Everyone knows that breastfeeding the healthiest way to feed a baby. However, there are many factors why a mother chooses not to nurse her baby, whether it’s that she doesn’t produce enough milk to satisfy her baby’s hunger needs, she doesn’t feel comfortable in public, or her place of employment doesn’t provide the sufficient environment for breast feeding. All of these reasons are perfectly acceptable as to why formula is an adequate substitute for breast milk.
The Infant Formula Act
In 1980, Jimmy Carter signed the Infant Formula Act of 1980 with the belief that every child “should be afforded safe and nutritionally adequate formulas during a critical period of development”. Infant formulas are now regulated by the FDA, and the commercial “name brand” companies that make them must follow the guidelines for at least the minimum amount, but no more than the maximum amount of nutrients that infants need.
Enfamil
In 2011, Enfamil came out with their “Staged Nutrition” formulas. Enfamil Newborn is the most recent addition to their product line, formulated for babies 3 months old and younger. Enfamil also carries formula for babies above three months into the toddler ages, as well as A.R., which stands for added rice and is thicker and digests slower, Gentlease, which is said to reduce fussiness and gas within 24 hours, and ProSobee, that’s for fussiness and gas in a soy-based formula. Enfamil offers DHA, an oxidized form of ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C. Along with a dual prebiotic formula to help baby’s digestive system and Triple Health Guard, Enfamil claims it is clinically proven to promote growth, improve brain and eye development, and support the immune system according to their own studies.
Similac offers over nine different formulas from milk based to soy based, as well as fussiness and gas, colic and special needs infants. Similac Advance is the only formula with lutein, a nutrient found in breast milk. Like Enfamil, Similac offers DHA to support brain and eye development and prebiotics for a healthy digestive system. Similac calls this combination of nutrients “EarlyShield”. Similac is also the number one brand used in hospitals, although whether or not this is a choice by the hospitals or Similac uses a better market offering than other brands is not specified on their website.
“Generic” or Store Brand Formulas
As previously discussed, all formulas sold in the United States must meet nutritional requirements set forth by the FDA. Store brand formula, such as Parent’s Choice, and Target brands don’t market the ingredients in their formulas. In fact, the DHA ingredients that Similac and Enfamil brag about as noted in a Martek investment promotion from 1996 may just be used as a marketing tool, “Even if [the DHA/ARA blend] has no benefit, we think it would be widely incorporated into formulas, as a marketing tool and to allow companies to promote their formula as ‘closest to human milk.’”
Choosing Your Baby’s Formula
Maybe the brand isn’t what is important to look at. Some parents could never see themselves buying generic formula while others save the 13 dollars they don’t use on commercial brand formula on savings and college funds. The important factors in choosing a formula should be what your baby needs most. There are different kinds of formulas that are offered in most brands:
- Cow's milk-based formula - the type of formula that the average baby with no significant health or digestive trouble should be on.
- Soy based formula – for baby’s with fussiness or gas that occurs from milk-based formula. This can be used for semi-lactose intolerant infants.
- Added Rice or starch – This formula is thicker for slower digestion and to help baby’s with acid reflux.
- Amino Acid based – for babies who are both allergic to soy and milk. An example of this formula is Nutramigen.
- Formula for premature babies – These formulas have extra nutrients and calories for low-weight and premature babies.
- Formula for toddlers – These formulas are for babies 9 to 24 months that still need the extra nutrients.
Emily Sutherlin - Emily has been writing on a variety of topics since 2007. She uses only the most credible sources to bring information to her readers.
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