When you’re a new parent, the thought of buying your baby formula can be overwhelming. You might worry about how to do it, what to buy and what not to buy. But with simple guidelines in mind, buying baby formula is straightforward.
Here’s everything you need to know before buying your first baby formula.
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Buying Baby Formula Is Easier Than Before, But It’s Not Always for the Good
Sure, it’s easier to buy baby formula today than it was before, but you still need to be aware of what you’re buying. There are fewer choices in terms of ingredients and manufacturers, but there are still some things you need to watch out for.
Baby formulas today have fewer ingredients than they used to. That might sound like a good thing, but it isn’t necessarily always true. Sometimes there are so few ingredients that the product is not as healthy or nutritious as the old ones were. The products might contain toxic chemicals or additives that could harm your baby’s health and development later on in life.
There are also fewer manufacturers making baby formula today, and these companies tend not only to be more reliable than their predecessors but also more interested in producing high-quality products. They want repeat customers who will continue buying new formulas when their babies grow out of them. That’s why they are more watchful when it comes to product quality compared to their predecessors.
You Don’t Have to Compare Nutrition Labels
Nutrition labels are not required for baby formula, just like they’re not required for food marketed to adults or food marketed to children. Nutrition labels are only required when a company wants to market its product as healthy or nutritious. That is why milk is one of the few foods that’s required by law to include one.
If you’re buying baby formula, you can rest assured that there’s no need for comparison shopping. The fact that it’s labeled “for babies” means it will be safe and easy to digest.
Don’t Overthink
You are going to see several options when shopping for baby formula. You may be tempted to get too picky with the details. The key is to stay calm and go through everything carefully. Keep a close eye on the expiry date because that’s one of the things many parents forget to check. Other than that, you should also avoid certain ingredients and brands based on any recent developments or news from the FDA.
Avoid Certain Ingredients
Avoid soy as it’s not a natural ingredient and can be difficult for babies to digest. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that parents avoid giving their children soy formula unless they cannot tolerate cow’s milk-based formulas. Corn and tapioca, on the other hand, are less nutritious than other carbohydrates and can cause allergies in some children.
The AAP recommends avoiding sugar, salt, and artificial sweeteners such as aspartame or saccharin for kids under 2 years of age. You should also avoid carrageenan, a thickening agent derived from seaweed that is used in many infant formulas. It has been linked to gastrointestinal inflammation and ulcerations in rats when consumed at high doses.
Toxic ingredients might also be present in baby formula. The Toxic Baby Formula Lawsuit can give you a better idea regarding how such ingredients make it to baby formulas. If you’re a victim of such an incident, don’t hesitate to contact a personal injury lawyer and sue the company. You’re also likely to find others who have suffered the same fate. In that case, you can team up and take on that company together.
Only Buy from Trusted Manufacturer
If you’re going to use formula instead of breastfeeding, it’s important to make sure you’re buying from a trusted manufacturer. Trustworthy manufacturers are well known for their high-quality products and are easy to spot in the marketplace.
To find out which manufacturers are trustworthy, look for ones that:
- Have been around for years
- Are part of big corporations with strong brands
Of course, big brands make mistakes too. They can also manufacture defective products. So, it’s always wise to stay updated on the latest child care news in your community and country. That way, you can play things safe and make better choices when buying baby formula.
Buying baby formula can be a daunting task. However, it doesn’t have to be so. As long as you stick to the basics we’ve talked about here, you’ll be fine. Buying baby formulas will become easier for you as you continue purchasing them regularly.