"Best" formula on the market is....?

lunalii · April 2015

I recently found out I won't be able to breast feed to do a pervious medical condition. I am a little disappointed but life goes on! I am having a hard time finding what the healthiest formula is on the market. I am looking for a website to provide me more information about formula so I can compare and contrast and see which ones sound the best! I know not all babies are the same but I like to be prepared for everything!

sailaplay · April 2015

There is no "best" formula on the market. They are highly regulated so all the normal formulas (ie the ones that aren't soy or other specialty mixes) are virtually identical. There is no research backing any of the claims related to DHA or other brain enhancing claims by any of the companies.
Good start and gentle ease (enfamil) both contain partially hydrolysed proteins, which means partially digested, making them theoretically easier to digest. In my practice as a Public Health nurse I have seen these help some parents with digestive issues. They are both some of the more expensive formulas.
I always recommend picking one brand that you can afford and only changing if there is an issues. The large majority of babies do just fine on "regular" formula and don't need to have the fancy brands.
Without a doubt the hospital will provide you with free formula from a formula company and most parents just go home and continue feeding that formula. They are usually the more expensive brands. If you know you need to formula feed, bring your brand with you to the hospital and start baby on that brand immediately, that way you don't have to switch and you're not forced to go with the company the hospital has a deal with.

katyeblue · April 2015

https://shar.es/10w61Q

Cornucopia.org website is the best for dairy meat and formula

sarahandandy · April 2015

As a pediatrician- there is only one health condition that is a 100% true contraindication for breastfeeding in the us. Unless you are seen by an Infectious dz. doctor for a virus that makes your immune system deficient, I encourage you to do your research about whether breastfeeding is not recommended. Sometimes medications can be changed etc to make breastfeeding possible.
I agree with the above post- no brand is better than another. Unless you are vegan I would stay away from soy. But any of the normal newborn formulas work and one is not preferred over another.

rosannewild · April 2015

sarahandandy said:
As a pediatrician- there is only one health condition that is a 100% true contraindication for breastfeeding in the us. Unless you are seen by an Infectious dz. doctor for a virus that makes your immune system deficient, I encourage you to do your research about whether breastfeeding is not recommended. Sometimes medications can be changed etc to make breastfeeding possible.
I agree with the above post- no brand is better than another. Unless you are vegan I would stay away from soy. But any of the normal newborn formulas work and one is not preferred over another.

Unfortunately I had a bilateral mastectomy and do not have the ability to BF, though I'd always planned to before this got in my way. I'm considering donor milk or milk bank, but the information about the lack of regulation and risk of a harmful substance passing to baby makes me hesitate.

sarahandandy · April 2015

I didn't think of your situation. I'm sorry if I made you reveal more than you wanted. Any term formula should be great- one is not better than another. Best wishes for you and your babe.

rosannewild · April 2015

No worries! Survivor perspective here

I'm hoping to do the very best for my little love. I worry that formula is not the right thing for her. I want her to have the best possible start and have the best nutrition I can get for her.

CanadaMom17 · April 2015

Formulas within a country are basically all the same formula by law. That being said, I don't know where you live, or what's shippable, but I can say that corn syrup is NOT an ingredient in Canadian versions of brand name formulas - it's just not allowed here. I'm uncertain if I'll be able to breastfeed (a reduction years ago), so I have been looking into formulas here as well. Discussions with an American friend (who wishes she could ship me her extra breastmilk) led to learning corn syrup is the first ingredient in most American formulas. If you could get a non-sugar/corn syrup based one, it might be worth considering.

auburnmamma · April 2015

When we switched to formula we used Sams club brand gentle. It worked well for my reflux baby and was much cheaper than enfamil.

catsNbooks · April 2015

I think it's great you're looking into a milk bank! If that doesn't work out, take a peek at Honest Co. They are definitely different than the majority. Good luck to you!