Is there a certain formula that works best for baby? My fiance had a relationship with another women and has a child. Unfortunently, the women died. The child is now 3 months old and of course has to be bottle fed. Even though it's not my child I still want his baby to be smart and healthy.
I heard alot of bad things come from not breast feeding a kid, but thats..sorta not an option really. So my question is, is there a formula that works as well as breast milk, or what's the BEST formula to use for baby?
2006-06-21 22:50:18 · 13 answers · asked by Distant 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
According to the World Health Organization, breastfeeding is the best choice. Cup feeding a baby the mother's pumped milk is second. Cup feeding milk from other mothers (usually from a milk bank) is third. Formula feeding is fourth (and the *only* other option), and they also recommend cup feeding (and not bottles).
There *is* no formula that is "closest to mother's milk". There are hundreds of components of human milk, and one brand of formula may try to imitate the fats in human milk (and fail), while another one will try (and fail) to copy the proteins, and yet a third will try (and fail) to create a product whose sugars are most similar to those in human milk. No formula could possibly even try to imitate all three of these, let alone all the other "ingredients" in human milk. In fact, even *claiming* to be "closest to mother's milk" is in contravention of international agreements (which the US is a signatory to) because it's just plain not true. You should also know that formula is recalled on average once a year in the US for various manufacturing problems (some of them potentially life-threatening). *All* major manufacturers have had recalls.
There is no formula--and can *never* be one--that has the live cells from the mother. There *can* be no formula that closely imitates the vitamin and mineral balance in human milk. (They tried it once--it caused anemia in babies because human milk is low in iron, but the iron is well-absorbed. In formula it is poorly absorbed.)
If you want to provide banked milk for your baby, see the sources section below. It is very expensive, but it provides your baby with the best if you can't nurse or pump yourself. You will need a prescription from your pediatrician in order to get it. The price will probably *not* be covered by insurance, although you can ask.
If you do not breastfeed (or provide human milk for your baby), she/he will be missing certain things, and there is no way to make up for it. And the only way to know which formula will be best for *your* baby is to try different ones and see.
2006-06-21 23:26:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The best formulas are ones made by reputable companies that have been making formulas for a long time. you do get what you pay for and many brands offer a GOLD brand these often have omega 3 fish oils in them linked to higher IQ's (about 7 points higher) I am from australia and our best brands are S26 (GOLD) and Karricare which make a form from 100% hydrolysed whey, as the curd in cows milk can be hard for babies to digest.. Steer clear of Nestle. and plain cows milk is for little cows and not babies! Also rememeber that they come in stages as the iron and viatmin requirements change as ur baby grows, there are ones from birth then at 6 months go onto the follow on. dont switch brands stick to one.
One other option you may or may not be comfortable with is speaking to your doctor about taking some medication to help produce milk yourself. sometimes medication isnt even nessecary especially if youve had kids before yourself. Putting the baby to the breast is often all that is need to stimulate the milk glands into production, this can take a little time tho. then you could offer the best milk around! Hope this helps
2006-06-21 23:05:19 · answer #2 · answered by Bella Know All 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I agree with the person above, no formula comes closer to breast milk than another does but you do have a situation where you may need to formula feed.
I would recommend that you try to contact La Leche League to see if another mother is donating milk to babys in need, that way breast milk may still be an option :)
good luck
and dont worry as long as your baby is loved the baby will be fine :)
2006-06-22 02:24:46 · answer #3 · answered by tpuahlekcip 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best one is what works. Formula is like buying bread, there are alot of kinds but they all can do the trick. First, just put the baby on a formula and see how it goes. If baby seems to have problems pooping, bad gas, or spilts up a ton after a feeding, then you need to switch formulas. There are alot of formula companies and they each have a basic formula. Then there are ones for ages, lactose intolerance, and so forth. when my milk dried up with my first child at 4 months, I put her on a lactose free formula to reduce the possibilities of lactose intolearance. Don't buy the cheapest cause its cheap, or the most expensive cause it costs alot. Find a reputible maker (like Enfamil or Similac) and buy that type. I know its alot to deal with at once, but I can promise you that if the baby was from your womb, you'ld still have just as many questions. If you are near a bookstore this week, pick up "What to Expect The First Year". It will help you alot with age milestones and what happens when. Good luck!
2006-06-21 23:11:00 · answer #4 · answered by Velken 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Enfamil has a great reputation as an infant forumla.
I am sure you will be a wonderful step-mother. It is true that nothing is as good as breast milk, but formula is not poison and it will help your child grow up to be healthy and smart.
You can help the child adjust by giving him lots of love, talking to him constantly and exposing him to music and story books. The more the baby is held and cuddled, the more he will safe and secure in the world.
Good luck becoming an adoptive mother.
2006-06-28 21:39:22 · answer #5 · answered by baggyk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely not cows milk!! Only after the baby is a year old. Humanized milk is best.
Don't try different kinds of milk, because the baby might be allergic to some of the milk products and you won't know if you change too quickly/often. Start with a humanized milk and if the baby shows signs of allergies (skin irritations etc.), only then change to another.
2006-06-21 23:44:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call the babies pediatrician and ask what they recommend. DO NOT give that baby cow's milk yet, the baby is to young. Cow's milk can cause a rash or allergic reaction. Please stick to giving the baby formula, I wouldn't recommend breast milk from another woman, you don't know what those women put in there bodies.
2006-06-22 02:31:20 · answer #7 · answered by Danielle G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No cow's milk! too much protein. Choose a formula that has DHA Aand ARA such as Enfamil Lipil. It's what my daughter's pediatrician recommends. Good luck with the bundle of joy!
2006-06-22 01:06:58 · answer #8 · answered by 10 pts for me? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I could no longer b/feed my three I would switch them to S26 or now they have S26 gold..I read a Choice magazine study back in the late 80's that suggested it was as close to b/milk as you could get, just without the immunity that b/milk provides. Talk with your health centre sister/baby centre nurse..
2006-06-21 23:12:53 · answer #9 · answered by anything_my_child 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
enfamil with lipil it is wonderful
all my kids have been on it and there smart and healthy
my 5 year old is at a 7 year olds level and my 3 year old is on at 4 year old level and my 17 month old is on a 3 year olds level except on her speach and she is on a 24 month old level on that
my 8 year old wasnt on the lipil but he is right where he should be
2006-06-22 03:25:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