Every baby formula product marketed in the U. Manufacturers must also notify the administration prior to marketing a new formula product. This level of scrutiny ensures that all U. In other words, you can rest assured that every baby formula on supermarket shelves will give your infant the nutrients they need to thrive. When a baby is nourished with infant formula rather than breast milk, there are a couple of ingredients and nutrients pediatricians recommend parents prioritize on the product label.
Lactose is the natural form of sugar found in breast milk that has a positive effect on both gut health and calcium absorption. Iron: The American Academy of Pediatrics AAP Committee on Nutrition also strongly advocates for formulas fortified with 4 to 12 milligrams of iron per liter to reduce risk of iron-deficiency anemia, which can impact brain development.
The FDA requires that all formulas are fortified with 0. To more closely mimic the natural composition of breast milk, many baby formula manufacturers supplement their products with fatty acids like docosahexaenoic acid DHA and arachidonic acid ARA.
Many formulas also feature prebiotics commonly found in breast milk, such as human milk oligosaccharides HMO , and probiotics with the goal of nurturing gut health and immune function. Early studies suggest probiotics can be helpful in healthy children experiencing acute viral gastroenteritis and other infections, and prebiotics can assist with softening stools, which may be beneficial for some infants.
While the data is promising so far, more research is needed. But these supplements do tend to raise the price of baby formula. Therefore, we considered them as part of the nutritional profile in our baby formula rankings but allotted them fewer points than highly recommended nutrients.
Powder baby formula is by far the most common type of formula. With the exception of baby formula designed specifically for babies born premature, our baby formula rankings only considered formulas that come in powder form.
Liquid baby formula is a ready-made, concentrated formula that needs to be mixed with an equal amount of water to dilute it before feeding. As it sounds, ready-to-feed formula comes pre-mixed at ratios designed for consumption. The most expensive formulas tend to be options made for medical conditions like a severe milk allergy, using extensively hydrolyzed proteins that render the formula lactose-free without introducing soy—another common allergen—to the ingredient list.
Hughes recommends consulting with your pediatrician to determine the next best formula to try. Keeping your little one nourished with baby formula might seem like a simple task, but there are several details to consider in keeping your feeding routine as safe and successful as possible.
Prices were determined by averaging at least two prices listed by Amazon, Walmart, Target and brand websites where applicable. A product earned the most points for being milk protein-based unless formulated specifically for allergies and iron-fortified. With the exception of baby formula designed specifically for premature babies, our baby formula rankings only considered formulas that come in powder form, the most commonly used type. Successfully weaning your baby, either fully or partially, from breast milk to baby formula during their first 12 months of life is a multi-step process.
First, read the instructions on your chosen baby formula packaging correctly. Most U. If concerned about possible water contamination, though, parents can elect to use sterilized water when making formula. Simply bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute to sterilize it, and then allow it to cool significantly before use. Add a scoop of baby formula powder as directed by the product instructions.
Secure the cap on the bottle and shake it until the formula is blended and smooth. Immediately feed the prepared formula to your baby or store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. The general rule of thumb is your baby should consume about 2. How much formula your baby needs and how often they want to be fed depends on their age and where they are in self-regulating their intake.
Alternatively, Natasha Burgert, M. When your little one reaches 12 months of age, most pediatricians will suggest transitioning them from baby formula to full-fat dairy milk.
Babies 12 to 24 months old should receive 16 to 24 ounces of whole milk a day, according to the AAP and the American Academy of Family Physicians. In , chemist Justus von Liebig developed, patented and marketed the first official liquid infant food baby formula , subsequently creating a powdered form with a longer shelf life.
Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. Code of Federal Regulations Title Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. She specializes in pediatric, gastrointestinal, and family nutrition.
She is a regular contributor to KidsHealth. Rachel uses her own experiences with infertility to write compassionate, practical, and supportive articles. Marley Hall is a writer and fact-checker who is certified in clinical and translational research.
Her work has been published in medical journals in the field of surgery, and she has received numerous awards for publication in education. Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products, and articles are reviewed by healthcare professionals for medical accuracy. You can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. Have you ever ventured to the infant formula section of your local pharmacy or grocery store?
If you have, particularly as an exhausted new parent, chances are you left a little overwhelmed. The great news is that all infant formulas are tightly regulated by the FDA, so they are all safe choices for your little one. However, it is challenging as a parent to feel that you're making the "right" choice. Rest assured that you do not need to make this choice alone. Always speak with your child's pediatrician to determine which formula—and how much to feed—is appropriate for your child.
While the infant formula market is certainly saturated, it is important to remember a few key details when shopping for formulas. Formula ingredients are tightly regulated by the FDA. There are certain criteria that all infant formulas have to meet, including a certain percentage from proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, and a very specific vitamin and mineral profile.
Whey and casein are the most common protein sources. Vegetable oils such as coconut, corn, soy, palm olein, palm kernel, palm, and high oleic safflower are common fat sources.
Maltodextrin and lactose a sugar found in human breastmilk are frequently used as carbohydrates. Which formula you choose should depend on the nutrition needs of your child. Some children cannot tolerate whey or casein from cow's milk and do better on a goat milk formula. Always look at the ingredient list, and discuss your infant's nutrient needs with their pediatrician. According to the AAP, all full-term healthy babies receive enough iron from their mothers to last for the first four months of life.
If a baby is fed a mixture of breastmilk and formula, speak with your pediatrician to determine whether iron supplementation is needed. Probiotics healthy bacteria and prebiotics food for probiotics are not required in infant formula, but may improve the gut microflora of the formula-fed infant. A clinical report published by AAP states that probiotics and prebiotics added to infant formula do not appear to be harmful for healthy infants, but "the clinical efficacy for their addition is insufficient to recommend routine use in these formulas.
Formula comes in powder and pre-mixed, ready-to-feed liquid. Powder formula usually requires mixing with water, while liquid formulas do not necessitate preparation.
Some formulas come in both forms, which is convenient, especially if you prefer pre-mixed formula for on-the-go, and powder for at-home use. Price is not directly correlated with quality. Be sure to speak with your pediatrician to do your research on what brand and product is most appropriate for your infant. Powder formula is generally less expensive than ready-to-feed, pre-mixed formula.
Some supplements have generic counterparts, which may be less expensive. Here, the best infant formulas:. Gerber Good Start GentlePro is an excellent overall formula. However, Gerber Good Start GentlePro is percent whey with a portion of the proteins predigested or hydrolyzed. Why does this matter? Casein is historically the more difficult protein to digest, at times, curdling in the stomach acid.
With predigested whey protein, we are giving those little bellies the most gentle introductory food. In addition to the partially hydrolyzed whey protein, this formula contains a mix of vegetable oils derived from palm olein, soy, coconut, and high oleic safflower or sunflower oil , lactose, corn maltodextrin, 2'-O-Fucosyllactose a prebiotic , ARA, DHA, and all necessary vitamins and minerals. There is not a "one size fits all" when it comes to infant formula, and an infant's needs change over time.
You may need to do a bit of trial and error—with your pediatrician's approval—before finding the infant formula that works best for your child. The budget-friendly formula offers complete infant nutrition that's made with non-GMO ingredients and no artificial growth hormones. The predominant carbohydrate source is corn maltodextrin, while the majority of the fat content comes from high oleic safflower or sunflower, soy, and coconut oils.
Anthony Porto, MD, pediatric gastroenterologist and pediatrics professor at Yale University , phone interview, October 16, and February 21, Jenny Thomas, MD, pediatrician and breastfeeding medicine specialist, phone interview, March 8, Grace J. Ahern, et al. Camilla R. Martin, et al. Dina M. DiMaggio, et al. Tracy P.
Our pick. Also great. Buying Options Buy from Target 35 ounces May be out of stock. Everything we recommend. More baby formulas to consider What about toddler formula? Why you should trust us. What to know about baby formula. Understanding baby formula labels.
It is found in breast milk in variable amounts. Milk fat globule membrane MFGM. What you'll read on the label CytidineMonophosphate, AdenosineMonophosphate, Disodium UridineMonophosphate, Disodium GuanosineMonophosphate, Disodium InosineMonophosphate What it is Makes DNA and RNA building blocks of our genetic material The evidence Several studies have linked nucleotides in formula to increased levels of certain polyunsaturated fatty acids in infant blood these fatty acids are thought to have benefits for the brain, but the link between nucleotides in formula and brain development has not been established.
One study showed increased weight gain and head growth for infants fed formula with nucleotides, compared with those fed a formula without nucleotides. The evidence Fructooligosaccharides, galactooligosaccharides, and polydextrose are structurally different from the gut-feeding sugars found in breast milk, and a review of 41 studies found they had no benefit.
What you'll read on the label Taurine What it is The most abundant free amino acid in breast milk, it helps absorb fat, helps the liver deal with waste, and appears to help in brain development. The evidence Studies have not shown a benefit to adding taurine to formula in the short term and long-term benefits have not been studied. Non-nutritive ingredients. The evidence All ingredients in formula are proven to be safe.
Porto, Thomas, and Young stated that most babies do well on traditional formula. Partially hydrolyzed: The milk proteins have been partly broken down, which makes them closer to the size of the proteins in breast milk. Extensively hydrolyzed and amino acid: The proteins have been fully broken down into peptides or amino acids.
You should consider these formulas only if your baby has a diagnosed medical need for them. A1 and A2 refer to the type of beta-casein a protein found in milk.
Human milk contains A2 beta-casein. But some cows produce A2 beta-casein, which is used in A2 formulas and is claimed to be more similar to breast milk. However, he acknowledged that for a baby who seems to have a milk-protein sensitivity, A2 milk formula could potentially be easier to digest, in the same way that formulas with broken-down or hydrolyzed proteins are.
Whey vs. Some formulas use whey protein exclusively without any casein protein. Milk fat globule membrane MFGM is a mix of phospholipids, fats, and proteins naturally coating the fats in breast milk. Now some companies are adding it back. Human milk is the ideal choice for preemies, however, it may not always be available.
Babies born prematurely may need additional support nutritionally. As a result, formulas for preemies focus on higher calories — usually 22 to 24 per ounce versus the standard 20 — to help boost weight gain.
They may also help promote long-term growth and development. Considerations: While most parents explain that this formula truly did help their babies catch up, some shared it came at a price of constipation, gas, and other digestive issues. And talk with your doctor about whether to use formula with extra calories and how long to continue with it — some recommend switching to term formulas after a few months.
Other options: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that liquid forms of formula may be safer for preemies and babies with compromised immune systems. In rare cases, powdered formula may harbor a germ called Cronobacter sakazakii that can lead to infection. Speak with your doctor if you have concerns and for specific formula suggestions. These formulas are also called protein hydrolysate formulas. This formula may reduce future allergy issues by up to 50 percent — again, according to Enfamil-sponsored research.
This formula is also on the higher end of cost per ounce. Some parents share that the formula smells and tastes bad.
Other options: You can also find Nutramigen in a liquid concentrate form. Some parents find this method more convenient. Related: Milk protein allergy: What are my formula options?
Formulas labeled organic must meet certain standards, like being made without contaminants like prohibited synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.
Organic formulas are also free from artificial flavors and colors, growth hormones, preservatives, and other additives. This means it may be more easily digested by babies who are sensitive to lactose which is very uncommon. Considerations: Some parents explain that they like the formula, but that it can be inconsistent from batch to batch some more foamy, for example.
Fun fact: Around 25 percent of all formula sold in the United States is soy based. Talk with your doctor before switching to soy, however.
Some studies show that preterm babies fed soy gain significantly less weight than those on standard formulas. The formula includes soy protein, vitamin D, DHA, and added calcium to support growth and development. Considerations: Soy may not be the magic answer for all babies. Some parents share that this formula made gas and colic issues worse with their little ones. Others say the powder is lumpy and difficult to mix.
Considerations: Some parents say this formula is hard to find at local stores and that ordering online can be tricky to remember. A few others say this mix made their babies constipated more than other soy brands. Your baby drinks a ton of formula in the first year.
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