If you’ve decided that formula is the best choice for you and your baby, you’ll be met with several choices at the store. It’s not always clear which is best. There is no one right choice. Rather, you have to search to find which is the right formula for your baby and you.
Choices, Choices
Formula comes in powdered form, concentrated liquid form and ready-to-drink form. You must mix the powdered and concentrated forms with liquid before you can give them to your baby, so it takes more time, but those are less expensive.
Another choice you have is the type of protein that the formula uses — cow’s milk and soy milk are the most popular, but there are other forms for babies with an allergy. Even within these categories, there are different brands with different prices, so your budget may affect your decision.
What to Look For
Aside from any preferences you and your baby might have and what’s available at your local stores, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a formula that contains iron. Additionally, you may want to look for a formula that also has the long-chain fatty acids DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid), which help brain and vision development.
Trying Formula
When you buy your formula in bulk, you can get a discount, but before you do this, make sure that it’s the right brand for your baby. The hospital where you delivered or your child’s doctor’s office probably has free samples of formula that you can try with your child. See if there seems to be one that she prefers over the others, then start by buying just one can of that brand. If she continues to do well with it, buy it in bulk to save money.
Sensitive Tummy
If your baby seems crankier after eating — especially if he seems to be in pain or pass a lot of gas — you may be using the wrong formula for him. Try switching brands. Your child may have a lactose intolerance, in which case you’ll need to buy a lactose-free formula. Some sensitive babies do best with a hypoallergenic formula.
Special Needs
Some babies require special formulas to meet their needs. For example, if your baby was premature, he might need a formula that has higher calories, and if he has allergies, he might need a formula that has broken down protein that’s easier to digest. If you are having a lot of trouble finding the right formula for your baby, talk to your doctor to determine the problem and find the best formula for him.
Make Your Life Easier
Once you’ve figured out the best formula for your baby, you can make feeding easier with this revolutionary bottle maker. Born Free Bottle Genius allows accurate custom measurements with the push of a button. It automatically portions out the correct amount of formula and water to make the perfect bottle at the right temperature, every time.
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