Choosing The Right Baby Formula
At the hospital, doctors and nurses will ask you about all sorts of things regarding your plans for baby care. One of the most important decisions to make is on the baby formula that you will feed your child. If you have made a decision not to breastfeed your child, you will need to choose a specialized baby formula for them. Babies should not receive cow's milk due to the increased risk of allergic reactions to it. How do you determine the right formula for your child?
Doctor's advice for Formula Feeding
In some situations, your child's pediatrician will help you to make a formula decision. They often will help you pick a brand and a specific formula type to give your child. Once on this type, you should not switch the child, as often as it is possible, as it can help to decrease the risks associated with a child getting a negative reaction. The doctor will look at your child's health needs first to determine the best type of formula type for the child. You do have a say in this, though. For example, if you and your family only drink soy products, then you may wish to ask the doctor for a soy-based product.
Formula From Cow's Milk and Soy
What are your options with formula? There are many. A cow milk-based formula is perhaps the most commonly available formula today. It has alterations to make drinking cow’s milk more beneficial and easier for the baby. You should not give your baby cow's milk until about twelve months of age.
Other types of formula include a soy-based formula, lactose-free formulas, and extensively hydrolyzed formula (which has the proteins broken down to very small sizes so that the child can digest it better. Another option is a human milk fortifier. This product is in use to add nutrients to breast milk that you are feeding to your child. Metabolic formulas have a design specifically for the child that has a disease or has a specific need. In addition, there are formulas designed specifically for children who are low birth weight babies or prematurely born.
Making the right formula decision is critical to your child's overall health and well-being. Make this decision with the help of your doctor to ensure that the baby is getting the nutrients that he or she needs. When changes need to be made, talk with your doctor about these, too.