How to Choose the Best Baby Milk Formula in the Philippines
Newborn babies can't properly digest baby food yet and that's why parents would opt to feed them with breast milk or baby formula milk. Though there are hundreds of baby milk formula brands in the market today, you can easily choose the best brands with the help of these easy steps. Nevertheless, the best milk for babies should be beneficial to the growth and overall health of your little ones.
Know the Form
You can find three forms of baby formula milk sold in the market today and they are the ready-to-use formula, powdered formula, and liquid concentrate formula. Ready-to-use baby formula milk requires no mixing at all and you can feed them to your baby straight from the packaging upon opening it. Powdered formula and liquid concentrate formula both require mixing and are cheaper than the ready-to-use formula.
Know the Types
Generally, there are 8 different types of baby milk formulas, categorized by the base ingredient. The types of baby formula milk include cow-based formula, soy-based milk, human milk fortifier, organic formula milk, metabolic formula, hydrolyzed formula, and baby milk made specifically for low-birth-weight and premature babies.
Know the Ingredients
Different types of formulas will of course have different ingredients. Some might have more carbohydrate while others may carry more protein. Aside from carbohydrate and protein, you can also find monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and saturated fat as well as vitamins, minerals, rice starch, dietary fibers, amino acids, and probiotics.
Know the Benefits
All these types of baby milk formula will surely bring different benefits for your baby. To know which baby milk formula is the right one for your little one, you should first determine if your baby is lactose intolerant or not. If they are, consider the soy-based milk or any other lactose-free milk formula. Then, decide on which important ingredient that the formula milk needs to have. If your child is lacking minerals, then choose iron-fortified formula milk within their first year.
Top Baby Milk Formula Brands
There are so many brands of baby milk formula that can be the perfect choice for your little ones. Below are some of the best baby formula that are safe, affordable, and highly beneficial.
- Enfamil Enspire Powdered Baby Formula – has the closest formula to breast milk
- Gerber Good Start Gentle Powder Infant Formula – the gentle formula is suitable for babies with sensitive stomach
- Earth's Best Organic Infant Formula – high in minerals, vitamins, protein, and fatty acids (including DHA and ARA)
- Enfagrow Toddler Next Step Milk Drink – contains 22 nutrients to promote a balanced growth (good for picky babies)
- Similac Go & Grow – has omega 3 and 6 as well as lutein and galactooligosaccharides that can only be found in breast milk