What is the best formula to give to a baby?

Your doctor will need to make that recommendation based on your babies needs.

You might be surprised that once you've been breastfeeding you won't want to give it up. The benefits to you and the baby are amazing. And even if you are going back to work you can still breastfeed completely or offer formula during the day if you can't pump at work and then breastfeed once you are home with baby.

I ended up with Similac Organic and was very happy with it. But your baby may end up needing a different formula (soy-based or whatever). Start with the organic milk-based, though. If there is a problem (and you will know), talk to your doctor and she/he will help you to consider other types.

Hopefully breastfeeding will work for you. And if it does, definitely try to pump for as long as you can. Rent a good breastpump. It'll be a LOT cheaper than formula (and breastmilk is really good for your baby but of course you already know that).

I've had friends who say the key is to get pumping after a few weeks (wait until after you've established your milk supply and your baby is used to breastfeeding) and start getting your baby to take a bottle periodically at about 5 weeks. If you wait too long, it could be very challenging. I've had a few friends who had a lot of trouble trying to introduce the bottle later and that made going back to work much more stressful for them. Just an FYI and good luck! :)

Of course, breastmilk is ALWAYS best. However, should you decide to use formula, there is no benefit in paying double the cost for "brand" name formula. All formula is regulated by the FDA and is all nutritionally equal. Those with DHA and ARA could be better since it supplies things that breastmilk has. However, all generic brands also offer these benefits as well. All generic formula's are produced by the same company, PBM. So there is no difference in say , Wal-Mart vs. K-mart, vs Walgreens, etc. They all are EXACTLY the same from the same recipe.

all formula is fda regulated and must meet nutritional requirement. the biggest difference is milk based, soy based, lactose free aka sensitive formula, and special needs formula. each child is different and require different formula. most babies can be on the regular milk based formula. so that is probably where you should start then go from there as your pediatrician recommends. as for brands my son's pediatrician said there are such minimal differences between them it doesn't matter enfamil over similac or store brand. hope this was helpful. congratulations!

I use parents choice(walmart brand). It cost way less and it has the exact same benefits as emfimil lipil. I do know that where I live doctors recommend enfamil lipil and that is the only brand you can get if you are on WIC because they believe that it is best for the baby. with the brand I use you get the large can that normal cost $25 in the name brand for 11.88.

I did the same as telltell 98. I used what they had given me at the hospital which then led to a milk allergy and then tryed out similac lactose free and stuck with it...

It may take a couple to find the right one

It's wonderful to hear that you're going to give your baby the best start in life by breastfeeding. I don't know why any knowledgeable mother would even consider formula unless it was a life-or-death scenario.

Especially after formula in the US was found to be contaminated with melamine recently. The companies that manufacture formula do NOT have your baby's health in mind when they make the formula. They have their PROFITS in mind.

The key to successful breastfeeding is to be stubbornly committed to it. Do not allow anyone at the hospital to give your baby a bottle under any circumstances. Demand to nurse immediately after the baby is born - all their procedures (which you don't have to have - Vitamin K shot, antibiotics in the eyes, bathing, Hep B vaccine etc) can wait until after you've had a chance to nurse.

We drew up a birth plan - we said that if I had a c-section and the baby had to go to the nursery for any reason, that dad would go with baby to make sure nothing was done without our consent. We said no to antibiotics in the eyes because I don't have venereal disease. We said no to Hep B because babies don't have sex or share needles with drug users. We said we would give the baby his first bath when I felt up to it. We said no to Vit K injection, though we would have given oral Vit K if it had been available.

Just remember, you're the only person in the world who can advocate for your baby. To the doctors and the hospital, your baby's just a number and they treat them all the same instead of considering what's really best for each baby.

Learn all you can about breastfeeding and make sure your partner is totally supportive so that when others start pushing formula your partner can protect you and your baby. Believe in yourself. It's not always easy in the beginning, but it is so worth it. Trust that your baby and your body can figure this out - together : )

There will be times when you start to question your body's ability to feed your baby. My answer to this was not to allow any formula in our home. Then when I had moments of doubt I couldn't easily give formula. The answer to almost any nursing concern is . . . relax and nurse more! You won't just be giving your baby the best possible food - you'll be giving your baby comfort, security, and connection.

I didn't nurse my first born but I did nurse my second, third and fourth child and not nursing my eldest is one of my biggest regrets in life. The experience of nursing is profoundly beautiful.

Best of luck to you and your precious baby. Remember, if you start giving formula it's easy to undermine the supply and demand balance that successful nursing requires. The best formula to give a baby is no formula.

Ask your doctor. He can make a good recommendation. I used Nestle Goodstart Supreme. It worked really well for my baby.

I like the good start. That was the only one my son liked and it was easiest on him tummy. That would probably be the one I use this time around as well.

I just went with what the hospital used, Goodstart Supreme. My son does great on it.