What type of formula is best for newborns

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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.

Products and services. Free E-newsletter Subscribe to Housecall Our general interest e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics. Sign up now. Infant formula: Your questions answered Here's what you need to know to choose the best formula for your baby. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Show references Questions and answers for consumers concerning infant formula. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed Dec. Kliegman RM, et al.

Feeding healthy infants, children and adolescents. In: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. Philadelphia, Pa. FDA takes final step on infant formula protections.

Kleinman RE, ed. Formula feeding of term infants. In: Pediatric Nutrition Handbook. There are three main types of formula:. For the full lowdown on formula ingredients, review the information on choosing a formula by the AAP. Do you think this content is helpful?

Let our editors know! HMO is important because it feeds good bacteria to the gut, where the majority of the immune system exists. It contains high quality protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids and no added corn syrup solids.

The brand also makes gentle formula for sensitive tummies, a reduced lactose formula and a plant-based soy formula. Neuro-Pro also contains DHA, proteins and baby probiotics for immune support.

Parents love the gentle formula that helps reduce fussiness, colic and gas. When it comes to babies who have extra-sensitive tummies, finding the right formula can be a bit of trial and error. This can lead to a reduction in fussiness, gas and crying. Similac NeoSure provides more protein, vitamins, minerals and calories than typical formulas, plus DHA and ARA omega-3 fatty acids that support brain and eye health , which may be helpful for newborns.

Organic baby formula is sourced from cows raised on an organic diet no pesticides, no antibiotics and uses naturally instead of petroleum-derived vitamins. Still, if your wallet can handle it, and going organic gives you peace of mind, then give it a try, Young says. Depending on your needs and preferences, these brands may be among the best organic baby formulas. It has no gluten or corn syrup, but it does contain palm oil.

The best formula for baby is one that fulfills all of their nutritional and dietary needs. Most important, though, the best baby formula for breastfed babies is less about the product and more about the protocol. To avoid a dip in your supply, pump when you can to make up for the missed breastfeeding session.

Feed baby upright, always with their head above their tummy. Choose a bottle nipple that flows more slowly, and burp your baby more frequently. Angled and vented bottles can help reduce gas too. Lactose is also in breast milk, but breast milk contains other compounds that help baby digest it, Young says.

So the best baby formula for gas may be a partially hydrolyzed option with no or low lactose. It includes DHA and ARA, iron, prebiotics and lutein for healthy development, and is a certified organic baby formula, a selling point for some parents. Other clues include fussiness, hard stools and unusually frequent spit-up. The formula also keeps the corn syrup content low. A colicky baby is defined as an otherwise healthy baby under 3 months of age who cries for more than three hours a day, more than three days a week, for more than three weeks in a row for no apparent reason, much to the distress of caregivers.