Most leading healthy organizations highly recommend breast milk as the best source of nutrition for newly born infants. Some moms, however, opt for best formula for newborns as either breast milk substitute or as a supplemental nutritional choice for their babies — a decision that is may be made from their medical condition or breastfeeding comfort level. The best formula for newborns has proven to be helpful not only for moms who struggle to breastfeed, however. The best formula for newborns is also a nutrient that infants need to grow strong.
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Who Needs Infant Formulas?
There a lot of instances wherein breastfeeding for some moms may not be always possible. One may find it hard to produce enough milk to feed her baby, a dilemma for new moms with insufficient glandular tissue as well as those whose hormonal imbalance result to not having enough mammary glands to express milk. The best formula for newborns is great as an added milk supply to meet the baby’s nutrient needs.
In such cases where the mother has an advanced stage of illness caused by a virus (such as certain type of leukemia, AIDS, or HIV), the best formula for newborns is a safer nursing approach as there is a high rate of virus transmission from the mother to the infant through breastfeeding.
The best formula for newborns may also be a choice for on-the-go-moms who cannot fit pumping milk into their hectic schedule. The best formula for newborns may come in ready-to-consume or just need water-mixing as part of the preparation which can be conveniently left of in a babysitter’s care.
The best formula for newborns may also be recommended for infants that have a birth defect issues or inborn error of metabolism that makes breastfeeding almost impossible or difficult. Babies who are at risk for malnutrition can also receive help from the best formula for newborns for an adequate nutrient consumption.
Additionally, combining breastfeeding with the best formula for newborns is also worth the effort for moms who want to maximize the nutrient their newborn need for a healthy immune system and growth development.
What is an Infant Formula?
An infant formula is designed to give the nutrient an infant need to thrive and grow. Note, however, that it is different from growing-up milk or supplemental milk that is marketed for toddlers and children aged over one. The best formula for newborns is the first infant formula that is supposed to be fed to newborns under 12 months of age as an exclusive or partial substitute for breastfeeding.
The best formula for newborns is made of purified cow’s milk although some are manufactured in goat’s milk formula, both of which goes through sterilization and are altered to resemble a breastmilk. It has two types of protein namely whey and casein. There is more abundance of whey than that of casein, however, to make the formula be easier to digest for babies.
Depending on the manufacturer, the best formula for newborns may be blended with fat and carbohydrate source along with vitamin and minerals to meet the nutrient standard of the best formula for newborns.
Every infant can differ in needs, however. If you find your baby getting hungry than he or she normally should, still crying after a bottle or two of milk, you may opt for best formula for newborns labeled as Hungry Baby Formula (Hungry milk). This best formula for newborns has more casein than whey. Casein is thought to be longer to digest which stays in the body system longer and what tied the infant in between feeding. However, feeding an infant this type of best formula for newborns should be consulted to a midwife or health adviser first as it shares risk especially if the recommended scheduled feeding is not followed.
Other selections of specialized best formula for newborns include a lactose-free formula which is based on soy protein, meant for babies who are allergic to animal-based milk. In addition, there is also partially hydrolyzed best formula for newborns which is composed of predigested protein. This type of best formula for newborns is recommended for babies who do not have a tolerance for any milk-based formula.
The best formula for newborns can be bought in ready-to-use, powdered formula, or liquid concentrated forms. Ready-to-use best formula is the most convenient best formula for newborns as it can be directly poured into the baby’s bottle. Liquid concentrate best formula for newborns, on the other hand, needs diluting the liquid into equal parts of water as part of the preparation. The most economical choice for best formula for newborns so far is the powdered form which also needs mixing with a part of water.
As to what kind and type of best formula for newborns to used should always be in line with your baby’s need and demands. Your baby’s pediatrician can help you decide the best formula for newborns if you are unsure of what is best for your baby.
What Are the Benefits of Infant Formulas for Newborns
For some moms, breastfeeding alone does not always give the advantages when it comes to nursing their newborns. There are a lot of instances wherein best formula for newborns can bring benefits to both moms and newborns.
Helps with Milk-Supply: As mentioned, certain medical issues make it impossible for some moms to meet their breastfeeding goals. The best formula for newborns is manufactured to meet the nourishment needs of the baby whose mother struggles to produce milk.
Convenience: Feeding the baby with the best formula for newborns can be left to the care of everyone, including the entire family for a shared bonding experience with the baby. At the same time, the fair parenting arrangement also allows the mother to have her well-deserved rest.
Diet: The best formula for newborns does not restrict mom of the food and medications they need to take — something you would not envision with breastfeeding as anything the mother ingest can be transferred to the breastfed baby. With the best formula for newborns, food, medications, as well as the physical conditions of the breastfeeding mother are no longer a concern.
The flexibility of Feeding Schedule: In cases where the working schedule of the mother does not work in favor of the breastfeeding schedule, let alone breast-pumping, feeding the baby the best formula for newborns can be a great solution. Moreover, the best formula for newborns is not digested quickly, making formula-fed babies less demanding about feeding time.
