The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that breastfeeding is the best option for infants, but formula is slowly catching up. Whole milk should not be used before a child turns one.
Why is Infant Formula Better Than Whole Milk?
Until babies are around one year old when their diet turns to mostly table food, they get all their nutrition through a bottle, even after starting baby foods. Whole milk does not provide the well balanced nutrition an infant needs for proper development.
Formula is an easily digestible source, that not only provides the perfect balance of vitamins and minerals that a baby needs, but also sugars, fats, and proteins. Whole milk, because of its high protein content is hard to digest, and can actually put stress on a baby's kidneys.
New Advances in Baby Formula
One of the options parents have when purchasing formula is to buy a DHA enriched formula. DHA is short for docosahexaenoic acid, which is an amino acid found in breast milk. In the article "Supplementing Babies' Formula With DHA Boosts Cognitive Development" dated September 16, 2009, Medical News Today tells of a study which showed that infants given DHA enriched formula, as opposed to formula without DHA were more successful at problem-solving cognitive tests at 9 months old.
Another area where formula has fallen short of breast milk is in the area of immune system strength. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics in the article "Probiotics in Formulas," a breastfed baby has in the past had a stronger immune system because of "good" bacteria that the mother passes along. Some formulas are now offering the option of being enriched with probiotics, which are these healthy bacteria that help fight off infection.
Saving Money On Formula
Between diapers and formula, babies can be expensive. Parents can contact formula manufacturers through a toll-free phone number or website to ask for coupons. Formula companies often send out valuable coupons to those who ask to be put on their mailing list.
Switch to Whole Milk After One Year Old
After a child turns one, parents can feed their child whole milk if the toddler has a well-balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, and proteins from other table-food sources. Whole milk is preferable to reduced-fat milk choices because children this age still need the fat the whole milk provides for proper development. Only in special circumstances, such as a weight problem, should a one-year-old be given reduced fat milk, and that should be at the advice of a pediatrician.
An infant's body and brain develops at a remarkable rate the first year of life. When filling a baby's bottle before they turn one, always choose a formula made just for babies over whole milk.
Sources:
Medical News Today. Supplementing Babies' Formula With DHA Boosts Cognitive Development, September 16, 2009.
Healthy Children Website. Probiotics in Formulas (accessed March 19, 2010).
Healthy Children Website. "Why Formula Instead of Cow's Milk?" (accessed March 19, 2010).
Laura Wilson - Relatively new to the writing community, Laura Wilson is spending time writing about children, parenting, health, and education. She ...
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