What Are Common Signs Of Constipation
Constipation is a common condition in babies under a year old. There are some signs to look for when identifying the problem.
Symptoms of constipation include making less frequent stools, observing your baby straining more than 10 minutes to pass a stool, hard stools, or having blood in them.
You might notice extra fussiness or appearing to be in discomfort when trying to pass a stool.
A constipated baby may even refuse to eat or have a bloated or hard belly.
Understanding Baby Formula Labels
There is a dizzyingly long list of potential ingredients in formula, and understanding the label isnt easy. Many of the ingredients that fulfill the FDA-required vitamins and minerals have complex names . And a formula might proclaim it contains DHA on the front, but to find it on the ingredients list, youd need to know that DHA comes from Crypthecodinium cohnii oil. Here, weve listed the FDA-required ingredients youll find in all US formulas.
Best Organic Baby Formula
Formulas labeled organic must meet certain standards, like being made without contaminants like prohibited synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Organic formulas are also free from artificial flavors and colors, growth hormones, preservatives, and other additives.
Price: $$Key features: Earths Bests Sensitivity blend is made with 95 percent less lactose than standard formulas. This means it may be more easily digested by babies who are sensitive to lactose . Its dairy ingredients are organic, coming from grass-fed cows, and the formula also contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, lutein, and prebiotics to support your babys immune system.Considerations: Some parents explain that they like the formula, but that it can be inconsistent from batch to batch . Others like that this formula tastes like milk, but a few note that theyre unhappy with the high corn syrup solids content. Its worth noting, though, that corn syrup solids, also sometimes called maltodextrin, is a common ingredient in most infant formulas.
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What Does It Mean
Meconium is the first type of poop your newborn baby will have , and it’s perfectly normal. This greenish-black sticky stool is the residue remaining in his intestines from before he was born. Colostrum has a cleaning function, acting as a laxative to help your baby pass the meconium in about three days.
Ingredients To Look For In Infant Formula For Sensitive Babies
HMO : also naturally found in breast milk for promoting a healthy gut and building the immune system
Probiotics: For feeding healthy the good bacteria which act as a barrier against pathogens invading the digestive system.
Partially broken proteins : for easier digestion.
Omega-3 DHA and ARA: Support brain and eye development.
The formula should be free of genetically engineered ingredients.
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The Difference Between Similac And Enfamil
What is the biggest difference between Similac and Enfamil? Well, for one, Similac does NOT use any palm olein oil in their fat blends. However, I did notice they tend to use more added sugars in their formula.
On the other hand, Enfamil contains MFGM drawing it back to its closeness to human breast milk. It also uses partially hydrolyzed nonfat milk in a lot of its blends to help reduce the risk of future allergies.
Both Similac and Enfamil Baby Formula are provided in 3 main options:
- Powdered Formula
- Ready Made Formula
- Liquid Concentrate
Instead of comparing Similac to Enfamil, its best to compare EACH formula to its comparable counterpart.
Best Infant Formula For Premie Growth: Enfamil Enfacare Baby Formula
Another formula designed specifically for prematurely born infants, Enfamil EnfaCare Baby Formula contains 40% more proteins and more vitamins and minerals than Enfamil Infant Formula in order to support growth in premies. This formula also contains the expert-recommended levels of DHA and ARA to support brain and eye development. It is more expensive compared to Similacs premature-infant formula at $1.26 per ounce. This brand of formula is not free of GMOs and it contains high fructose corn syrup. This specific version of Enfamil is not designed for preventing reflux or for sensitive tummies. A few consumers have reported instances of receiving damaged cans or inconsistent packaging.
