Empowered Formula Feeding
Finding the best baby formula for your little one can be complicated. We recently had the pleasure of hosting Mallory Whitmore (The Formula Mom) to discuss formula options, ingredients, and how to pick the best formula for your baby.
Watch the video below to learn how to decode a baby formula label, the functional roles of common formula ingredients, and how to choose the best formula for your little one.
Here Are 3 Key Takeaways:
1. What is the role of protein in formula?
Protein is a critical macronutrient for babies and is required for the proper growth and development of muscles, bones, teeth, hair, and the immune system.
Both cow and goat milk contain a mixture of two main types of milk protein: Whey and casein. Since whey stays fluid in the gut, it tends to be easier to digest than casein.
Breastmilk has a higher whey to casein ratio than cow’s and goat’s milk, and some formula companies choose to add whey to their formula to better model the whey to casein composition found in breastmilk.
Unlike cow’s milk, goat’s milk contains little to no alpha s1 casein; a protein associated with larger and more dense curd size and quality. This means goat’s milk may be easier to digest and gentler on tiny tummies.
2. What is the importance of whey in formula?
While breast milk contains 60% whey and 40% casein proteins, cow and goat’s milk naturally contain more casein than whey. They both contain 20% whey and 80% casein proteins. To better mimic the nutritional composition of breast milk, formulas may add whey.Kabrita Goat Milk Toddler Formula has added goat whey; this adapts the whey to casein ratio and brings it closer to that found in breast milk.*
3. Why are there so many vitamins and minerals in formula?
Standard baby formula is patterned after the nutritional composition of breast milk. No animal (like cow or goat), plant or nut milk alone provides adequate nutrition for babies. They may contain too little carbohydrates, too much or too little protein, and deliver inadequate or excess vitamins and minerals. Formula must be adapted and fortified with various nutrients to meet the complex nutritional needs of a baby.
The FDA maintains infant formula guidelines around which ingredients are permitted for use, the amount of nutrients to-be included, as well as specific manufacturing standards. In addition to completing a clinical trial demonstrating safety, all infant formula in the US must comply with these parameters.
*Not suitable for cow milk protein allergy