How to Choose Baby Formula

Because there are so many infant formulas available in the baby aisle, it can be hard to pick which one will suit your child the best. To help you make a decision, 5-Minute Crafts created a guide on the various types of baby formula available.

❗ This article is for information purposes only. It’s recommended you always consult a healthcare professional first.

1. Main types of baby formula

• Cow’s milk formula: As the name implies, this formula is based on cow’s milk. The milk used in these formulas is altered in some ways to make it safer and more easily digestible for babies. This is the most common formula type available.

• Soy-based formula: This one is a good option if your child doesn’t tolerate or is allergic to lactose or cow’s milk formulas.

• Hydrolyzed formula: If your baby doesn’t do well with either cow’s milk or soy-based formulas, this is your best option. Hydrolyzed baby formulas are designed to help the baby digest in a much easier way in comparison to the other formulas available.

2. Forms of baby formula

Keep in mind that the types of formula mentioned above can come in 3 forms:

• Powdered formula needs to be mixed with water before feeding it to the baby and it’s the most affordable one.
• Concentrated liquid formula is a fluid that also requires mixing with water before feeding.
• Ready-to-use formula is the most convenient form, as it does not need to be mixed with water, and as the name implies, it’s ready to use as soon as you open it.

3. Tips on how to choose baby formula

Be mindful of these tips when shopping for baby formula:

• Don’t spend a lot of time picking between brand-name formula versus store-brand, because they’re mostly the same.
• Make sure the formula you pick is easily accessible from a local store to avoid needless stress.
• Organic baby formulas are fine if you can afford them, but they’re not necessary as the evidence supporting the superiority of these formulas is small.
• Pick a formula based on how much you’re willing to spend and what forms of baby formula will fit into your lifestyle best.
• Once you find a formula that works for you and your baby, keep it consistent and stick with it. It’s not ideal to jump from formula to formula all the time.