Price: $96.50 for 6 cans of 12.8 ounces
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Main Differences Between Enfamil Vs Similac
The main differences between Enfamil and Similac are:
- Similac typically uses more sugar in their formula, whereas Enfamil minimizes sugar in the table of contents
- Enfamil is generally more expensive than Similac
- Enfamil currently has 15 formula products, whereas Similac has 20
- Enfamil tends to have more natural and fewer ingredients compared to Similac
The question of which formula is better is more than just which brand is the best. You have to account for the different types of formula each brand makes, including formula for sensitive tummies, formula made from soy, and much more.
For Babies With Allergies: Enfamil Nutramigen Vs Similac Alimentum
Enfamil Nutramigen
Rating: 4.7 out 5 stars Price: $165.96 for 19.8 Oz can
Similac Alimentum
Rating: 4.8 out 5 stars Price: $145.92 for 19.8 Oz
If your baby is allergic to cows milk, you might consider Enfamil Nutramigen or Similac Alimentum. Both designs are for babies who present colicky symptoms when exposed to cows milk. Your baby might have a mild aversion to the milk content, while some are incapable of digesting cows milk protein.
| Similac uses corn maltodextrin plus another sugar, while Enfamil uses corn syrup. |
| Enfamil uses modified corn starch for a thicker formula. |
| Similac has more linoleic acid |
| Similac contains lutein . |
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Baby Formula For Spit Up
Spit up is simply part of new parenthood. Tiny developing digestive systems are to blame, but with proper weight gain and adequate wet diapers , pediatricians often find no cause for concern.
If spit up is affecting the babys quality of life and/or disrupting sleep, we may consider switching formulas, says Dr. Hes. Many babies are happy spitters and they do not need a formula changeif a baby is not growing or gaining weight well, we may change to a formula that protects against spit up.
Heres a look at two popular spit up-specific options offered to new parents.
| Product |
|---|
- Polydextrose
What Is Really In Baby Formula
It depends upon the particular formulation, of which there are many. Cowâs milk is the most commonly used protein source, and is recommended by the AAP. Soy is commonly for babies who are temporarily lactose intolerant or are born with galactocemia. Some European infant formulas are made with goat milk.
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Enfamil Vs Similac : Is Similac Or Enfamil Best
Formula is a common substitute for breastfeeding among mothers who either cant or dont want to breastfeed. Its also an option for children who are lactose intolerant , have trouble gaining weight, or who are adopted and dont have access to a mother who can breastfeed them.
Formula feeding is a practice that is sometimes frowned upon by parents who believe that breastfeeding is the healthiest option for babies, but the reality is, not every mother has the ability to breastfeed and not every baby has access to a breastfeeding mother.
Bottom Line Up Front: I personally prefer the cleaner ingredient profile offered by Enfamil here. Remember, if you are ordering online you can get some great bulk discounts directly from their site here.
Contents
Why Trust Verywell Family
Infant formulas are stressful to navigate. Lauren Cohen MS, RD, LDN spends nearly every day of her professional career working with parents and caregivers to help educate on formula and simplify what this industry has made quite confusing. Its not just parents who are confuseda big part of her job is working with pediatricians to continue to educate them on the ever-changing products.
To write this article, Lauren consulted with trusted peers in the pediatric healthcare system and referenced multiple studies and papers. She looked to the AAP for infant feeding and formula recommendations and the FDA for infant formula regulations. She used her experience in clinical practice to inform her category-specific choices and furthered her education on formula ingredients by diving deeper into published clinical research.
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Best Store Brand Baby Formulas
We just went over our top organic formulas, but organic usually comes with extra dollar signs. Though organic can have its benefits, it does not always mean it’s better. If organic is not in your budget, don’t worry. You can give your baby a very healthy formula with the right mix of nutritional components for growth and still stick to a budget.
Formula, in general, can get expensive. After all, your baby eats a lot! Our best tips for saving money on formula include obtaining free samples when you can , clipping coupons, purchasing store-bought brands, or buying in bulk .
You can often get a store brand infant formula that will have the exact same ingredients as one of the other “trusted” brands. Check your labels and you might find you can save several dollars per container just by choosing the store-brand instead.
