Breast milk may be nature's perfect baby food, but some women cannot nurse, and other women choose not to. That's why scientists and medical experts have spent years developing high-quality, nutritional infant formulas.



What's the difference between milk- and soy-based formulas?

Milk-based formula

Cows' milk is the standard base for infant formula. Manufacturers modify cows' milk for human babies by adjusting carbohydrate, protein, and fat levels and adding vitamins and minerals (most milk- and soy-based formulas provide 20 calories per ounce). The quality of traditional infant formula has improved tremendously in the last decade. However, researchers have yet to reproduce the unique qualities that make breast milk the ideal food for babies.

Soy-based formula

Soy protein is plant-based from soybeans and, like cow's milk, is modified for use in formula with vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. While some experts and parents swear by soy, others say it may lack some compounds such as amino acids that help a baby thrive. Infants who are allergic to lactose, a sugar found in cows' milk, for more detail www.babies-tips.com may be less sensitive to soy-based formula. However, up to half of all allergy-prone babies also react negatively to soy and may fare better with a special hypoallergenic formula (see below).

Experts have no evidence that soy-based formulas can help soothe a colicky baby.

Which is better - formula with or without iron?

Both cow's milk and soy formulas are available in low iron (less than 6.7 mg/L; usually between1.5 mg/L and 4.5 mg/L) and iron fortified (from 4 to 12 mg/L) varieties. Babies who are not breastfed or who are partially breastfed should be given an iron fortified formula from birth to 12 months. Breastfed babies absorb more than 50 percent of iron from human milk, about 12 percent from cow's milk formula, and up to 7 percent of soy formula. Experts agree that the fortified formulas sufficiently boost iron levels in babies and young children.

What are hypoallergenic and follow-up formulas?

You may notice specialty formulas labeled hypoallergenic or follow-up on the shelves of your local supermarket or pharmacy. These formulas are designed for babies with specific medical or nutritional needs, so ask your healthcare provider before using one. Here's the lowdown:

Hypoallergenic formulas

These formulas are designed to trigger fewer allergies and be easier to digest than standard varieties. Experts know less about them than traditional blends, and since they are relative newcomers to the market, their long-term effects on babies are still being evaluated. One thing's certain: Hydrolyzing, the process used to make the formula more digestible, also leaves it tasting bitter, even after sweeteners have been added. Specialty formula also tends to be saltier than soy- and milk-based products - and four to five times more expensive.

Follow-up formulas

These formulas are specifically designed for babies 4 to 12 months old who are already eating some solids. Follow-up formulas contain more calcium, iron, protein, and calories than infant formulas. They're often a bit cheaper too. Most doctors encourage parents to introduce solid foods (baby cereal, pureed fruits and vegetables) to their babies at around 6 months rather than have them fill up on formula. But it depends on the individual child. Babies with food allergies, those who are very sensitive to different foods, and those with a history of poor growth may benefit from follow-up formula.