Logically, it would seem that babies could drink the same kind of milk adults drink. After all, they are simply miniature grown-ups, right? The answer to that question is a resounding no. A baby’s body is brand new, still growing and developing so that one day he or she will grow into a healthy adult. In the meantime, parents need to choose the best feeding method possible.
Obviously, the best option is to breastfeed. Milk from the mother’s body has the perfect balance of everything a baby needs. This milk is always at the right temperature, convenient, and sanitized. That means there is never any mixing, warming, shaking, or messing with bottles. Although we highly recommend breastfeeding, which is a great opportunity for the baby and a wonderful experience for the mom, not everyone wants to feed this way, which is fine.
If you have chosen to formula feed, the key here is choosing a product that come the closest to natural breast milk relating to vitamins and minerals. Today, formulas come in a variety of options but regardless, they are all under the watchful eye of the government to ensure proper processes and right ingredients are perfect. Therefore, when you buy powdered, liquid concentrate, or ready-to-use baby formula, you should feel confidence in your decision.
Just remember that while you might start your newborn on one particular type of formula, as he or she grows, you will switch to something more enriching. In fact, it is common to switch formulas a couple of times to keep up with the nutritional demands of the child. For instance, a baby from birth to around two years of age goes through significant growth spurts, times in which both weight and height change. Again, experts recommend breastfeeding at least up to four months, the time when the baby needs colostrum and milk produced within the mother’s body to help boost the immune system.
While you might have concerns that your child is not getting enough to eat, or perhaps he or she is becoming bored with milk, understand that until your child is around six months of age, he or she is not physically developed to handle any kind of food, even soft, mushy food. In fact, children have been known to choke on something as simple as oatmeal. Therefore, your best option is to choose a well-balanced formula and stick with it until your child is a little older.
Finally, one challenge of any baby is a problem with iron deficiency anemia. If you notice your baby being exceptionally tired and listless, our doctor can do a quick blood test to determine if this is in fact the problem. If so, then iron drops can be added to the daily feeding. Otherwise, once you begin to introduce solid foods, you would choose rice and cereals that are iron-fortified, which will balance out the problem.