How to choose a safe and healthy formula to feed your infant.
For new parents choosing formula is more than just a trip to the local store. Insuring that your infant is receiving the best, and safest, formula takes time and research. These days the formula you choose must be tolerable by the infant, provide all the necessary vitamins and minerals, and be budget friendly.
The quest for the best healthy formula must begin before your child is born. Many hospitals will ask you what formula you want your child to have and unless you specify a formula they will give you whatever is handy. The formula provided and suggested by the hospital might not be that bad but if your infant has a touchy stomach you could be in for a rough ride.
Some infants are intolerant to dairy products and so a lactose free formula would be essential. Other infants are simply not tolerant to certain brands of formula. For example some infants can digest the well-known formula brands the brands found at the local store might not sit well on their stomach. While knowing if your infant can digest certain types of formula is completely unpredictable you can take steps to find out which formulas have the vitamins and minerals all infants need.
If you know what vitamins and minerals your child will need to grow healthy and strong you are one step ahead of the game. If you are not sure your best bet is to talk to a pediatrician. Most pediatricians will be happy to let you know what brands work best for their patients and will give you a good list of formulas to choose from. If your child already has a pediatrician (it is recommended that you have a pediatrician chosen before your child is born) they will usually have a brand that they strongly recommend to their patients.
Now that you know what brand of formula you want to get the next step is making sure it budget friendly. We are all tempted to cut corners when it comes to making any purchase but when starting an infant out on formula it is best if you stick to the brand the pediatrician recommends. When the infant gets older you might be able to switch but initially do not be tempted by the cheaper imitation brands. There are ways to get the name brand formula without breaking your budget.
The first stop in getting discounted formula is, surprisingly, the OB/GYN. Many receive samples of various name brand formulas to give to expectant mothers. If your OB/GYN does not carry the brand you need your next step is going to the pediatrician. The pediatrician often has a wider selection of formula samples and both physicians will have coupons to give out. In addition to the pediatrician and OB/GYN the hospital where the baby delivers will usually have a large stock of formula and are happy to give new families at least a week supply of formula along with many coupons and other discount offers.
Finding the right formula can be a daunting task at first but once one gets started down the right path things aren't that hard. There are many people willing and ready to help you make your decisions and help make your choice affordable. In the end a happy baby will let you know that you have made the right choice.
