April 2007
Baby formula
As the parent of a newborn, you'll have a million things to do. But planning gourmet meals for your baby won't be one of them.
Until your child is about 6 months old, breast milk or formula will take care of breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and those
middle-of-the-night wake-up calls. That's all your baby needs to grow healthy and strong. Then you can begin adding so-called
solid food to the mix--continuing to breast-feed and/or supplement with formula--until your baby's first birthday or so, when
cow's milk becomes an option.
As we mention in Breast pumps, nursing is good for babies and moms. Even the infant-formula companies will tell you, as Nestlé does on its Web site, "Breast milk is best for babies." Breast milk contains a uniquely superior mix of carbohydrates, amino acids, fatty acids, hormones, immunity-enhancing antibodies, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that work to give your baby the best possible start. It's Mother Nature's liquid gold that commercial formula can simulate, but not equal. Breast-feeding may reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and a range of infectious diseases, including bacterial meningitis and diarrhea, as well as respiratory, urinary tract, and ear infections. It may also enhance your baby's brain power and visual acuity. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), babies who are breast-fed rather than formula-fed may have less risk of asthma, obesity, diabetes, and certain forms of cancer through adulthood. It's good news for moms, too, since breast-feeding reduces a woman's risk of breast and ovarian cancer as well as bone-weakening osteoporosis.
Financially, breast milk is a bargain. The cost of formula, however, can add up. In fact, if your baby is consuming only formula, you're likely to shell out about $1,500 by her first birthday, depending on her nutritional requirements and the type of formula you choose. There's also the money you may spend on doctor bills. One study found that breast-fed infants had fewer hospital admissions.
Still, the decision about whether to go with breast milk or formula (or both) can be complicated, depending on your work situation and lots of other factors. The short answer: Try breast-feeding if you can. The AAP recommends breast-feeding exclusively for a baby's first six months. If you can't breast-feed or if you decide to wean your baby before age 1, you'll need to give him formula. Usually derived from cow's milk, formula provides a wide range of nutrients but not all the crucial components of breast milk. If your baby is exclusively formula-fed, he will probably drink 2 to 3 ounces of formula every three to four hours during the first few weeks. By six months of age, he may be up to 6 to 8 ounces every four or five hours.
SHOPPING SECRETS
Shop at mass merchandisers. Formula sold by mass merchandisers, such as Wal-Mart, Costco, and Sam's Club, costs 16 percent less than formula sold in supermarkets, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report. And formula sold in drugstores cost 19 percent more than in supermarkets, so shop there only as a last resort. Generally, milk-based formula tends to cost less than soy-based formula, so don't buy soy or another type of special formula unless your pediatrician recommends it.
Join the club. Some formula companies, such as Similac, have a membership club you can join for free by filling out an online form. After you enroll, you're eligible for exclusive offers and savings.
Buy online. Many retailers, including many mass merchandisers, don't sell formula through their Web site, so you'll have to go shopping, and then schlep the stuff home. But you can purchase formula online at www.amazon.com. The site offers Enfamil, Similac, and Nestle Good Start, and free shipping on some quantities. The site also has some organic brands, such as Baby's Only and Bright Beginnings. You can sign up for Amazon Prime, which entitles you to unlimited "free" standard and two-day shipping on eligible items, as well as other benefits, for an annual membership fee of $79. Another option is to buy formula online from the manufacturer's Web site. Enfamil (www.enfamil.com) and Similac (www.welcomeaddition.com) offer this convenient option. If you buy three or more cases at a shot from the manufacturer, you may get a reduced price and standard shipping may be included. By checking around online, we found this to be a good deal, and, unlike at Amazon, there's no membership fee.
Use powder, if possible. Powdered formulas are the least expensive option. The USDA reports that liquid concentrate formulas, though more convenient and easier to mix than powder, tend to cost more.
Buy big. Across brands, larger cans of formula, whether it's in powder or liquid form, cost less per reconstituted ounce than smaller cans. Buy the largest cans you can find.
Consider a store brand. You'll find store brands of formula at major retailers such as Kmart and Wal-Mart, and the savings can be substantial. We found that the store brand of formula at a local Wal-Mart (Parent's Choice) cost 50 percent less per ounce than a leading national brand (Enfamil). "With our second baby, we were much more relaxed parents and used the store-brand formula rather than the name-brand right away. It saved us a lot of money with the same results," says Dawn Glossa, from Oak Park, Ill., the mother of two. That's to be expected. According to the FDA, all formula marketed in the U.S. must meet the same nutrient specifications, which are set at levels to fulfill the needs of infants. Although infant-formula manufacturers may have their own proprietary formulations, brand-name and store-brand formula all must contain at least the minimum levels of all nutrients specified in FDA regulations, without exceeding maximum levels, where those are specified.
