Whether you are weaning your baby off of breast milk or just simply searching for the right baby formula to supplement with breast milk, which brand is the best and most gentle on your baby’s digestive system?

Because there are so many types of baby formulas out there, I have narrowed down the list to the top 5 baby formula brands that are on the market today.

Top 5 Formula Brands

Enfamil Premium Lipil- This is by far the best brand on the market, though it’s the priciest. It’s the only formula that actually promotes growth and development. It also supports eye and brain development and supports the immune system. It’s the closest formula to resemble mother’s breast milk because it contains DHA and ARA.

Similac Advance Early Shield- This particular formula has prebiotics to aid in proper digestion. It also helps build immunity.

Nestle Good Start- This formula contains comfort proteins also known as whey proteins. It is very gentle on a baby’s digestive system.

Parent’s Choice Milk Infant Formula- This is a Walmart brand and is the closet to the Enfamil brand.

Bright Beginnings Milk Based Infant Formula- This formula contains vegetarian blends and nutrition levels which are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

It’s best to consult your baby’s pediatrician before deciding on the best formula for your baby’s health and well being. Remember, breast milk is the best milk that your baby could ever consume so consider this before shopping for baby formula. If you are unable to nurse at this time for whatever reason, hopefully this list of baby formulas will give you a head start in searching for the proper nutrition for your sweet baby.

Do you give your baby formula or do you nurse? Maybe both? Please feel free to share your experiences with us.

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Sources: Enfamil, Similac, Brightbeginnings, Parent Choice Formula

Toddler formula taken off the shelf

According to the latest announcement from the company’s spokesperson, Mead Johnson will be phasing out the production and sale of a product called Enfagrow Premium. This chocolate flavored beverage was intended to function as a “formula” for toddlers, full of vitamins disguised by a sweet flavoring.

Enfagrow Premium was marketed toward children who are picky eaters and may not get the vitamins and nutrients they need otherwise. However, the product was quickly targeted by popular parent blogger Marion Nestle who said that it would encourage children to crave sweet foods and beverages rather than developing a broader palette.

In this way, the product was encouraging childhood obesity by encouraging the harmful sugar and fat addiction that is currently plaguing the young people in America.

The medical community weighs in

These opinions reflect the position of the American Academy of Pediatrics which posits that feeding kids excessive amounts of sweet foods and beverages encourages them to prefer sugary foods over nutritious ones. The Academy recommends that parents and guardians limit the sugar intake of toddlers to encourage healthier choices and the development of a more rounded palate.

When announcing the end of this particular product, the spokesperson for Mead Johnson was careful to say that the company stands by the product as nutritionally superior to other beverages on the market for children but that the negative attention it had received was taking away from the products strengths. He did not acknowledge that it could be harmful to the development of healthy eating habit for children over the long-term.