Baby formula is designed to feed babies, as a substitute for or supplement to breast milk. There are a lot of formula options, so talk to your baby's doctor about the brand and type of formula you're considering for your baby.
Regardless of the brand and type, you can rest assured that all baby formulas have the same five main components: carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. Additionally, all formulas marketed in the United States must meet the FDA's requirements for nutrients. So although specific ingredients and formulations may vary from brand to brand, all baby formulas have the basics your baby needs.
Some parents wonder about the best formula for newborns versus the best formula for infants or older babies. The truth is that all baby formulas have essentially the same ingredients, so don't worry about buying a different formula for a different stage of your baby's first year.
What are the types of baby formula?
Formula comes in three forms:
- Powder that you mix with water
- Liquid concentrate that’s also mixed with water
- Pre-mixed and ready-to-feed bottles
Most people prefer to use powdered formulas, because they're less expensive per serving and minimize plastic waste.
All formulas contain the same components — protein, carbohydrate, and fat — so brand-name, generic, and store-brand formulas are all, essentially, the same. The source of the components, however, may differ:
- Protein: Cow's milk or soy
- Carbohydrate: Lactose, sucrose, and/or corn
- Fat: Coconut oil and/or soy oil)
Additionally, if a formula is marketed in the United States, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) requires a minimum of 29 nutrients, Opens a new windowso parents can rest easy knowing their formula is nutritionally appropriate for their babies.
As for the types of formula, there are four main options:
- Cow's milk–based formula: According to the AAP, 80 percent of infant formulas are cow’s milk-basedOpens a new window and, for infants who are not premature, this is the generally recommended type, says Dr. Agarwal. The AAP further recommends that iron-fortified formula be used for all infants who are not breastfed or partially breastfed, from birth to age 1. Most milk-based formulas have "milk-based" on the packaging; you may also see nonfat milk in the ingredient list, as well as whey and casein, the two main milk proteins. Cow's milk-based formulas may also be fortified with probiotics Opens a new window(beneficial microorganisms), prebiotics Opens a new window(which may boost the health of the intestinal lining), and most have added docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA),Opens a new window fatty acids doctors think are important for brain and eye development.
- Extensively hydrolyzed formula: If your baby has a milk protein allergy, the AAP suggests asking your doctor about extensively hydrolyzed baby formula. The protein in these formulas has been broken down into smaller proteins that are easier to digest. Note these extensively hydrolyzed proteins are broken down more thoroughly than the "partially hydrolyzed" proteins often found in "gentle" and "sensitive" formulas. Opens a new windowExtensively hydrolyzed formulas will usually be labeled "hypoallergenic" (though they're not the only type of formulas given this description) or will be labeled "extensively hydrolyzed."
- Soy formula: These formulas contain soy protein and carbohydrates, often in the form of either glucose or sucrose. Pediatricians sometimes recommend these formulas for babies who have a true milk allergy or cannot digest the lactose in cow's milk, although the AAP notes that lactose-free cow milk–based formula is an option for babies with lactose sensitivities. Parents should check with a pediatrician before starting their baby on one, however, because the AAP says it's rare for babies to have a "significant" problem with lactose, and any issues parents notice may be due to another health condition. Soy formulas will be clearly labeled as such, and you'll find ingredients like "soy protein" and "soy protein isolate."
- Specialized baby formulas: These formulas have ingredients that make them suitable for infants with particular disorders or disease, as well as those born premature. If your pediatrician recommends a specialized formula, the AAP says to follow your doctor's preparation, amount, and scheduling recommendations, as they may vary significantly from the directions on your formula's package. Specialized baby formulas will clearly spell out on the packaging what population of infants it's intended for, and ingredients will vary. Amino acid or elemental formulas are one type of specialized formulas that are becoming more common, with protein provided by amino acids instead of milk or soy.
How do I choose a baby formula?
Starting with cow’s milk-based formulas is a good place to start, as the AAP notes there are "few circumstances" in which a soy-based formula is recommended.Opens a new window If, however, you’re still unsure, Victoria Regan, M.D., a pediatrician with Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, says you can — and should — ask your pediatrician. "It is always best to speak with your child's doctor when making nutritional choices for your infant," Dr. Regan says. "This includes first-time formula choices as well as when you think your baby may need to change their formula."
Dr. Agarwal adds that soy-based and extensively hydrolyzed formulas are generally recommended for premature babies and those with special diets; if this describes your infant, your child's doctor will recommend a formula and give you special feeding instructions.