Provides Additional Nutrient: The best formula for newborns can have vitamins and other nutrients such as vitamin D that babies cannot receive with breast milk alone. Additionally, bottle-feeding the infant the best formula for newborns also helps correct poor sucking reflex in some babies.
Helps Newborns Sleep Better: Because the best formula for newborns takes longer in the baby’s system than that of breast milk, moms do not have to deal with middle-of-the-night feedings, giving both the baby and the mother glorious night sleeps.
What Are the Precautions of Infant formulas for Newborns?
No matter which type of best formula for newborns you choose, it always helps to know that the one you are going for is prepared in the guidelines of Food and Drug Administration as well as by food code standards of Codex Alimentarius Commission. Also, always makes it a habit to check the end date as some formula, especially that those best formula for newborns that are ready-to-use, have a short lifespan of 48 hours. Meanwhile, a prepared powder or liquid concentrated best formula for newborns should normally be consumed within 24 hours.
Lactation consultants recommend waiting until the baby is a month old or so before introducing the best formula for newborns. The reason being, most babies at this stage are reluctant to try the best formula for newborns and any bottled food source of any kind. Switching breastfeeding and best formula for newborns back and forth will not help either as it just can cause nipple confusion. Another thing is that best formula for newborns have hard-to-digest ingredients that may lead to digestive issues, constipation and sleeping problems among babies under one month.
Alternating breastfeeding and best formula for newborns can diminish the milk supply of the nursing mother. One has breast milk supply is driven by frequent breastfeeding. Thus, the more you breastfeed, the more you stimulate your milk-making ducts. On the other hand, if you substitute the best formula for newborns with breastfeeding, it will take 3 to 7 days for your breast to adjust.
This can all be mediated, however, through weaning or the process of gradual replacement of breastfeeding with the best formula for newborns, usually in the baby is first 4 to 6 weeks or until breastfeeding routine and milk supply is well-established, so an occasional bottle of best formula for newborns will not be a problem to both the nursing mother and infant.
Always stick to the instruction on best formula for newborns, particularly on the proportion of the water that may be needed as too little or too much of water can either lead to diarrhea or dehydration.
It is important to know the amount of best formula for newborns your child needs. Most newborns will consume about three ounces of milk every 3 hours will need less at around six months. Consult a pediatrician if feeding best formula for newborns caused your baby to gain or lose weight more than the normal
Unless your midwife or your baby’s health care expert tells you otherwise, the best formula for newborns is not the only source of nutrition your baby needs. Most nutrition experts would agree that breastfeeding your child even the small amount of milk until 6 months or until the baby is able to eat solid food will support the baby’s immune system and brain development. While the best formula for newborns helps nourish your child’s growth and nutrient needs, nothing beats a breastmilk that has antibodies and disease-fighting substances that guards your baby against bacteria and virus-causing illnesses.
What Are the Best Infant Formulas for Newborns
While you may have to experiment to find that best formula for newborns that works well for your baby, you should be more cautious about changing formulas often as it is hard to accustom babies on a certain formula. For the best formula for babies that has long been trusted by moms, look no further than this top 5 products.
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Enfamil PREMIUM Newborn Infant Formula, Ready to Use, 2 fl. oz – 6 Bottles
Overview:
Made based on decades of research on human breast milk, this best formula for newborns by Enfamil Newborn consist of 80:20 whey-to-casein ratio for an easy digestion. It is added with brain nourishing inositol and Omega-3 DHA that resembles the composition of a true breast milk. This one is twice the Omega-3 DHA than most other leading brands, however, which give your child the nutrient advantage.
This is also the best formula for newborns that features 30 nutrients essential for the newborns’ immune system and general growth. Such is the Vitamin D that cannot be received with breast milk alone. Vitamin D is particularly helpful in an infant’s bone development. A patented prebiotic blend completes the key ingredients list of this best formula for newborns with an added immune support and healthy bowel movement– all in 20 calories per serving.
Enfamil PREMIUM Newborn Infant Formula is one of the leading best formulae for newborns recommended by pediatricians for newborns 3 months and under. This variance comes in the form of ready to use nursette bottle which preparation only needs shaking the bottle before attaching the nipple unit.
Pros
- The pediatrician recommended the best formula for newborns that is closest to real breast milk
- With added nutrients, nucleotides, and prebiotic blend
- Clinically proven best formula for newborns to support, immune system as well as eye and brain development
- Easy-to-digest
Cons
- Not prepackaged with nipple units and may need buying Enfamil own nipples as some regular nipples will not fit
Similar Pro-Advance Infant Formula with 2’-FL HMO for Immune Support, Ready to Feed, 2 fly oz – 8 bottles (Pack of 6)
Overview:
The third most abundant nutrient that can only be found in breastmilk is the 2’-FL Human Milk Oligosaccharide (HMO), a unique immune-nourishing prebiotic that fortifies an infant’s immune system. Similar somehow found a way to incorporate a structurally identical version of 2’-FL HMO in this best formula for newborns of theirs. Although the 2’-FL HMO is not derived from a breast milk, studies show that 2′-FL formula-fed babies have great immune markers like those of breastfed babies.
