Choosing a Baby Formula for Your Baby

Most experts agree that breast feeding is the healthiest option for your baby. Whether it is time to go back to work, time to wean, or you never breast feed to begin with; all mothers face the same decision: What formula should I use?

There a dozens of choices, brand name versus store brand, Similac versus Enfamil, milk proteins or soy? How are mothers supposed to choose? Most use the formula brand that they are most familiar with, or that their friends use. Many new mothers do not know there are major differences between what is added to differing brands of formula.

DHA and ARA are now added to most brands of formula. Examples include Nestle Good Start, Similac Advance, and Enfamil Lipil. In fact the only brand without DHA and ARA added, at least in my local grocer, is Nestle Good Start Nourish Plus.

Prebiotics are making their way into baby formula. Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients that stimulate the growth or activity of bacteria in the digestive system which are beneficial to the health of the body. Enfamil and Similac both produce formulas that include prebiotics.

Antioxidants are in all baby formulas in my local grocery store. Antioxidants play important roles in the body. Similac Advance EarlyShield has a unique blend of antioxidants including lutein, lycopene, and beta-carotene found in breast milk and can help protect the eyes and skin.

For choosier moms there is also a wide variety of Organic formulas- now even store brands have gone organic! Target and Walmart offer organic formula in their brands, and even have a reasonable price tag attached.

I fed my oldest child name brand formula and my youngest child store brand. Both have turned out healthy and happy. You should talk with your doctor about which formula will work best for your baby.

My recommendations come from personal use. Not scientific data. I have use Enfamil with great success. They offer milk based, soy based, and organic. Similac is the second big name brand but it made my oldest child gassy. I used, and recommend Parent's Choice brand from Wal-Mart. Parent's Choice brand worked just as well as the Enfamil brand for my youngest child.

And remember Moms and Dads. Check the label of store brand items, you might be surprised to find that they are manufactured by the same company as the name brand!

For more information browse these sites:
http://www.parentschoiceformula.com/
http://similac.com
http://www.gerber.com/Products/GoodStart_Formulas.aspx
http://www.enfamil.com
http://www.target.com/Baby-Formula-Health/b?ie=UTF8&node=1272855011