As any doctor will tell you, breastfeeding your baby for at least the first 6 months of their lives in the best, however, if you have chosen for whatever reason not to breastfeed but rather bottle feed instead, here are some baby formula nutrition facts that may be of interest to you when trying to decide which formula will provide the most health benefits for your infant. It is important to know that every baby’s system is different. What one formula worked for one baby may not work for yours and vice versa. Do not make a large investment at the grocery store on formula until you decide which brand your infant tolerates the best.
Milk based formulas seem to some people to be the obvious choice to give to their infants, when in actuality it can cause severe constipation as well as a future milk product allergy when they graduate from formulas. The leading brand names for the formulas with the highest nutritional value are Enfamil Lipil, Nestle Good Start Gentle Plus and Similac Advance. If your baby tends to be more on the “gassy” side, try giving him/her a formula that is “gentle”. Many babies have severe acid reflux. If your baby spits up quite often, try giving him/her a formula with added rice starch. This will help control the acid reflux, allowing your infant to absorb all of the nutritional value. If you and your doctor suspect that your infant is lactose intolerant, they may suggest putting your infant on a soy based formula. Be watchful of this type of formula as it can lead to constipation.
Once your baby reaches the age of 12 months, they are able to graduate from formula to Vitamin D whole milk. You should never attempt to give your baby regular milk products before the age of 12 months as they are more susceptible to dairy allergies at that point that can carry through adolescence and adulthood. If breastfeeding is not the answer for you, these helpful baby formula nutrition facts will help you to determine the best formula for your infant to have during their first year of life.