There are so many different baby product options for new parents, it can be overwhelming. Not only do you have to take care of a newborn, but you have to make decisions on products that you don’t know very much about. Added to the extra stress, what if you are struggling to produce milk and now have to choose a baby formula?
Even though it might not be your first choice, you baby has to be fed. I would love to help your decision-making progress a little more simple. If you are trying to choose the perfect formula, here are three things to consider and my top choice.
Organic vs Non Organic
If you’re like me, you want only the best for your children. Given the option between organic and non-organic in your own food choices, most people will choose organic such as Holle Stage 1 Organic. So why not for your precious little babies as well?
With the excessive number of pesticides, toxins, synthetic ingredients (the list could go on for a while) that are in our food products today, eliminating this from your baby’s formula should be a priority. This means a higher price tag, but in the first years of your baby’s life, spending a little extra on organic is worth it for healthy development.
#2 Ingredients
I already mentioned choosing organic ingredients to begin with, but just because something is organic doesn’t mean it is good. For example, organic sugar (sucrose) is still bad for a developing baby. Another ingredient to avoid is soy, organic or not, as many studies have shown how it can lead to reproductive issues later in your baby’s life.
There are other ingredients that are slipped into baby formulas to avoid like carrageenan, synthetic ingredients, GMOs, and glucose syrups. As parents, we have to be extra cautious consumers for our children.
Don’t assume that the top sellers and most popular brands have your baby’s best interests at heart. Do the research and understand the ingredient lists on the baby formula, and also on all the future baby food products you will feed your developing children.
#3 European vs. American
You may have already heard all about the European formula options that are slowly coming into the American market. We have shelves of formula options already, so why are parents going through the extra hassle of getting formula from overseas?
There are a few reasons, but the most important reason is that the EU has higher standards about what ingredients are allowed within their baby foods. Plus, they have constant quality checks on the production of those ingredients. For example, organic production is at a higher standard with bioland diversity taken into consideration (you can see this in different organic brands of EU formulas). The farmers also believe in humane treatment of their animals and natural grass-fed grazing; which allows the organic milk to have the most quality nutrients possible to begin with.
Another thing to note about European formula is how they separate their formula into stages for development of the baby. In America, there is one stage from 0 to 12 months for babies to use.
As parents, we can clearly identify that a 6 month old is developmentally different than a newborn and an almost one-year-old. As such, European formula has stage 1 for 0-6 month olds, stage 2 for 6-10/12 month olds, and stage three for 10mo/1 year plus. This allows your babies to get the exact amount of nutrients they need at each stage, instead of a little more or less like the one stage American formula does.
My top Choice: HiPP Dutch
After researching the HiPP brand and company, and looking at the ingredients inside this formula, I know HiPP Dutch is a safe and excellent choice for formula. Why?
1. There are no GMOS, synthetic ingredients, fillers, soy, maltodextrin, or added sugars
2. Humane treatment of animals from grass-fed farms for their cow’s milk
3. No hexane extraction for their added DHA/ARA, naturally derived from fish oil
4. Added prebiotics and probiotics help baby digest formula easier and prevent gas
5. The different stages for development are all packed in large 28oz tin cans
Conclusion
Hopefully my tips have at least started the search for the perfect formula for your baby. Not every formula is the perfect formula for every baby, which is why many of the brands have different options. If HiPP Dutch doesn’t work, check out the other versions they offer or other EU brands. Most importantly, do your research and make informed decisions based upon your research.
Now that we have discussed the nutrients and foods for your baby, don’t forget to think about your own food options. Check out one of my favorite 7 layer Mexican casserole dishes and more when you are planning your meals for the week.
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