It can be confusing for most new parents to figure out the right baby formula for their baby. As a result, you may start thinking about if you are choosing the best baby formula, how the baby formula may affect the tiny tummy of your little one, which ingredients you need to look out for, and many more. There is also a chance that you have already decided about the baby formula you desire to use for your infant.
You should remember that all organic baby formulas are highly regulated to make sure that your baby is safe. But to be certified as organic baby formula, they have to meet higher standards when it comes to how the ingredients are used. This post discusses organic baby formula and everything you need to know.
Choosing an organic baby formula
You may be wondering what organic baby formula is all about. To be called organic baby formula, the product needs to meet certain criteria. In Europe, the organic baby formula needs to have about 95 percent ingredients that are grown in pesticide-free soil as well as the product should be free from artificial preservatives, such as flavors and colors.
Further, the organic baby formula should also utilize non-GMO ingredients. The formula must also not utilize milk coming from cows that were treated with growth hormones. In some cases, you may find a baby formula that indicates that it’s produced with organic ingredients, meaning that at least 70 percent of the ingredients are organic, but the rest of the ingredients can be non-organic. Therefore, this means that some of its ingredients may have been made using pesticides.
That said, conventional or non-organic formulas can still have the required nutritional benefits. This is true if the baby formula manufacturer follows the recommended guidelines of the authorities. But no baby formula regardless of whether it’s conventional or organic should have added artificial or natural colors or flavorings. Many people prefer using organic baby formulas for their babies because of their various benefits.
While organic baby formulas are usually expensive compared to conventional formulas, you and your baby can benefit a lot by choosing them. Some of the benefits include reduced potential herbicide and pesticide exposure, especially when your child is still small and their brain is going through rapid development. Some studies indicate that even low amounts of this pesticide exposure in babies can affect their behavioral and neurological development.
Since baby formulas tend to make up a huge portion of your baby’s diet, it’s worth it choosing a formula that has some organic ingredients to reduce this exposure. But experts are still unsure whether this pesticide exposure from conventional infant formulas is significant enough to have an impact on the neurodevelopment of your little one.
You can also find some organic baby formulas that contain a higher level of ingredients. Therefore, it’s important to find these organic baby formulas produced with the right ingredients similar to the components of breast milk. For instance, some organic baby formulas have lactose rather than maltodextrin or corn syrup. You should note that maltodextrin is also a type of sugar produced from corn.
On the other hand, some organic baby formulas can have a different protein makeup compared to conventional baby formulas like higher ratios of whey than casein protein that closely matches the ratio you can find in breast milk. In such cases, this can be suitable for your infant if they are experiencing colic or gassiness after feeding on conventional formula. You can get European baby formulas; more information, here.
What you should look out for in the best organic baby formula
Most organic baby formulas out there have a cow’s milk base, though you can find others that are produced from soy or goat’s milk. They can have added nutrients, such as prebiotics which are like human milk oligosaccharides, DHA which is an omega-3 fatty acid, lutein, iron, and ARA which is an omega-6 fatty acid.
Hence, when shopping for baby formula for your little one, make sure to check the nutrition label. You should also focus on knowing the main types of sugar and fats utilized in the baby formula. These ingredients are usually listed on the baby formula’s nutritional label, so it means they are the ones that have a larger share than the other ingredients.
Keep in mind that lactose is a type of sugar that is more preferred than corn syrup solids. This is because lactose has a close makeup to breast milk. And, safflower oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil, and coconut oil are more preferred than palm oil which can be difficult for some babies to digest.
It’s also a good idea to avoid some baby formulas that have organic brown rice syrup as the main source of sugar. People avoid it as it has the risk of being contaminated with arsenic. If you need to avoid palm oil, you should note that many organic baby formulas still have it as one of the primary fat sources.
It’s worth mentioning that some of the favorite baby formulas on the market are not certified as organic. They may have some organic ingredients or even be created with a great ingredient profile, but they may not be suitable for your little one.
This is the reason why you have to research before purchasing any baby formula. If you are not sure about a specific baby formula, then you should consult your baby’s pediatrician to help you determine the best product and brand for your child. In most cases, some pediatricians can have a few samples, so you can try them before purchasing larger quantities of baby formulas.
Regardless of whether or not you intend to breastfeed your baby, it’s crucial to choose a baby formula and buy one as a backup before the arrival of your baby. In this way, if breastfeeding doesn’t work in those early days, then you can use a baby formula as an alternative. This can reduce your stress while making sure that your infant is well-fed and happy.
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