Your family's lifestyle or your dietary preferences may also guide your choice. "Some parents have strong feelings about specific ingredients — cow milk products, soy products, corn syrup, etc.," says Jessica Gust, a pediatric dietitian and founder of Element Nutrition Co. For Kids,Opens a new window who often helps parents choose a formula through her practice.
Dr. Agarwal also reminds parents that “most formulas are not dramatically different — approved formulas all contain iron, vitamin D, and other basic nutrients babies need."
What type of formula is best for breastfed babies?
In general, traditional infant formula — i.e. cow’s milk — will suit breastfed infants just fine, says Del Cid. But if your child is showing signs of intolerance, like extreme gas, constipation, or fussiness, the conversation can always continue with your pediatrician.
How much formula should my baby drink a day?
According to the AAP, your baby should take in an average of about 2½ ounces of formula a dayOpens a new window for every pound of body weight. After the first few weeks, this translates to about 2 to 3 ounces of formula every three to four hours. By the end of the first month, your baby will consume around 4 ounces every four hours. And by six months your baby may consume 6 to 8 ounces at each of four or five feedings in 24 hours.
Can I make my own baby formula?
You should never feed your baby homemade formula,Opens a new window says Dr. Agarwal, who notes that these mixes can be nutrient-deficient and even toxic. According to the AAP, "formula mixtures made from online or other resources may not have vital components, such as enough iron or vitamins for a baby. Or, they may have too much salt or other nutrients that your baby's kidneys and liver cannot handle in large amounts."
Should I switch formula brands?
In general, it's best to stick with one type and resist the urge to switch, even if your baby is having problems like spitting up, gas, and colic. Most of the time, these problems have to do with your baby's immature gastrointestinal tract, not diet. Try the formula for at least a couple weeks. After that, if your baby's still having trouble, talk to your baby's doctor about switching.
What's the best type of water to use to mix powder formula?
According to the AAP, if your tap water is safe,Opens a new window you can simply mix powdered formula with room temperature tap water. If your tap water is not safe or you’re unsure, use bottled water or bring cold tap water to a rolling boil for no longer than one minute. (Boiling for more than one minute could increase the concentration of impurities in the water.) Then allow the water to cool to room temperature for 30 minutes prior to mixing it.
When do babies stop drinking formula?
When your baby turns 1, you can transition from giving formula to giving whole cow's milk in a bottle or sippy cup. Until then, find out how much formula your baby needs by age and weight.Opens a new window
Ingredients in baby formula
- Hydrolyzed proteins: There are two types of hydrolyzed formulas: partially and extensively. According to the AAP, in partially hydrolyzed cow's milk formulas, the proteins are only partially broken down and are not intended to be used to treat cow's milk allergy. Extensively hydrolyzed formulas, on the other hand, break down proteins to such a small percentage that many (90 percent) infants who are allergic to cow's milk can tolerate them.
- Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs): These are non-digestible carbohydrates found in breast milk that have a range of physiological benefits comparable to probiotics.
- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA): According to the FDA, DHA and ARA (arachidonic acid)Opens a new window are both long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids that may play a role in brain and eye development, though more research is needed to prove the connection).
- Iron: All FDA-approved formulas are fortified with iron, says Dr. Agarwal.
- Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM): In one study, infants who consumed formula containing MFGMOpens a new window scored higher in cognitive, language and motor development.
- Lactoferrin: Lactoferrin is an iron transport protein that has immune benefits. Opens a new window
- Choline: Choline is an essential nutrientOpens a new window that plays an important role in brain and eye development.
- Lutein: Infant formulas are sometimes fortified with this carotenoid, but it's so far unclear if lutein makes a significant difference in development. Opens a new window
- Zinc: Some toddler formulas contain more of this trace element to aid in development.
- Vitamin E: This vitamin, sometimes supplemented in preterm infants, is necessary for brain and eye development.
- Probiotics: Probiotics are added strains of “good bacteria” that promote gut health. According to the AAP, the most common types of probiotics are strains of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli.Opens a new window Some research has shown these probiotics may prevent or treat disorders such as diarrhea and eczema, but the connection is as yet unproven.
- Prebiotics: Prebiotics also encourage gut health,Opens a new window but work a bit differently. They are supplements or foods that contain a nondigestible ingredient that may stimulate the growth of natural probiotics.