FAQ: Baby Formulas

 

 

Deciding whether or not to breast feed is one of the most important decisions a new mother must make. Not all mothers are able to breast-feed, though, and those who can’t must rely on one of the many available baby formulas on the market. Also, even mothers who can breast-feed supplement with baby formula. If you do decide to use formula, the following Q&A will answer many of questions you might have about the products:

 

Q: Are there different types of baby formula?

A: Yes. You can choose from among cow-milk, soy-based and protein-hydrolysate baby formulas.

 

Q: Which is the best type of baby formula?
A: All types have their benefits. Cow-milk baby formula proves the most popular because it best resembles human breast milk. Some babies, though, are allergic to cow-milk formula. Soy-based baby formula serves as one option in those cases. Protein-hydrolysate baby formulas – also labeled as hypoallergenic baby formula –feeds those babies allergic to both cow-milk and soy-based formulas. 

 

Q: Which is the best brand of baby formula?

A: All baby formulas sold in the United States must meet nutrient standards set by the Federal Drug Administration in the Infant Formula Act of 1980. The FDA set these standards to ensure that all baby formula brands contain the minimum recommended amount and the maximum recommended amount of nutrients. This allows you to shop for formula with confidence and without confusion.

 

Q: Are store-brand baby formulas as good as the brand-name formulas?

A: As mentioned in the previous answer, all baby formulas meet the same nutritional standards in this country. Store-brand baby formulas not only meet the FDA standards but also nutritional levels recommended by the U.S. National Academy of Science-National Research Council and the American Academy of Pediatrics. They also cost significantly less than brand-name baby formulas, with savings of up to $600 a year on average for families.

 

Q: Which is the best store-brand baby formula?

A: One company actually makes the majority of store-brand baby formulas. Perrigo Nutritionals produces 50 formulas, which are available in more than 30,000 retail stores in the United States. It keeps the cost of its baby formula brands low by investing in high-quality ingredients and high-tech manufacturing, instead of into marketing.

 

Q: Is ready-made formula better than concentrated liquid or powdered formula?

A: The only different between the three forms is the convenience factor. You can feed your baby ready-made formula without having to add water, which both concentrated liquid and powdered baby formulas require. As you can imagine, though, ready-made formula costs more than those that require mixing. You may opt to use a combination of ready-made and another type, saving the more expensive ready-made for when you must feed your baby away from home.

 

Now that you know the basics about baby formulas and baby formula brands, shopping the formulas found on the shelves of your favorite store will prove much easier.

 

About the Author: Maya Ross writes about motherhood issues for a number of parenting publications. She has two children, one whom she breast-fed and one who could not. Since Ross learned that store-brand formula offers the same nutritional benefits as well-known baby formula brands, she has been educating others on the subject whenever possible.

Related posts:

  1. Intro to Baby Formulas: Types
  2. Toddler formula question…?
  3. Having difficulities in feeding food and milk to my 14mth toddler?
  4. Get the Scoop About Safety Standards for Baby Cribs
  5. Why do women on here say that Toddler Formula “doesn’t offer anything that cow’s milk doesnt.” ?

Tagged with: • • •

Filed under: Toddler Activities

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!