Tips for Feeding your Toddler

August 27th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments
Tips for Feeding your Toddler

Toddlers are notorious for finicky and strange eating habits. Even if your child was a great eater as a baby, you may suddenly find yourself confronted with a whole different person when the toddler years come along. With a new desire for independence and a newly discovered ability to voice opinions, feeding your toddler any kind of healthy toddler diet can be a difficult challenge. Try these tips to make it a little easier.

Mix It Up

Pairing a food your toddler refuses to eat with one that he likes might encourage him to actually eat it all – but not if you let him pick and choose. The best way to get a toddler to eat a food he generally refuses is to mix it in with the one he likes. If he wants a great big bite of that macaroni and cheese, there’s no way to get it without a few French-cut green beans along for the ride. That spaghetti sauce he loves, well, there are now grated carrots and finely chopped spinach inside. And no way to avoid them.

Mix up all kinds of healthy foods with toddler-friendly favorites: finely chopped vegetables are easily added to meatballs; soups are a great place to add more veggies too. Add extra fruit to oatmeal and yogurt, and even ice cream. Blend bananas, berries and other fruits into pancake batter.

Fun Finger Foods

Toddlers love foods that are fun to eat, so serve up finger foods with interesting options for dips. Vegetables are suddenly a lot more interesting with a choice of dips, such as a cheese sauce or ranch dressing. Take the meatballs out of the spaghetti sauce and serve them as a finger food with marinara on the side for dipping.

Pieces of fruit can be served this way too; use vanilla yogurt as a tasty dip for apple, pear and banana slices as well as fresh berries.

Use dinner rolls to make sliders for little hands, topped with small slices of tomatoes and piece of lettuce. Then put mustard and ketchup on the side to dip the slider into. When you up the fun quotient of a food, you make it a lot more interesting to a toddler.

Work With, Not Against Your Toddler

Sometimes the best you can do with a toddler is to wave the white flag and make peace. Dinner time power struggles don’t get anyone anywhere useful. You will wind up frustrated and your child will not learn anything. Try to find a compromise. If she really doesn’t like broccoli, there is likely nothing you can do to make her eat it. Try to substitute other foods that offer similar nutritional value. Explain to your toddler that you know she doesn’t like broccoli, so you aren’t going to make her eat it. Instead, she can try this spinach, which you think she will like a whole lot more.

If your toddler has that common obsession with foods staying separate on the plate, don’t get frustrated because you don’t understand it. Instead, show her you get it by letting her choose a plate with separate compartments for all her foods.

Feeding a toddler can be frustrating, but if you keep your cool and find ways to make foods more interesting, you will have a lot more success than with demands and ultimatums. When your toddler feels you are listening and understanding, you will get more cooperation than when you try to lay down the law.

Probiotics and Your Baby’s Health

August 26th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments
Probiotics and Your Baby’s Health

The newest word in the area of immune health and digestive support is probiotics. These helpful bacteria are proving to have a number of benefits for good health in both adults and children. From thrush to colic to gastroenteritis, probiotics have been connected with helping to treat a number of conditions in babies.

How Probiotics Work

The human body is filled with microorganisms, some of which are beneficial to the body’s function, and some of which are not. Good bacteria exist naturally in the digestive system, but many factors can lead to reducing their levels so that they are no longer able to perform their tasks. This can cause reduced immunity to illness, poor digestion, and influence a number of other problems in the body.

Probiotics are supplements that can be taken as pills or added to foods to populate your body with good bacteria and help to bring the balance back to normal. These supplements add to your body’s natural supply of beneficial bacteria to help regulate your digestion and support your immune system.

What Can Probiotics Do for Your Baby?

Research is still being done on probiotics and their effects on the body. So far, there is encouraging evidence that these supplements may provide relief for a number of problems suffered by babies. Reducing colic, improving digestion to reduce gas, constipation and diarrhea, and lessening the impact of viral infections on your baby’s stomach are just a few of the benefits research is turning up for the use of probiotics.

Probiotics have also been connected with improvements in eczema, and with treating thrush, a yeast infection of the mouth that is common in young babies. If your baby has to take antibiotics, which are known for encouraging yeast infections and also causing diarrhea, a probiotic supplement will reduce these reactions.

Probiotics can also shorten the amount of time your baby will have to suffer with a stomach bug, as the good bacteria will more quickly bring health back to the digestive system.

Breast milk does a better job of supporting production of good bacteria in your baby than formula, but even breast fed babies can benefit from the addition of supplementary probiotics.