Here are our top two store-brand formulas:
What’s to Love: It’s no secret that Costco can save people big money over time. Infant formula included. When you combine Kirkland’s store-brand with buying it in bulk, you can put the money you save towards your baby’s other needs. Additionally, you’re getting a formula that gives your baby the nutrition they require to grow healthy and strong. Ingredients you’ll be proud to give your baby include:
- 2′-FL HMO for immune support
- DHA to support brain developement
- Lutein to support eye development
Gentle Formulas: Enfamil Gentlease Vs Similac Pro
Enfamil Gentlease costs $29.99
Similac Sensitive costs $29.99
- Both have a gentle formula that may help reduce fussiness in babies.
- Both products have similar levels of vitamins, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and water.
- Both use corn syrup solids .
- Enfamil uses partially hydrolyzed nonfat milk as well as whey protein concentrate solids from soy to assist in digestion, while Similac uses easy-to-digest milk protein isolate that might trigger allergies or indigestion in some babies.
- Similac contains more linoleic acid .
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Similac Neosure Infant Formula With Iron
Similac NeoSure Infant Formula with Iron is designed especially for infants who are premature, born underweight, or have a medical condition that requires extra calories in the diet.
What sets it apart from all of the other formulas on the market? Medium chain triglyceride, or MCT, oil. The addition of this fatty acid increases the calories per ounce to 24 instead of 20. Clinical studies have proven that this fatty acid can significantly improve the weight gain in premature babies .
This is a game-changer, my friends! Itâs why the neonatologist or pediatrician may recommend this best baby formula for your baby that was born just a bit too early.
Although there are some situations where an infant may need this higher calorie formula throughout the first year of life, most infants will be able to transition to a normal calorie one after gaining a sufficient amount of weight.
Letâs take a look at the ingredients:
The Good
First of all, this formula touts DHA, lutein, and vitamin E, all wonderful ingredients. You definitely want these along with the MCT for your preemie.
It is non-GMO, an added bonus as we donât want the tiniest bellies to deal with GMOs.
The first ingredient is milk, as expected. This is followed by corn syrup for energy and taste, then lactose, fats, and vitamins. There is no maltodextrin, however.
The additional proteins, linoleic acid, and other fats promote cognitive development.
The Bad
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What About Toddler Formula
Enfamil, Gerber, Similac, Perrigo Nutrition, Kabrita, Babys Only, and a few other companies also produce toddler formula, or toddler milk, which is marketed for babies older than a year. Toddler formula is not regulated by the FDA in the same way infant formula is, and it is not meant for babies younger than 1 year old. When choosing formula for an infant under 1 year old, always be sure that the formula label specifies infant formula.
For babies over a year old, toddler formula is unnecessary. There is no evidence that toddler formula is better than whole cows milk for growth and development for babies older than a year. In fact, the AAP says toddler formulas are not only unnecessary but could be harmful to young children, because they contain extra sugars compared with whole cows milk. Toddler formulas are significantly more expensive than cows milk. If you have questions about nutrition for older babies, talk to your pediatrician.
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Why Use Formula And For How Long
The necessity of formula varies from family to family. A mom might be struggling to produce enough breast milk and need to supplement, another family perhaps simply did not want to breastfeed or were unable to. Formula was created to be a source of nutrients given to a baby in their first year of life, whether only partial or completely.
Technically, formula can be given to your child until age two, but it ultimately depends on the family and what works for them. Foods are introduced anywhere from 4-6 months, and formula is still incorporated during this transition. It is typical for a baby that is exclusively formula fed to switch to whole cowâs milk once they are one year old and forego formula completely. And in our experience, this is what most doctors will stand by as well. Some families prefer to slowly wean their baby off of formula and incorporate both formula and whole cowâs milk into their babyâs diet. It is best to consult your pediatrician in order to determine what will work best for your family and childâs overall health.