality of formula is a vital consideration, you can consider this factor while also considering your own convenience. There are many different formula types that require different methods of preparation before you can feed them to your child.
For example, powdered and concentrated formula types require a bit of extra effort. These formulas need to be mixed with water until a suitable consistency is reached before they are appropriate for consumption. Too much or too little formula in these mixtures can cause digestive troubles or deficiencies in your child. While these are completely fine for mothers who have the time to spare and can prepare them with precision, it may be preferable to purchase ready-to-use formulas if you find that taking care of your child is already consuming enough of your time.
Learn More About Infant Nutritional Needs
With so many different products on the market, the choice you make of formula for your child will depend on their unique nutritional needs. Some formulas, for example, include extra omega fatty acids or additional iron to ensure that babies do not develop deficiencies of these critical ingredients. Make sure to know what your particular child needs by discussing formula options with your family doctor.