How to Choose an Organic Baby Formula

With all of the scare about melamine from China found in our precious supply of baby formula, this is more than a case of buyer beware. The health of innocent infants is at stake. For what it's worth, I say, take it as a moment of enlightenment. Your baby deserves only the best, so if you choose to use formula, why not make it the absolute best choice?

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 

   We all know that breast is best. But sometimes, when that option is not possible or undesired, formula is necessary to supplement nutrition during the first year of life. This is the time where the ever enlarging infant brain requires the most essential fatty acids and proteins. All the more reason you want to choose the best formula. First things first, GO ORGANIC! Organic formula is free of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, bovine growth hormones, antibiotics and other experimental cocktails of junk that are abundant in today's food supply. A developing baby's brain is no match for these neuro-toxins and should be avoided if possible.

2. There are many organic formulas to choose from, including: dairy, lactose-free dairy, in addition to options with probiotics (which build a hearty digestive tract and health immune system) and DHA/ARA (fatty acids essential for brain development) to choose from. After a possible trial and error period and sound advice from your pediatrician, you will know what type of formula is appropriate for your baby.

3. Research the company that you are buying from. I was horrified to discover the organic formula I choose was making my son sick! It was made from DHA sources derived from algae that had been bleached, deodorized, and winterized. I thought I was protected because it was organic, so I am alerting all parents: Call the manufacturers of your formula company and ask them how they process their DHA! They are required by FDA regulations to disclose this information to you.

4. Check the type of sugar that is found in your babies formula. It can range from corn syrup solids, (which is essentially processed corn syrup) to high fructose corn syrup. You want to avoid these two artificial sweeteners like the plague. Although they are made from corn, these sugars are so highly refined and genetically altered in such a way that your body sees them as toxic. Look for natural sweeteners like brown rice syrup and agave nectar. Avoid cane juice, evaporated cane juice, etc- even if organic. These are just common names for table sugar or sucrose.

Tips & Warnings

• Try Nature's One Formula or Earths Best

Resources

• Information of Infant/Baby Nutrition
• Scary Formula with Toxic DHA

[harvard]

on 5/27/2009 Great advice exploding with important health info for newborns. A proper start can lead to a fruitful life. Thank you. I recommend this article to all new moms.