If you feed your child formula by preference or because of a need or not, you should give them the best quality you can. For certain parents, this means making the switch to organic. Every infant formula is closely examined by the Food and Drug Administration to ensure that they comply with specific nutritional guidelines. However, Holle Organic Formula needs to comply with specific federal guidelines in order to be certified.
Similar to organic produce or dairy, an organic formulas must be made using organically certified ingredient and process aids. These formulas are also non-GMO and must be in compliance in accordance with the list that is published by the United States of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. This means that some preservativesand flavors, and other ingredients included in conventional formulas are absent from organic formulas.
“With growing concerns over our food supply and the pesticides and chemicals which our food items could come in contact with, going organic food is an option for parents who wish to limit the risk of their children being exposed to pesticide residues as well as potentially harmful chemicals in manufacturing formulation,” Nutritionist Crystal Karges. It’s also an excellent choice for babies with compromised immune systems or endocrine issues, since it may help in reducing other health issues that can arise from eating formulas that contain trace amounts of pesticides.
Organic baby formula: What’s it made of?
We’re aware of the ingredients that aren’t in organic products as per federal guidelines however, what exactly is it? It can differ widely among brands. Experts recommend studying the labels carefully to ensure you’re familiar in the products you purchase.
Most organic alternatives have the base of cow’s milk, but some are made using goat’s milk or soy. These may include ingredients like DHA, ARA, prebiotics and probiotics or Whey protein, which helps them to resemble breastmilk more closely.
The nutritionist Natalie Gillett argues that the organic ingredients are not necessarily better than those found the traditional formula.
“For example, many organic formula brands use glucose and corn syrup solids as their source of carbohydrates–versus lactose, which is the carb source in breast milk,” she says. “Also this controversial palm oil can be a source of fat in numerous Organic formulations… Although it’s not necessarily harmful to consume theseproducts, I prefer formulas that contain higher quality fats and carbohydrates such as sunflower/safflower oils, respectively.
“The aim is to pick an ingredient that has an nutritional profile that is as similar the breastmilk as is possible,” she adds. “There’s absolutely no solids from corn syrup present in milk from breasts!”
It’s also important to understand that”organic” doesn’t always mean natural. The childbirth expert Genevieve Howland notes that the FDA demands that all formulas contain certain preservatives and nutrients that are only obtainable in a laboratory, including Nucleotides, lycopene and lutein as well as taurine and L-Carnitine. While these ingredients are popular as a part of the U.S., many of these ingredients are prohibited within the European Union and that’s why organic sticklers tend to choose European formulations.
“There’s an additional question to consider when evaluating formulas which is, what kind of ingredients are included used in formula? Howland declares. “Not every recipe, organic or otherwise, has the same amount of fat, protein, and carbohydrates.”
Does organic baby formula really make it?
Similar to organic foods and other items organic formulations come with a price higher over standard products it’s your choice to decide what’s the worth of this cost.
“I believe that when it concerns organic formulas it is important to think about the possibility of exposure to something for a long the course of time” Karges says. “So If your baby is getting formula frequently and price is a concern making a choice to use a standard formula is the best choice. But for a child who is using formula as their main nutrition source, it might be beneficial to purchase organic formula to limit the risk of exposure to chemicals and pesticides in the process.”
Parents have chosen to circumvent the expense issue by creating their own baby formula from scratch at home. This method is deemed to be unsafe according to experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
“If the price of organic formula isn’t to be a burden to your household, don’t let it affect how you feed your child,” Howland says. “Never reduce the amount of food you feed your baby to make use of organic formula. Healthy babies are properly fed baby.”
Making the right choice between natural baby formulas for babies
There are more organic baby formula available in the present than ever before and companies are continually revising their ingredient lists to make the most effective formula for your baby.
“I am a fan of encouraging parents to select an organic formula that will meet their child’s specific requirements, since all formulas may differ slightly depending on the components,” Karges says.