How Should I give My Baby Probiotics?

Some new formulas contain probiotic cultures, but if your baby is not using formula, or you do not wish to use that type of formula, there are other ways to add probiotics to your baby’s diet. Probiotics capsules can be opened and added to baby’s bottle or even put directly into baby’s mouth. If your baby is eating solid baby foods, you can add probiotics to purees or also choose foods that naturally provide probiotics.

The most commonly known food that provides probiotic benefits is yogurt. Many commercial yogurts, however, have been heated to extend shelf life. To truly reap the probiotic benefits of yogurt, you should look for one that has not been heated, usually available in health and natural food stores. Many other foods are now showing up on the shelves that have had probiotics added, as their popularity rises due to the new research.

Although probiotics are believed to be safe for use in very young babies, you should always discuss any supplement or medication with your baby’s doctor prior to using it. Your doctor can recommend the best way to add probiotics to baby’s diet as well as the appropriate amount of the supplement for the most benefit.

The 5 Most Important Reasons to Breastfeed

August 25th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments
The 5 Most Important Reasons to Breastfeed

Breastfeeding can be challenging. While it’s a natural process, that doesn’t make it an easy one. Many new moms struggle with getting the hang of it, and it can be frustrating and disappointing. Although a rough start to breastfeeding can lead many moms to throw in the towel, remember that there are very good reasons to push forward. You are making an excellent choice for your baby as well as for yourself. Check out this list if you need a reminder of why it’s worth every minute of the struggle.

1. Building Baby’s Immune System

Formula can’t give your baby the antibodies needed to stay healthy in the first few months of life. Until around 3 months old, your baby’s body isn’t yet capable of producing its own antibodies, so breast milk is the only source. Even beyond the first months, the incredible combination of nutrients found only in breast milk will continue to strengthen your baby’s immune system. This means fewer colds, infections and other illnesses to make your baby (and you) miserable. It also means that those illnesses your baby does contract will likely be over faster and less severe, as your baby’s body is better able to fight it off.

2. Protecting Baby’s Future Health

Breastfeeding has been connected with a lower risk of a number of conditions later in life. Breastfed babies are less likely to obese, and less likely to be diagnosed with diabetes. They have a lower incidence of asthma, allergies and other respiratory issues. Breast milk has also been connected with a lower risk of childhood leukemia.

3. Providing Your Baby with the Perfect Nutrition

Breast milk is not just the perfect baby food; it’s the perfect food for your baby. Every woman produces breast milk that is designed specifically for her own baby’s needs. The balance of nutrition and composition changes over time, meeting the ever-changing needs of your baby’s growing body. This is something formula just isn’t capable of doing. While formula is one size fits all, breast milk is tailored perfectly for the baby it is being made to feed.

4. Protecting Your Health

The newest research indicates that breastfeeding isn’t only beneficial to the baby. Mothers who breastfeed have a lower chance of both breast and ovarian cancer. It also encourages postpartum weight loss, and research shows that not only do breastfeeding mothers lose more weight; they also keep it off better than non-breastfeeding mothers. Despite previous concerns about calcium being leached from the bones of breastfeeding mothers, the newest evidence suggests that breastfeeding actually strengthens bones and results in a lower chance of osteoporosis later in life.

5. Keeping Your Budget in Check

Have you looked at the price of formula recently? It’s expensive, and it adds up fast. Not only does breast milk save you a lot of money on formula, but also on bottles, nipples, washing and sterilizing equipment and probably on laundry too – formula spit up tends to stain while breast milk spit up doesn’t.

Whenever you feel like breastfeeding is just too hard, remember all of these important reasons to carry on. You are doing something incredible for your baby and for yourself, and you will see the benefits for many years to come. Although there may be hurdles to overcome as you settle in to breastfeeding, they will soon be a thing of the past. These benefits however, will last a lifetime.

Is Your Baby Ready for Solids?

August 24th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments
Is Your Baby Ready for Solids?

The transition to solid baby foods is the first major transition your baby will face, and everyone has an opinion on the subject. Knowing when your baby is really ready for solids can be a bit tricky, but there are some signs to look for. There is also a great deal of misinformation regarding the transition to solid foods that can cause mothers to add solids before baby is ready. Check your knowledge and find out if your baby is ready to try!

At What Age Should Solids Be Started?

Although traditionally the answer to this question has been anywhere from 4-6 months old, the AAP now officially recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life. Every baby is different, however, as you have heard on so many subjects, and there are better indications than age to determine when a baby is ready. While the 6 month mark is a good place to start, your baby might not be ready until 7 months, so don’t stress it! Eventually, your baby will get there.

