Some women are unable to or simply don’t want to breastfeed and formula is the alternative to breast milk. All babies need to have either one of these until they are at least six months old. There is an astonishing range of formula on the market today, and the range of choice can often be overwhelming.
You need to educate yourself on the variety of formulas so that you can offer your baby the best for him or her. Do they need a standard formula or something more tailored to their needs? When it comes to specialty baby formula, what are your options?
Let’s take a closer look at specialty baby formula and find out what you need to know.
Standard Baby Formula
I am sure it is no surprise that generally baby formula is made from cow’s milk. Cow’s milk forms the basis of the formula, and then there are various vitamins and minerals added. Sometimes other ingredients are also added such as enzymes or rice flour. Manufacturers try to mimic human breast milk as closely as possible when they create their formula milk.
Most formulas are sold in a powder format although it is possible to buy ready-made liquid formula. This is very convenient for travelling and on the road or anywhere else where you would find it difficult to make up the powdered formula hygienically. The majority of infants have no trouble whatsoever being fed one of the many standard formulas. However, not all babies do so well on standard formula, and for these infants, there are specialty formulas available.
Why Specialty Baby Formula?
Cow’s milk is, of course, designed specifically for baby cows, which means that even though the majority of us have no trouble at all drinking it, some people and some babies cannot tolerate it.
Signs that your baby is not doing so well with cow’s milk can include constant diarrhoea or colic. Your baby might have another medical condition that makes standard formula unsuitable. If your baby has specific nutritional needs or is intolerant to cow’s milk, then it is likely that you will need to use a specialty formula.
Types Of Specialty Baby Formula
If you think that the market for standard formula is baffling, then there are even more specialty formulas to choose from. Let’s have a look at some of the varieties.
Hypoallergenic Formulas
Does your baby have itchy, dry skin or perhaps is wheezing and having trouble breathing normally? If so, then maybe a hypoallergenic formula would be a good choice because they help babies that have allergies.
They are also called protein hydrolysate formulas and can be expensive in comparison to standard formulas but might be your only choice if you have an allergy troubled baby and you cannot use breast milk.
Soy-Based Formulas
These specialty formulas contain zero lactose as they are made from soya beans, not cow’s milk. However, infants with a lactose allergy are often found also to be allergic to soya milk. This type of formula works well for babies with galactosemia. This means that the baby can’t digest the galactose, which is a sugar found in cow’s milk.
Lactose-Free Formulas
These formulas are made from cow’s milk but with the lactose removed. These specialty formulas are useful for infants who are lactose intolerant or have galactosemia.
Anti-Reflux Formula
If your baby has trouble eating and spits up milk regularly, this kind of specialty formula thickened with rice starch might help. It could put an end to painful reflux as because it is thicker, it tends to stay in the stomach for longer.
How To Choose The Right Specialty Formula
The most important thing is to talk to your doctor or paediatrician as they will point you in the right direction if your child needs a specialty formula. A little bit of spitting up milk or diarrhoea doesn’t necessarily mean that you need a different formula. Educate yourself and seek professional advice before choosing which specialty formula you need.