Feeding Your Baby – As Naturally as Possible
Once your precious child has arrived there is nothing more important than keeping that baby healthy and happy. All parents want the best for their child but one of the most necessary daily activities – feeding – can be incredibly stressful. In an ideal world, all women would be able to breastfeed and/or pump and bottle feed breastmilk exclusively. But, as we all know, that is often not possible due to insufficient supply, latch issues, tongue/lip tie, baby preference, schedule, work, etc. And in the end, what is most important is that baby is fed. While breastfeeding can be a polarizing issue for many (a discussion for another day), fed is simply best. If feeding your baby breastmilk is not possible for one reason or another, there are safe and healthy alternatives.
While there are many commercial formulas on the market, many contain a myriad of unrecognizable ingredients and other additives and preservatives that you may not want in your baby’s formula. Some individuals decide that, rather than purchasing commercially-produced formula, they will make their own but this is not advisable. It can be difficult to determine accurate measurements and safe ingredients. Fortunately, there are healthy and far superior alternatives to commercial formula.
Natural Baby Formula Options:
- Goat Milk-Based Natural Baby Formula
- Generally-speaking, goat milk is considered easier to digest than cow milk. In fact, recent research showed that goat milk protein digestion is more similar to human milk than cow milk in baby formula. Additionally, goat milk contains far more probiotics than cow milk, making it a more desirable alternative to breastfeeding than cow milk-based infant formula. While goat milk-based formula may be harder to find in the US, Kabrita and Holle are both wonderful options.
- Dairy-Based Natural Baby Formula
- If you are not concerned that your baby may have a dairy sensitivity or would like to try a natural cow-milk based baby formula first, it is important to carefully read the label and ensure there are no concerning ingredients like carrageenan, soy, palm oil, corn syrup, etc. Baby’s Only Organic Dairy Formula, Happy Baby Organic Formula, and Plum Organic Baby Formula are all great options (as well as others).
A Happy, Healthy, Fed Baby is Best
It is important to note that what works for one baby may not work for another, and vice versa. One baby may be able to tolerate cow milk-based formula right away, while another may take some time to adjust or simply be better off on a goat milk-based option. For this reason, it is incredibly important to work closely with your naturopathic pediatrician to monitor your child’s weight and overall health to ensure they are tolerating their formula and gaining weight at an appropriate rate. No matter how you feed your baby, the most important thing is a happy, healthy, fed baby.