Check the "use by" date. When buying formula, look for the "use by" date on the label, which is required by the FDA. Until that date, you can be sure the formula will contain no less than the amount of each nutrient declared on the product label and will be of acceptable quality.
Be brand loyal. Although major brands of formula are roughly equal, it's generally recommended that you stick with the brand your baby gets used to. It's fine to use liquid and powder interchangeably.
WHAT'S AVAILABLE
The major brands of formula are, in alphabetical order: Enfamil (www.enfamil.com), Nestlé Good Start (www.verybestbaby.com), and Similac (www.welcomeaddition.com). Formula comes in three versions: powder, concentrated liquid, and ready-to-feed liquid. Besides standard formula, which is cow's milk-based, there are special formulas, such as lactose-free and lactose-reduced for babies who have problems digesting lactose, a natural carbohydrate found in milk. Soy and protein-hydrolyzed formulas are available for babies with a cow's milk protein allergy. Hydrolyzed formula may be prescribed for babies who are allergic to soy, and for other reasons. Soy formula is an option if you prefer that your baby have a vegetarian diet. There are also specific formulas to reduce spit-up, and for pre-term and low-birth-weight babies, older babies, and toddlers.
Your pediatrician is the best source of advice on what to feed your baby. But your baby's preferences and nutritional needs will affect the choice, too. Sometimes it simply comes down to trial and error.
Powdered formula
Pros: It's the least costly.
Cons: With both powders and concentrated liquids (see below), you must carefully measure the added water to be sure that your baby gets the right concentration of nutrients. And as we mentioned, according to the FDA, it's best not to prepare several bottles at a time, so that's a lot of mixing.
Concentrated liquid formula
Pros: It's slightly faster to prepare than powdered because you don't have to mix a solid with a liquid.
Cons: It's more expensive than powder, and you still have to boil water, if that's what your pediatrician recommends. (As we mention in preparing formula and breast milk safely, the FDA says yes to boiling.)
Liquid formula
Pros: It's convenient. The water is already mixed in, so you're good to go. It doesn't require mixing.
Cons: It's the most expensive.
RECOMMENDATIONS
If you're planning to use formula, ask your pediatrician for a recommendation, but don't buy much of it until after your baby is born. Many companies are generous with free samples, and the hospital may load you up with samples when you go home. If you register at a baby store for gifts or word gets out that you're expecting, you may receive unsolicited samples from formula companies in the mail right around your due date. That's another place to start.
Your baby may prefer one type of formula or may be able to tolerate only a particular brand, so be prepared to experiment. No matter what brand you settle on, if your baby shows signs of intolerance, such as gas, a rash, persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or any other unusual symptom, consult your pediatrician. You may need to switch brands, or change to a hydrolyzed or soy-based formula.
As we mention in Breast pumps, nursing is good for babies and moms. Even the infant-formula companies will tell you, as Nestlé does on its Web site, "Breast milk is best for babies." Breast milk contains a uniquely superior mix of carbohydrates, amino acids, fatty acids, hormones, immunity-enhancing antibodies, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that work to give your baby the best possible start. It's Mother Nature's liquid gold that commercial formula can simulate, but not equal. Breast-feeding may reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and a range of infectious diseases, including bacterial meningitis and diarrhea, as well as respiratory, urinary tract, and ear infections. It may also enhance your baby's brain power and visual acuity. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), babies who are breast-fed rather than formula-fed may have less risk of asthma, obesity, diabetes, and certain forms of cancer through adulthood. It's good news for moms, too, since breast-feeding reduces a woman's risk of breast and ovarian cancer as well as bone-weakening osteoporosis.
Financially, breast milk is a bargain. The cost of formula, however, can add up. In fact, if your baby is consuming only formula, you're likely to shell out about $1,500 by her first birthday, depending on her nutritional requirements and the type of formula you choose. There's also the money you may spend on doctor bills. One study found that breast-fed infants had fewer hospital admissions.
Still, the decision about whether to go with breast milk or formula (or both) can be complicated, depending on your work situation and lots of other factors. The short answer: Try breast-feeding if you can. The AAP recommends breast-feeding exclusively for a baby's first six months. If you can't breast-feed or if you decide to wean your baby before age 1, you'll need to give him formula. Usually derived from cow's milk, formula provides a wide range of nutrients but not all the crucial components of breast milk. If your baby is exclusively formula-fed, he will probably drink 2 to 3 ounces of formula every three to four hours during the first few weeks. By six months of age, he may be up to 6 to 8 ounces every four or five hours.
SHOPPING SECRETS
Shop at mass merchandisers. Formula sold by mass merchandisers, such as Wal-Mart, Costco, and Sam's Club, costs 16 percent less than formula sold in supermarkets, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report. And formula sold in drugstores cost 19 percent more than in supermarkets, so shop there only as a last resort. Generally, milk-based formula tends to cost less than soy-based formula, so don't buy soy or another type of special formula unless your pediatrician recommends it.
