What is infant or baby formula?Most baby formula is made from cow’s milk that has been modified so that it suits your baby’s nutritional needs. It’s not the same as cow’s milk. Show Why babies need formula rather than cow’s milkAll baby formula has added vitamins, minerals and fats that babies need, which they can’t get from normal cow’s milk. Also, babies can’t digest and absorb cow’s milk as completely or easily as breastmilk or formula. That’s because the protein level in cow’s milk is too high for babies. For these reasons, you shouldn’t give cow’s milk to your baby as their main milk drink until your baby is over 12 months old. Babies under 12 months of age should not have:
For most healthy full-term babies, breastmilk or cow’s milk-based baby formulas are recommended until 12 months of age. If you’re thinking of feeding your baby something other than breastmilk or cow’s milk-based formula, talk to your paediatrician, GP or child and family health nurse first. Stage 1 and stage 2 formulasCow’s milk-based baby formulas for babies up to 6 months of age are called stage 1 or starter formulas. You can use stage 1 formulas from 0-12 months old. From 6 months, you can choose stage 2 or follow-on formula, but you don’t need to change to stage 2. These formulas aren’t better for your baby than starter or stage 1 formulas. Which baby formula is best?Every baby formula you can buy in Australia meets strict Australian Standards. All cow’s milk-based baby formulas are of similar quality and nutritional value, and all suit most babies. Some brands are more expensive, but no brands are better for your baby than others. And a hospital’s use of a particular brand of infant formula doesn’t mean that the brand is the ‘best’. You can buy baby formula in powder form or ‘ready to drink’ form. Either is fine for your baby, but ‘ready to drink’ is usually more expensive. Baby formula with special additivesSome baby formulas have extra ingredients added to them to make them more like breastmilk. But these ingredients won’t necessarily work in the same way as breastmilk in your baby’s body. Here are some breastmilk ingredients that are added to some baby formula:
Also note that these formulas might be more expensive than other formulas. Special baby formulasFor babies under 12 months of age, cow’s milk-based baby formula is recommended over formulas made from soybeans or goat’s milk, or low-lactose or lactose-free formula. But babies who can’t have cow’s milk-based formula might need special formula. You should use special baby formulas only under medical supervision. Soy-based baby formula There have been some concerns about the effects of phytoestrogens in soy formula on babies. But soy formulas are considered safe to use if your baby needs one. Soy-based formulas don’t prevent or reduce the risk of your child developing allergies. Hydrolysed baby formula
There’s no evidence that giving babies hydrolysed infant formula prevents allergy problems from developing, even if you have a family history of allergies. Prethickened formula and thickening agents Your GP might recommend thickeners or prethickened formula if you’re using formula and your baby has gastro-oesphageal reflux. You should use prethickened formula or thickeners only in consultation with your doctor. Homemade baby formula Changing baby formulaOnce you’ve settled on a baby formula for your baby, it’s better not to change formula too often. The taste will vary slightly, and it might upset your baby’s feeding routine. If you do decide to change baby formula, read the directions on the new formula label carefully. Different formulas have different-sized scoops and are made up in different ways. You can read more about how to make, store and transport formula, how to bottle-feed and how to sterilise bottle-feeding equipment. Toddler formulasYour baby doesn’t need formula after 12 months. This includes toddler or stage 3 formulas. At this age, toddlers should be getting most of their nutrition from solid food and can have cow’s milk as a drink. If toddlers are having toddler formula, it can reduce their appetite for food. This can mean they don’t get the nutrients they need. It can also contribute to fussy eating. When your baby is around 6 months old, you can start helping your child learn to drink from a cup. You can aim to stop using bottles by the time your baby turns 12 months old. How can I get formula right now?How to Find Baby Formula Right Now. Call your doctors and tap into community resources. It might be obvious, but if you're having trouble finding the formula your baby typically eats, call your doctor. ... . Press your manufacturers. ... . Check out social-media groups. ... . Turn to a milk bank. ... . I'm not a caregiver.. Is it hard to get formula?Finding the perfect baby formula for your little one can be challenging even under the best of circumstances. But the ongoing shortages caused by the Abbott formula recall and pre-existing pandemic supply chain issues have made things even more difficult than usual.
|