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Breastmilk is the perfect food for your baby. In fact, according to Unicef, at 6 months of age, breastmilk continues to be a vital source of your baby's nutrition and by this time solid foods should be gradually introduced to keep up with her growing needs.
While not all mothers can continue breastfeeding due to health issues or personal preferences, they look for the best formula milk having the nutrients close to mother's milk to ensure their baby's healthy development.
But with the variety of options today, it's hard to choose which formula fits your growing baby.
Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- what’s best for your baby’s needs
- what will your baby accept
- what fits into your budget
Things to Know Before Choosing a Formula
The first thing parents need to consider before buying a formula is what the base ingredient can be. Here are some of the common ingredients used as a base for baby formula.
Cow’s Milk: Most babies' formula is made with cow's milk. It is the most common and the least expensive one. Most babies do well with cow's milk but some babies are allergic to it which needs some types of milk below.
Soy Milk: If you want to exclude animal proteins from your child's diet, this type of formula might be also an option for your baby. Consult first a pediatrician, before choosing or switching to this type of formula.
Lactose-Free: It is used for babies that are lactose intolerant or have allergy issues.
Hydrolyzed baby formula. Also called protein hydrolysate–based formula or predigested formula, these formulas contain broken-down (or “predigested”) amino acids, making them easier for the baby to digest.
Read: Best Vitamins for Babies Up to 12 Months Old
Read: List of Best Formula Milk for 1-3 Years Old Baby