How to Buy Baby Milk

There are many brands and types of baby milk, commonly called formula, on the shelves. Many formulas these days are modified to provide nutrients found in breast milk, and there are many different varieties, including those for babies with food allergies or sensitive stomachs. Choosing the best baby milk depends on what works best for your baby. If your baby loses weight, gets fussy or seems ill on a certain type of formula, you may need to try another type, and it sometimes can be a process of trial and error. It is important to do your research about the different types of baby milk, the companies that make it and the nutritional information of each product.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Choose a nutrient-rich baby formula for your baby's first year. The three main kinds are cow's-milk-based, soy-based and hypoallergenic. Baby milk is formulated to be as close to breast milk as possible and gentle enough for your baby's stomach, but not all babies tolerate all types of formula.

2. If your baby is not tolerating a milk-based formula, try a soy-based or hypoallergenic formula and see if this works better. There are also milder formulas designed for sensitive stomachs. Parents who want to raise their children with no animal proteins in their diets should purchase soy-based formula. These alternative to milk-based formulas are more expensive, but it is wise to switch if that's what's best for your baby.

3. Decide if you want to use powdered, concentrated liquid or ready-to-feed liquid formula. Powdered formula is the least expensive and must be mixed with water to create the baby's milk. The concentrated liquid formula also has to be mixed with water and is a little more expensive than powdered. The formula that is already bottled and ready to use is convenient, as you don't have to mix it with anything else, although it is also costs the most. The kind of formula you choose also depends on what your baby prefers; ready-to-feed tends to have a thicker consistency than those to which you add water.

4. Research the different formula brands, compare nutritional information and read reviews written by parents.

5. Try a new formula if your baby is not doing well on what you're currently feeding him. Signs that your baby isn't responding well to a certain type of baby's milk include fussiness, not wanting to drink and not sleeping well (the baby, not you). If you see these signs, wait three to four days to see if symptoms change. If not, switch to a different type of milk. If your baby doesn't seem to be improving after two or three different formulas, talk to your doctor to determine the problem.

Tips & Warnings

• Some brands of baby milk are more expensive than others, but this doesn't necessarily mean that they are better quality. You can choose an organic formula if you are concerned about preservatives.
• Always check the the expiration date on baby's milk. If it is past the date, this can crucially affect the nutrient factor and safety for your baby.

References

• Mayo Clinic
• Baby Formula Milk