There are so many things to worry about as a new parent with a baby to care for. What to feed them, how often to feed them, formula or breast milk, what to look for in a formula if breastfeeding is not an option? There are several factors to look at when choosing a baby formula for your infant to ensure that they are receiving the best nutrition possible:

1. Get advice from your doctor
As there is really no one size fits all when it comes to children, most new parents turn to get advice from their doctors. This is a great first step because your doctor can tell you what nutrients your baby needs the most and what health factors they may be at risk of and therefore what you need to focus on when choosing a formula.
Your doctor can also help determine if your baby has any allergies or sensitivities that you will need to be aware of.

2. Does the baby have a milk allergy?
Although milk allergies in newborns are not overly common, it is definitely something to consider when you are selecting a formula for your baby. If you notice your baby is suffering from excessive vomiting after eating, extremely colicky or develops a rash it’s probably a good idea to get advice from your doctor about a potential milk (casein) allergy so you can discuss your options.

3. Cow’s milk formulas
Cow’s milk formulas are reformulated to be similar to breast milk. With the right amount and balance of nutrients such as carbohydrates, fat and protein; cow’s milk formulas are ideal for newborns as they are the easiest to digest. These formulas can be purchased ready made or in powder form depending on your needs.

4. Fortified formulas
When choosing a baby formula you will want to pick a formula fortified with iron as iron fortified baby foods can help with potential iron deficient anemia in newborns. It is also advisable to look for formula infused with prebiotics and probiotics. Most people are familiar with probiotics, which are healthy bacteria that help improve gut and colon health. Many adults find that taking a probiotic supplement greatly improves their digestion and gut health. So what are prebiotics? Prebiotics are a type of fiber that helps to sustain probiotics. Having a healthy balance of probiotics and prebiotics in your baby’s diet will go a long way to helping them ward off illness and keeping them healthy.

5. Holle infant milk
Holle Infant milk is a European based baby formula which is made with real milk and because it comes in different stages you are able to use the stage 1 formula with your baby right from birth. The Holle organic baby formula contains all the necessary nutrients your baby will need to thrive and grow.