It can be difficult to make the decision to feed your baby formula as many feel that breastfeeding is more beneficial. Whether you choose to do so for medical reasons or otherwise, you’re still going to want to ensure your baby is getting all the right stuff, and this starts with choosing the right baby formula.
There are a lot of baby formulas on offer and so it can be overwhelming when making a decision. This article is going to take a look at 7 top tips to help you feel confident choosing the right formula.
Pay attention to form
Baby formula comes in three different forms; ready-to-use, liquid concentrate and powdered. Ready-to-use speaks for itself as it’s the most convenient form. Liquid concentrate requires being mixed equal parts formula and water. Powdered however is the most compact and economical form of formula but instructions needed to be followed carefully in order to mix the right amount.
Stick to one
Once you’ve chosen which form of formula to use, try and stick to it as best you can even though it may seem like your baby isn’t digesting it well to start with.
Colic and gas are unrelated to your baby’s diet and so should have almost no impact on choosing the right baby formula. If you’ve been trying a certain type of formula for a few weeks with no improvement, speak to your doctor about the possibility of switching.
Ask for advice
Your baby’s paediatrician is going to be able to provide the most accurate advice for choosing the right baby formula. They may be able to suggest several different formulas to try and give you a good idea as to which ones will benefit your baby most.
Don’t be afraid to go soy
You may find that despite trying a cow’s milk formula, you’re baby just doesn’t seem to be getting along with it. This could be that there’s a recurring rash, or that they’re very gassy. It’s always worth speaking to your paediatrician first, but don’t be afraid to switch to a soy milk formula.
Brand names vs. generic names
Some mums can be wary of generic names. And nine times out of ten you’re going to receive recommendations for both types of formula. When you’re choosing the right baby formula, don’t get caught up on the brand names. All formulas require meeting specific regulatory guidelines and so they won’t be bad for your baby, it will simply be personal preference.
Organic isn’t all that
Spending the extra money on organic products can sometimes be a waste. There’s no added research to suggest that organic is somewhat better than non-organic and so it would be worth saving your pennies and just choosing what’s appropriate.
Take note of age
Each formula you consider will be specific to an age range. Make sure you take this into consideration and buy whichever formula is most appropriate to your baby’s age. The importance behind this is down to the vitamin balance that will be specifically developed to help successful growth and development.
Resources:
https://www.babycenter.com/0_how-to-buy-baby-formula_1334669.bc?
http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/baby-formula#2-4
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/health-wellness/articles/2014/06/18/how-to-choose-the-right-baby-formula
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