Formula Recommendations for Babies 6-12 Months
Baby food is necessary for every child from birth. If a mom does not have enough breast milk or cannot breastfeed her baby, milk formula is the only practical option. Formulas have a balanced and carefully selected composition, including many vitamins and minerals that are well absorbed by the baby’s body.
A pediatrician prescribes a breast milk substitute such as milk formula, taking into account the baby’s health status and individual characteristics. But the parents should understand why the doctor recommends a particular product. So it is helpful to know all about the formula for the baby.
What are the differences between the formulas for babies of different ages?
Production of infant formula is based on the nutritional properties of breast milk, the composition of which varies throughout the lactation period and depends mainly on the baby’s energy requirements, the mother’s health, her psycho-emotional state, the fullness of the diet, and many other factors. Modern baby formula is also developed based on the physiological needs of the baby. Baby food manufacturers try as much as possible to adapt the formula to the needs of babies from 0 to 6 months, from 6 to 12 months, and they also create Pre formulas for premature babies and follow-up formulas for babies after one year of age.
The age classification of formulas corresponds to the physiological needs of the baby at different stages of development. It is the same for all manufacturers. Within each formula, variations are possible according to the solution of a particular problem, such as hypoallergenic, lactose-free, antireflux, and other formulas available.
It is quite important to feed your baby the right formula for his or her age. And, otherwise, the formula can provoke the development of serious illness in an infant. For example, the composition of the first formula (suitable for babies from birth to six months) considers the physiological immaturity of a newborn’s GI tract. The formula for babies over six months would not be suitable for the newborn in terms of calories or qualitative composition because of the high load on the tract and kidneys.
Feeding a baby over six months of age with the first formula is also undesirable: the composition of the second formula is more suitable for this age. For example, the amount of protein is increased for the balanced growth of the baby.
Organic’s Best offers only the best infant formulas suitable for feeding newborns and toddlers as well.
What are the main factors parents should rely on choosing infant formula?
Doctor’s recommendations
This is the most critical selection criteria. The pediatrician will study the peculiarities of the baby’s body (baby can be prone to constipation or colic), childbirth history, and family history(allergic illnesses in the family). Based on this information, you will find the best possible option to feed your baby.
Composition
Infant formula contains protein, fat, and carbohydrate components and is also enriched with substances necessary for healthy development. Always pay attention to the following formula ingredients:
Probiotics and prebiotics – help to prevent digestive disorders, allergic reactions, and immune problems.
Breast milk oligosaccharides protect the baby’s body from infections (not allowing harmful microbes to attach to the GI tract), support the immune system, and also work as a prebiotic. This component is not found in all formulas, but its importance is obvious.
Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids ensure normal metabolism and are involved in many biochemical processes.
Taurine is an amino acid that is important for the proper development of the brain and retina. It is not produced in the body during the first months of life, so it must come from food.
Parents should pay special attention to some ingredients, as they may not be suitable for all babies. This is primarily palm oil. The peculiarity of this component is that it forms insoluble compounds with calcium and therefore interferes with its absorption and can also cause constipation in the baby.
Reviews
This factor should not be decisive: what is successfully used in feeding other babies is not necessarily suitable for your baby. But if a particular product receives only negative ratings, it should be alert.
The main requirement for a milk formula is to include completely safe and organic ingredients for a baby’s further healthy growth.
The best baby organic formula has to be as close as possible to breast milk and meets all the baby’s individual needs.
