7 Different Types Of Infant Formula You Should Know About
No alternative can replace the goodness of breast milk for your baby in the first six months. It is the best gift that you can give to your newborn as it helps enhance your baby’s immunity system and meet the nutrients required for its growth. However, there may be certain situations when breastfeeding is not possible. Baby formula foods have been invented to step in under these circumstances.
MomJunction will help you choose the best formula food for your baby. Read on to know more.
What to Look for In a Baby Formula?
Points that you should be kept in mind while choosing a particular infant formula for your baby are:
- Your infant is prone to infections as the digestive, and immune systems are not completely developed. You need to take extra care while choosing and preparing your infant’s formula food.
- While purchasing a baby formula, you must consider the form it comes in and also which type of protein and carbohydrate it contains and if it suits your baby’s and your family’s lifestyle.
Different Forms of Infant Formula:
There are three different forms of baby formula available in the market:
- Powdered
- Ready to use
- Liquid concentrate
1. Powdered Baby Formula:
This is the most inexpensive and environment-friendly baby formula option. It occupies little space during transportation and in your kitchen. But there are certain drawbacks:
- This form takes additional time for preparation, and it is a must that you follow the directions to prepare the food.
- It has a short shelf-life of one month after the container is opened.
- Canned powder formula contains less BPA (chemical Bisphenol A) which is found in the lining of cans.
2. Ready-To-Use Baby Formula:
This is the easiest way to prepare formula food for your baby as it does not require mixing or measuring, just open and serve.
- Hospitals provide this formula to your baby.
- It is hygienic and most suitable when you are not sure of the safety of water used to prepare feed for your baby.
- It comes at a price (as compared to the other two forms discussed here) as it costs 20% more per ounce than the powdered form.
- This form has a very short shelf-life as it has to be consumed within 48 hours of opening the can.
3. Liquid Concentrate Form:
This form of formula needs to be mixed with equal amounts of safe drinking water.
- Liquid form is little less expensive than the ready-to-use formula and also occupies less storage space.
- When compared to powdered formula, it is expensive but easy to prepare.
Different Types of Baby Formula:
You must know about the type of baby formula you are getting for your baby as it should suit its needs. It is recommended that you stick to one type and not switch to others even when your baby is having problems in digesting it at the first instance.
Some babies can have issues like gas, spitting out and colic, which are unrelated to the diet. Many times, these can be caused due to the still-developing gastrointestinal tract. Thus, it is advisable to try out any formula for a couple of weeks and even after that your baby is having a problem, consult your pediatrician for switching the type of formula.
The types of baby formula are:
1. Cow-Milk-Based Baby Formula:
This form contains just the right balance of carbohydrate, proteins, and fats required by your baby. Cow’s milk is the primary ingredient found in most formula foods, and usually, babies do well with this type.
2. Soy-Based Baby Formula:
When your baby has a problem in digesting cow’s milk, you can use this soy formula. It contains plant protein and is easily digestible. You can also give this formula if your baby is lactose intolerant, as it contains carbohydrate in sucrose or glucose form.
3. Lactose-Free Baby Formula:
If your baby is lactose intolerant, your doctor will advise you this type of baby formula. It contains different types of sugar as lactose is replaced with corn syrup.
4. Special Formula For Premature Babies:
If your baby is born with low birth weight, your pediatrician will recommend this type of formula. It contains more proteins, calories and medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) which are quickly absorbed. MCTs amount varies with different brands, and your doctor will advise you the right one for your baby. This formula will help your little one to gain just the right amount of body weight.
5. Extensively Hydrolyzed Baby Formula:
When your baby has a problem digesting larger proteins, especially when your baby has multiple allergies or a common issue of preemies (trouble in absorbing nutrients), your doctor will recommend this formula. In this type, the protein is broken into smaller parts and is easily digestible.
6. Metabolic Baby Formula:
If your baby is suffering from some disease and needs special nutrition, your doctor will advise this type of formula.
