Like most new expectant parents, we received all sorts of formula samples, sometimes even full-sized cans, of Similac, Enfamil, and Gerber. Since I had planned on breastfeeding from the start, we put those into the cabinet and pretty much forgot about them.
That is, until my raw, bleeding, blubbering self was handed a bottle by my loving husband. The first of many bottles that Tycho would have.
We found out relatively quickly that something wasn’t working. Tycho started to get really gassy, like his stomach was cramping up, and he started getting some mucus in his stools. So we switched from what we were using (Similac Advance) to something we thought would be easier (Similac Sensitive). Matt was concerned about the amount of corn in that blend, so we switched to Enfamil Gentlease, to no avail. We also gave Nestle Good Start a try for a bit, and that seemed to work for about a month, but his issues came back with a vengeance. We thought then that it might be a milk sensitivity, so on with researching hypoallergenic formulas; we even bought a can of Enfamil Nutramigen, thinking that would work (after all, I was a Nutramigen baby). He HATED it. Like, hated with a huge, capital “H”.
He ate it. All of it. And for the first time in his short life, he was happy.
And so were we.
What are the differences between formulas? Aren’t they all the same?
As you can tell by our experience, absolutely not, not all formulas are the same. Yes, they all need to meet certain nutritional standards, including generic brands, so any formula will be a good choice for your baby. But while the differences are sometimes small, those differences between brands can make a huge difference, especially to a sensitive child.
Milk-based formula. These are the most common types of formula and can be tolerated by most babies. Some manufacturers have different formulas for different age ranges; for instance, some have different vitamins and minerals meant to supply what a growing baby needs at each stage of his life. There are also thickened formulas for reflux (typically with rice starch) and organic versions (though not all the ingredients are organic).
Gentle formula. Typically also milk-based, gentle formulas are marketed towards babies with sensitive tummies. They’re made with partially broken-down proteins, or partially hydrolyzed proteins, so they are easier to digest. They’re something to consider, as it’s suggested that babies fed this kind of formula fare better in a few different ways. You’ll be looking for the words “partially hydrolyzed whey or casein”, or broken-down types of milk proteins, on the label.
Soy formula. There’s been a lot of debate about whether soy formulas are good for babies, as it obviously floods a baby’s system with a lot of soy protein at once. These are really only recommended if baby is truly lactose intolerant or allergic to milk protein, or if the parents are vegan. We weighed the risks before putting our own baby on a soy formula, and while there are risks (incremental, I should mention), we decided that the benefits of using a soy formula far outweigh the risks that we read about. However, if you can use a different kind of formula and, say, you can’t afford hypoallergenics – or if your baby won’t eat them, like ours wouldn’t – soy is definitely an option. And it’s a good option!
Hypoallergenic formula. These are similar to the gentle blends noted above, but instead of partially breaking down the proteins, these are completely hydrolyzed milk proteins. Theoretically, it means even babies who are allergic to milk protein can tolerate it. These and the ones mentioned next are life-saving for babies with severe allergies or intolerances, but I must warn you that they’re expensive and smell like ass. Like, seriously, if I had known what I was drinking as a baby, I’d’ve refused it, too! But it’s fantastic for babies who truly need it.
Amino acid formula. Now this formula is an absolute last resort. If a hypoallergenic or soy formula fails to manage baby’s feeding issues, these formulas are designed with severe intolerances in mind. Some babies are sensitive to both milk and soy proteins, making any of the above formulas inadequate. They will still contain all the same nutrients as routine formulas, but amino acids are used instead of whole proteins, so protein allergens aren’t even a consideration.
Specialty formula. Premature infants or infants who have a difficult time gaining or maintaining their weight are sometimes put onto specialty formulas to combat these issues. This kind of formula should ONLY be used under doctor’s advice and supervision. Sometimes doctors will have parents use a regular formula and just mix different ratios of formula to water or add other ingredients to make them more nutrient-dense, but again this should ONLY be done under doctor’s advice and supervision.
Contact your doctor. That is all.
How about ready-to-feed (RTF), concentrated, and powdered formula?
Formula comes in three forms: RTF, concentrated, and powdered.
Powdered is the most common and the most economical: Simply add, shake, and stir. Safely, of course.
Concentrated is probably the least common, but it comes in liquid form and requires adding water to make it drinkable.
(Funny story: When my mom first started feeding my brother, she used a concentrated formula without realizing... and wondered why he was getting so fat!! This is definitely NOT recommended just for the fuck of it, but boy, did she feel silly when she realized what was going on!)
Ready-to-feed is exactly that: It’s already mixed and prepped for you. All you do is pour it from the container into the bottle. Some companies make “nurser” bottles where you just attach a provided nipple to the bottle of formula, making it super easy, especially for travel. They’re also great for newborns as they’re easy and safe, leaving little room for human error or contamination. Not all companies make RTF formulas, though. I know Earth’s Best doesn’t, sad!
It’s worth pointing out that some babies actually do better with RTF versus powdered formula (due to its consistency or its lacking corn as an anti-caking agent commonly found in powders), so if your baby is sensitive or refluxy, maybe try a RTF formula before switching to hypo or soy.
What if my baby has a sensitivity to his formula?
For this, I would like to point you to this post by the Fearless Formula Feeder, who does a much better job at breaking it all down. Her son had to go through myriad different formulas before landing on a hypoallergenic one, and I think she does great at explaining the signs and symptoms, when to see your doctor, and what the future holds for your hypo-baby.
Which one is best for me and baby?
Now that, you’ll need to find out on your own! One isn’t necessarily better than the other, but there are some key differences, so if there are feeding issues, don’t worry! There’s a bit of trial and error in choosing the right formula (and if you can tell, it took us a LOT of error), but you’ll soon find a feeding system that seemingly works miracles. Life will be better for everyone, trust me!
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