Other key ingredients include docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), Lutein, and vitamin E — all blended together to help the help the neural, eye and brain development of the baby.
Similar Pro-Advance Infant Formula is the only best formula newborns that do not employ the use of artificial growth hormones in the cow where the milk is derived from. The formula can be fed to newborns until aged 12 months. It is in ready to feed the best formula for newborns that comes with a pair of Similac’s disposable nipple unit and ring.
Pros
- The best formula for newborns that is backed up by 15 years of extensive research
- Inspired by a breast milk; made with prebiotics DHA, Lutein, and Vitamin E that like a human milk
- Non-GMO and free of artificial growth hormones.
- Comes in clinic-standard baby bottles and prepackaged with a nipple and ring
Cons
- Short shelf life; the formula needs the consumption within one hour once the feeding begins
Earth’s Best Organic Dairy Infant Formula with Iron, Milk-Based Powder (23.2 Oz.)
Overview:
Earth’s Best Organic Dairy Infant Formula is the best formula for newborns that has dairy ingredients derived from cows raised in an organic diet –resulting to a high-quality of protein, carbs, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acid source. On top of that, this best formula for newborns also employs the use of organic lactose and organic glucose solids as carbohydrates milk.
Among the other nutrients including Omega-3 DHA and Omega-6 ARA that is vital in baby’s mental and visual development. This best formula for newborns is enhanced with iron to further help your child’s brain development.
Where another baby formula has an alarming high content of corn syrup, this on only has a fair amount. In fact, the nutrition profile as well as the ingredients and preparations used in this best formula for newborns passed the standard guideline of FDA for an infant formula and is certified to be nutritionally complete.
Pros
- FDA and USDA certified organic and kosher best formula for newborns
- Well-rounded nutritional profile supports brain, eye, and immune system development
- No added corn syrups
- Free from artificial flavorings, preservatives, and harmful ingredients of any kind.
Cons
- Preparation of diluting the powder form may be a hassle for some
Gerber Good Start Soothe Powder Infant Formula (22.2 Oz.)
Overview:
It is normal for newborns to get fussy and cry a lot. However, if your baby cries more than often for no apparent reason, possibly for more than 3 hours a day in consecutive weeks, he or she has the symptoms of a colicky baby. Experts cannot still fathom what exactly causes a colic, but it is natural to wonder whether it has something to do with the baby’s formula since some causes gastrointestinal issues that result to a baby’s fussiness.
Containing Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) — which according to studies is the only comforting probiotics that help ease colic behaviors, excessive crying, and fussiness among babies — is the best formula for newborns by Gerber. It is backed up by 30 percent lactose that is also said to calm down crying babies. This best formula for newborns has partially hydrolyzed protein to relieve gastrointestinal and digestive issues — all while giving the nutrition like that of the breast milk.
Pros
- The best formula for newborns that is clinically proven to reduce crying time by 50 percent
- Breastmilk inspired nutrition
- Good for your baby’s digestion and normal bowel movement
- Made with expert-recommended DHA to help eye and brain develop
Cons
- Lumpy powder; takes time to dissolve
Nutramigen PurAmino Hypoallergenic Amino Acid Based Infant Formula (14.1 Oz)
Overview:
For infants who have allergies on cow’s milk or any animal-based best formula for newborns, it is important to find the best formula for newborns that is hypoallergenic. A soy-based formula may not do as 50 percent of infants with cow-based milk-protein allergy may also be allergic to soy protein.
The hypoallergenic best formula for newborns could mean deriving the protein composition from an amino acid, like that of Nutramigen PurAmino Hypoallergenic Infant Formula. An amino acid is said to be the building block of protein and the ideal protein-getaway for infants who are diagnosed with severe dairy allergies, multiple food protein allergies, protein maldigestion and protein malabsorption.
Furthermore, this Nutramigens’ best formula for newborns does not have allergens of any kind, at least according to Nutramigen. It uses a hypoallergenic fatty acid source in the form of coconut oil and palm kernel oil.
But it is identical breast milk nutrient composition that really takes this best formula for newborns to another level. As its stated in its packaging level, DHA and ARA are the essential fatty acid present like that of human milk’s, both of which are added to promote healthy visual and mental development. It is also iron fortified for baby’s overall growth development.
Because it is nutritionally complete, this is the best formula for newborns that can be used as a meal substitute for toddlers who have the same severe cases of allergies.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic best formula for newborns
- Ideal best formula for newborns with severe milk and protein allergies
- Nutritionally complete; suitable for both newborns and toddlers (from birth to 24 months old)
- Can be used as dietary meal substitute
Cons
- Taste needs improvement
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Our Choice for The Best Formula for Newborns
There is a reason Enfamil PREMIUM Newborn Infant Formula, Ready to Use, 2 fl oz – 6 Bottles is the no. 1 pediatrician-recommended best formula for newborns; it has the closest nutritional composition to a breast milk. Whether planning to supplement your breastfeeding or exclusively substitute this Enfamil’s best formula for newborns, rest assured that you are feeding your infant the complete nutrition he or she needs for growth development whilst fortifying immune system against disease-causing organisms.
