Choosing Baby Formula : Tips and Criteria for Selection
You're likely aware that breast milk remains the optimal choice for newborns due to its numerous benefits. Easily digestible and packed with essential nutrients, it meets infants' needs up to around the sixth month. It contains antibodies that boost the baby's immune system and supports proper development.
However, if breastfeeding isn't an option due to various reasons, you'll need to explore suitable infant formulas. These alternatives to breast milk, known as "infant formula" or "first-stage milk," are widely available in pharmacies and supermarkets.
But how do you choose the right one for your baby? Before making a decision, take a moment to read this article. It provides insights into various types of baby formula, including first-stage milk, and offers guidance on selecting the most suitable option for your child.
Brief introduction to infant formula
When a baby is born, it is recommended to give him exclusively breast milk. However, when mother does not want to breastfeed or if she is unable to do so, in particular because of a problem related to parental leave, it will be suggested that she feed her infant milk. Early milks are suitable for feeding a newborn until it is possible to diversify their diet, in other words, around 4 to 6 months.
First-stage milks are regulated to ensure they meet specific composition standards necessary for infant nutrition. They are formulated to fulfill all the nutritional requirements of babies during their initial months until they are ready for supplementary nutrition.
Manufacturers continually conduct research to develop milk compositions that closely resemble breast milk in both composition and quality. Typically derived from modified cow's milk, these formulas are adjusted to suit infants' digestive systems. However, in recent years, some manufacturers have begun using goat's milk as a base for their products.
Each infant formula available on the market contains a specific ratio of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins, iron, and minerals. All nutrients in these formulas must adhere to regulatory limits.
Before introducing first-stage milk to your baby, it's advisable to consult your doctor. With the array of options available, selecting the right formula for your baby's needs can be challenging. It's worth noting that there are nearly a hundred standard first-stage milk options, excluding therapeutic formulas.
Choose infant milk according to your child’s age group
No matter what product or accessory you plan to buy for your little angel, whether it is clothing items, a small night light or a childcare accessory, before making your choice, you must refer to the age of your child. Likewise, one of the main criteria to take into account before purchasing milk is its age. In fact, each age group corresponds to a type of milk. Here, we will discuss the first age milk intended for infants until their 6th month, the ideal 2nd age milk up to 12 months and the 3rd age milk that the toddler can consume until their third year.
Focus on milk 1st age: 0 to 6 months
Also known as "infant formula," first-stage milk is derived from processed cow's milk, formulated to closely resemble the composition of breast milk. It typically contains low levels of protein and salt, along with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. First-stage milk is suitable for nearly all babies, particularly those without any specific health issues. You can find it readily available at pharmacies or supermarkets.
What you need to know about milk 2nd age: 6 months to 12 months
Typically, around the seventh month, infants transition from first-stage to second-stage milk. This marks the onset of introducing complementary foods into their diet. It's important to recognize that second-stage milk alone cannot fully meet your baby's nutritional requirements. Similar to first-stage milk, second-stage milk is accessible in supermarkets and pharmacies, sometimes labeled as "follow-on milk."
What about milk 3rd age ? Up to 36 months
Referred to as "growth milk," third-stage milk is intended for children with fully diversified diets. Typically, mothers introduce this milk to their toddlers around the age of twelve months. One notable feature of this milk is its provision of essential fatty acids and iron, crucial for babies' development.
Choice of infant milk: depending on the state of health of the toddler
To opt for this or that milk and choose the one best suited to your little one, it would be best to first talk to your pediatrician. This is because before turning to a particular milk, you must consider various parameters, such as the age of your baby, his characteristics and his physiological state.
If your child is allergic to a substance, if he reacts negatively during his bottle feeding or if you encounter any problem whatsoever with your little angel, notify the doctor, who will advise you. In any case, you should know that all milk undergoes control, the aim of which is to ensure that certain composition criteria are respected, in accordance with European regulations.
There are three main categories of infant milk, namely:
- Milk 1st so-called standard age: it is designed for a baby in excellent health, without any illness. It is available at the pharmacy and in supermarkets;
- Milk for functional disorders: it is intended for children with mild digestive problems, such as constipation, colic or even regurgitation. You will also find them at the pharmacy and in supermarkets;
- So-called therapeutic milk: this milk is only sold at the pharmacy. It is aimed at children who suffer from illnesses such as lactose intolerance, gastroesophageal reflux or allergy to proteins contained in cow's milk.
Some facts to know before purchasing milk 1st “standard” age
Regardless of the brand that makes them, milks 1st age that you will see on the market all meet the nutritional needs of infants. This, whether you get it from supermarkets or the pharmacy. The fact remains that each manufacturer selects a distinct content for each nutrient included in its product. The following few indications will allow you to make the best choices.
- First, choose milk with added long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Under current rules, DHA levels should be between 14 and 35 mg per 100 ml. Also, the ARA intake should be equivalent to or greater than this rate.
- Second, the ideal protein level should be less than 1,36g per 100ml.
- Also, it is better to opt for milk with low salt content, which should be less than 23,6 mg per 100 ml.
What about milk for functional disorders?
If your child suffers from mild digestive disorders, give him milk specially formulated to remedy functional disorders. Here are some types of milk in this category.
Milk against constipation
If your baby only “poops” once every 2 days, it is very likely that he is constipated. Choosing milk with more lactose and less casein will be more beneficial. On the other hand, if his stools are rather soft, it is recommended that you reduce the lactose content of his milk, and at the same time increase the casein level. This will help reduce pain related to constipation.
Milk against regurgitation
Very often, infants are subject to regurgitation until their first birthday. It is possible to reduce regurgitation with milk rich in casein and with a maximum dose of 2 g/100 ml of starch, in order to thicken it. This type of milk is called “thickened formula milk”. It should be noted that if you are looking for thickened milk, you will only find it in pharmacies.
Satiety milk
Satiety milk helps to appease the hunger of a greedy baby or to distribute its bottles, without increasing its calorie intake. In this case, you will favor milk with a high level of casein, with added starch and less lactose.
Some useful recommendations to finish
As you will have understood, the choice of infant milk for your baby depends on certain criteria, such as his age or his physiological state. And as you have also seen, there are several kinds of milk. But one thing is absolutely to remember: cow's milk is not suitable for infants. This is because its protein content is too high. In addition, it contains little iron, vitamins and zinc, but too much sodium, mineral salts, essential fatty acids and saturated fatty acids.
Along the same lines, the consumption of plant-based drinks, called “milk”, is not suitable for infants. Among these plant-based drinks, we can cite oat, rice, coconut, soy, chestnut, hazelnut, almond milk, etc. In reality, these milks do not correspond to the standards imposed by the regulations of milks 1st age. In addition, they do not meet the child's dietary needs. The same goes for milks of animal origin, such as sheep's milk or goat's milk.
In all cases, if you cannot give breast milk, know how to carefully select infant milk for your little one. As a guide, if your baby is exclusively bottle-fed, you will need to buy him at least one 400 g box of powdered milk per week. If you decide to bottle feed, do some research on formula before baby arrives. Just as you buy baby accessories well before birth: clothes, wall night light, diapers, etc., already think about purchasing first -age milk.