7. Human Milk Fortifier Baby Formula:
This type of formula is given to breastfed babies having special requirements. This type is sometimes needed to be mixed with breast milk and fed alternately with mother’s milk.
[ Read: Breastfeeding vs. Formula Feeding ]
How do Infant Formulas Differ?
There are usually six major ingredients in baby formula. They are carbohydrate, protein, vitamins, fat, minerals and other nutrients. One brand differs from the other by the particular element it uses and also any additional ingredients it has. Sometimes it can lead to confusion with various items listed on the content label. So, here we take you through the major ingredients in comparison with breast milk.
Carbohydrate:
Lactose is the primary component in breast milk and cow’s milk-based formulas. Corn maltodextrin is also used as a secondary carbohydrate in the formula. Lactose-free and special formulas contain carbohydrates like sucrose, modified cornstarch, corn maltodextrin, and corn syrup solids.
Protein:
Whey and casein are the two proteins found in breast milk. Nearly 60% whey and 40% casein is present in the breast milk. Most of the infant formulas have similar protein elements. Some also contain 100% whey.
Sometimes, the protein is partially hydrolyzed to avoid being hypoallergenic. You cannot use them if your little one is allergic to proteins. However, partially hydrolyzed formulas are known to treat atopic dermatitis when compared to cow’s milk formula. Completely hydrolyzed formulas are hypoallergenic, and you can safely offer them to babies who are allergic to protein.
Fat:
Breast milk contains a combination of saturated, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. Fat based formulas use a variety of oils to complement the fat structure of breast milk. They may include coconut oil, soy oil, high oleic sunflower oil and palm or palm olein oil. Though these palm and palm olein oils are widely used in fat based formulas, research studies say that they lower the absorption of calcium and fat. It means your little one cannot absorb much calcium and fat as she can from other formulas.
Vitamins And Minerals:
It is hard to figure out vitamins and minerals since they are labeled with their chemical names such as ferrous sulfate for iron, calcium pantothenate for vitamin B5, sodium ascorbate for vitamin C.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests offering a fortified iron formula for babies until they complete their one year. It is important that they receive minimum daily requirement of iron, i.e., 0.27mg for infants of up to six months and 11mg for babies of seven to 12 months, to reduce the risk of iron deficiency anemia.
Other Ingredients:
Brands modify their formulas by including any of these ingredients to make them different from others.
Nucleotides:
These building blocks of DNA and RNA are present in breast milk. They perform various functions and help in developing the immune system. Brands contain different quantities of nucleotides.
Rice Starch:
It is included in ‘anti-regurgitation’ baby formulas. Your child’s pediatrician usually recommends this type so as to prevent your child’s acid reflux.
Soy Fiber:
It is included in soy-based formulas to treat diarrhea temporarily. There is only one formula with soy fiber, known as Similac, which is proven to decrease the duration of diarrhea.
Amino Acids:
Taurine, carnitine, and methionine are usually included in soy formulas and also cow milk based formulas so as to match the amino acids present in the breast milk.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do Generic Brands Offer Sufficient Nutrition?
Generic brand formulas should meet the requirements of the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for the nutrients in formulas. The only difference between brand and generic formulas is the price. Whatever is the formula, you should take some time to check out the label for ingredients. Sometimes, elements may vary from one brand to another, and it can make an enormous difference to your little one.
Can You Make Your Own Infant Formula?
You can make your formula but only if you include all the ingredients in the right proportions. Homemade formulas are not suggested as they can cause malnourishment, and fail to add weight.
Can You Add Milk Or Cereal To Infant Formula?
Do not add any ingredients including vitamins, fatty acids, cereal, standard cow milk, olive oil or anything unless your child’s pediatrician recommends otherwise. Formulas are carefully prepared with appropriate dosages and adding anything to them can threaten your little one’s health.
If you are still unsure of the formulas to be used for your baby, check with your pediatrician. He will make a note of the baby’s age, health, and nutritional needs and advise you accordingly.
Share your suggestions or experiences of feeding your infant with formula in the comment section below.
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