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Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for any infant, but some mothers are not able to breast feed due to medical reasons. Low milk supply, pain, poor suck and health complications are just a few examples. In such situations, parents have no choice but to turn to infant formula. Healthy Times gives you the low-down on choosing the right formula for your child.

Infant formulas provide all the nutrients that infants need to grow strong and stay healthy. There are 3 main types of infant formula that you can purchase in Singapore. They include:

• · Cow’s milk formulas. Most infant formulas use cow’s milk that has been altered to resemble breast milk. It allows for easy digestion and provides the infant with the optimal amount of nutrients. However, some babies are allergic to the proteins in cow’s milk and need to take other types of formula.

• · Soy-based formulas. Available to infants who are lactose intolerant or allergic to cow’s milk. Good for parents who want to exclude animal products from their child’s diet. Unfortunately, some babies are allergic to soy-based formulas too.

• · Protein hydrolysate formulas. Also called hypoallergenic formulas, babies who are allergic to cow’s milk and soy-based formulas can turn to this. It is easier to digest and is less likely to cause allergic reactions than the other types of  formulas.

Some formulas are better than others

Today, there are even specialised formulas for premature babies who have specific medical needs and cannot rely on the other products.

Just make sure the brand of infant formula you purchase is iron fortified. Iron is an essential component for every baby during its first year of life.

Additionally, some formulas contain docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA). In laymen’s terms, these are omega-3 fatty acids found in breast milk, fish and eggs. The good news is that DHA and ARA may help in infant eyesight and brain development.

Easy to prepare

Depending on your lifestyle and preferences, there are 3 forms of infant formulas that you can buy off the shelf at any convenience store or health food outlet.

• · Powdered formula. It is cheap, but effective. It’s also easy to use because you just mix a scoop of the formula with water.
• · Concentrated liquid formula. You also have to mix this formula with water.
• · Ready-to-use formula. As the name suggests, it is the most convenient type of formula to use, but it is also the most expensive.

Before buying the formula, make sure there is no damage to the can and that the expiration date hasn’t passed because outdated formula may be unsafe to consume.

If you have any more queries or concerns regarding infant formulas or nutrition, feel free to consult your child’s doctor for advice.

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