Join the club. Some formula companies, such as Similac, have a membership club you can join for free by filling out an online form. After you enroll, you're eligible for exclusive offers and savings.
Buy online. Many retailers, including many mass merchandisers, don't sell formula through their Web site, so you'll have to go shopping, and then schlep the stuff home. But you can purchase formula online at www.amazon.com. The site offers Enfamil, Similac, and Nestle Good Start, and free shipping on some quantities. The site also has some organic brands, such as Baby's Only and Bright Beginnings. You can sign up for Amazon Prime, which entitles you to unlimited "free" standard and two-day shipping on eligible items, as well as other benefits, for an annual membership fee of $79. Another option is to buy formula online from the manufacturer's Web site. Enfamil (www.enfamil.com) and Similac (www.welcomeaddition.com) offer this convenient option. If you buy three or more cases at a shot from the manufacturer, you may get a reduced price and standard shipping may be included. By checking around online, we found this to be a good deal, and, unlike at Amazon, there's no membership fee.
Use powder, if possible. Powdered formulas are the least expensive option. The USDA reports that liquid concentrate formulas, though more convenient and easier to mix than powder, tend to cost more.
Buy big. Across brands, larger cans of formula, whether it's in powder or liquid form, cost less per reconstituted ounce than smaller cans. Buy the largest cans you can find.
Consider a store brand. You'll find store brands of formula at major retailers such as Kmart and Wal-Mart, and the savings can be substantial. We found that the store brand of formula at a local Wal-Mart (Parent's Choice) cost 50 percent less per ounce than a leading national brand (Enfamil). "With our second baby, we were much more relaxed parents and used the store-brand formula rather than the name-brand right away. It saved us a lot of money with the same results," says Dawn Glossa, from Oak Park, Ill., the mother of two. That's to be expected. According to the FDA, all formula marketed in the U.S. must meet the same nutrient specifications, which are set at levels to fulfill the needs of infants. Although infant-formula manufacturers may have their own proprietary formulations, brand-name and store-brand formula all must contain at least the minimum levels of all nutrients specified in FDA regulations, without exceeding maximum levels, where those are specified.
Check the "use by" date. When buying formula, look for the "use by" date on the label, which is required by the FDA. Until that date, you can be sure the formula will contain no less than the amount of each nutrient declared on the product label and will be of acceptable quality.
Be brand loyal. Although major brands of formula are roughly equal, it's generally recommended that you stick with the brand your baby gets used to. It's fine to use liquid and powder interchangeably.
WHAT'S AVAILABLE
The major brands of formula are, in alphabetical order: Enfamil (www.enfamil.com), Nestlé Good Start (www.verybestbaby.com), and Similac (www.welcomeaddition.com). Formula comes in three versions: powder, concentrated liquid, and ready-to-feed liquid. Besides standard formula, which is cow's milk-based, there are special formulas, such as lactose-free and lactose-reduced for babies who have problems digesting lactose, a natural carbohydrate found in milk. Soy and protein-hydrolyzed formulas are available for babies with a cow's milk protein allergy. Hydrolyzed formula may be prescribed for babies who are allergic to soy, and for other reasons. Soy formula is an option if you prefer that your baby have a vegetarian diet. There are also specific formulas to reduce spit-up, and for pre-term and low-birth-weight babies, older babies, and toddlers.
Your pediatrician is the best source of advice on what to feed your baby. But your baby's preferences and nutritional needs will affect the choice, too. Sometimes it simply comes down to trial and error.
Powdered formula
Pros: It's the least costly.
Cons: With both powders and concentrated liquids (see below), you must carefully measure the added water to be sure that your baby gets the right concentration of nutrients. And as we mentioned, according to the FDA, it's best not to prepare several bottles at a time, so that's a lot of mixing.
Concentrated liquid formula
Pros: It's slightly faster to prepare than powdered because you don't have to mix a solid with a liquid.
Cons: It's more expensive than powder, and you still have to boil water, if that's what your pediatrician recommends. (As we mention in preparing formula and breast milk safely, the FDA says yes to boiling.)
Liquid formula
Pros: It's convenient. The water is already mixed in, so you're good to go. It doesn't require mixing.
Cons: It's the most expensive.
RECOMMENDATIONS
If you're planning to use formula, ask your pediatrician for a recommendation, but don't buy much of it until after your baby is born. Many companies are generous with free samples, and the hospital may load you up with samples when you go home. If you register at a baby store for gifts or word gets out that you're expecting, you may receive unsolicited samples from formula companies in the mail right around your due date. That's another place to start.
Your baby may prefer one type of formula or may be able to tolerate only a particular brand, so be prepared to experiment. No matter what brand you settle on, if your baby shows signs of intolerance, such as gas, a rash, persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or any other unusual symptom, consult your pediatrician. You may need to switch brands, or change to a hydrolyzed or soy-based formula.
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FORMULA COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS |
