Many parents choose bottle-feeding over breastfeeding. In this case, the key is choosing the right formula, one that will provide your precious bundle of joy with all the required nutrients. Most formulas on the market are made from a cow’s milk base. The only change is that makers modify the level of protein, carbohydrates, and fats for a baby’s consumption. Additionally, baby formula from a cow’s milk base has vitamins and minerals added to meet the body’s requirement.
With a cow’s milk based formula, lactose is the carbohydrate source, which most babies handle without problem. To make formula convenient, you will also find them available in cans, dry powder, and readymade. Although breast milk is always the best solution, manufacturers have worked hard to create formulas that come close to providing the same level of nutrients found in breast milk.
In the past 10 to 15 years, baby formula has come a long way. As more and more researchers have understood the factors relating to what a baby needs, anywhere from premature to and older baby, formulas have changed. Even so, honing the formula to the perfect breast milk has still not been achieved although quality formulas will help grow a healthy, strong baby.
For cow’s milk formula, you typically find two options. First, there is a formula known as “first stage”. The second option is known as “second stage”. The difference between the two is that the second stage is great for hungrier or older babies. In addition, cow’s milk formula will have different types of protein, depending on the manufacturer. For instance, some types of formula are made with whey and others, casein. The difference is that first stage formulas generally have a much higher ratio of whey.
The thing to remember with cow’s milk based formula is that some babies are allergic or lactose intolerant. That means drinking this type of formula can cause diarrhea, vomiting, excessive spit up, and rash. In this case, your pediatrician would likely recommend soy-based milk, even goat or sheep’s milk.