What are the Physical Signs of Readiness?

There are some physical abilities your baby must master in order to be ready for solid foods. Until baby is physically ready, you won’t have much success and you risk choking. Watch for these signs your baby is good to go:

  • Able to sit up with moderate support, such as in a high chair. This means that baby isn’t just propped up in the chair, but can lean forward as well, and really only needs the chair to prevent falling over.
  • Able to hold up the head well – this should go along with sitting up, most babies who can sit up well enough to start solids have developed their neck muscles enough to hold their heads up well.
  • Losing the tongue-thrust reflex. Babies have a reflex that helps to protect them from choking by causing the tongue to push out foreign matter in the mouth. By 4 months old this reflex starts to fade, but it often isn’t gone entirely until 6 months old. This reflex will make it difficult to get baby to swallow any solid foods. Also around 6 months old, baby will start to master the ability to use the tongue to push food to the back of the mouth to be swallowed.

What Other Signs of Readiness are There?

In addition to the physical development needed to eat solid foods, there are a few other signs you can look for in your baby to tell if it’s a good time to start solids.

  • Baby shows interest in how the others at the table are eating and may reach for your food. The best way to watch for this sign is to bring baby to the table. Pull the high chair up when you are eating, so that your baby can watch what is going on and develop an interest.
  • Baby mimics your eating behaviors, such as bringing food to the mouth or opening up for a bite.
  • Baby has the ability to indicate yes or no either through gestures or simply opening or closing the mouth.

What is Not a Sign of Readiness?

There is some misinformation out there, mainly perpetuated by well-meaning friends and relatives, regarding a baby’s readiness for solids. Just because you have a large baby does not mean you need to start solids earlier. No matter your baby’s size, breast milk or formula are all that is needed for the first six months. Also contrary to popular belief, there is no evidence that starting solids earlier will help a baby sleep at night. Night wakings are not a sign of readiness.

Watch for the above signs of readiness to make sure that your transition to solids goes smoothly for everyone!

Breastfeeding for Working Moms

August 23rd, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments
Breastfeeding for Working Moms

Returning to work can be a difficult challenge for moms who would like to continue breastfeeding their baby. In addition to fitting work and family time into your busy schedule, you must now add pumping and cleaning of bottles and pump parts. But if you can manage to find a way, continuing to breastfeed your baby after returning to work is a healthy choice for your little one.

Continued Health Benefits and Immunity

Unless you are one of the lucky few who have a family member able to watch your baby, or can afford a nanny in your home, odds are your baby will be going to daycare when you go back to work. This means baby will be exposed to a lot more germs than at home with you. The antibodies and nutrients a baby receives from breast milk mean a stronger immune system, which could keep your baby from getting sick. While it does take extra time to pump and provide breast milk for your baby, it’s nothing compared to the time you will lose from work if you have to be at home with a sick infant.

In addition to keeping baby’s immune system strong, the longer you breastfeed, the more of the other health benefits your baby will receive. Especially if you are going back to work fairly soon after baby is born, continued breastfeeding until at least 4 months of age will give your baby a good start on the path to health.

Pumping at Work

One of the biggest challenges working moms face is finding both a time and place to pump at work. If you don’t have a private office and don’t want to use the restroom, ask your boss if there is a meeting room or other private space where you can close the door and pump. Some moms also use their car to pump, which might be difficult depending on what your parking space is like.

If you don’t have access to a refrigerator at work in which to store the pumped milk, keep a cooler filled with ice in the trunk of your car. You can safely store your milk there until you get it home. A small cooler bag with an ice pack or two kept near your desk works great too. Cleaning up the pump parts after use can be difficult if all you have access to is a restroom sink. There are convenient wipes you can use to clean the parts quickly, and give them a wash at home – or, keep the parts cold along with the milk until you get home.

Compromises are Ok

If you are really struggling to provide enough breast milk for your baby while working, don’t let it become a source of major stress for you. It’s ok to supplement with formula. Breastfeeding isn’t an all or nothing proposition. Whatever amount of breast milk your baby receives will help. If you choose to use formula during the day and nurse in the evenings, that is ok! You have a lot to deal with, so don’t feel bad if you have to make compromises.

Every bit of breast milk your baby receives will help, so do your best to continue some level of breastfeeding when you return to work, if you can. There is no doubt that it is a challenge that requires some effort and ingenuity, but the benefits to your baby are well worth it.

Dealing with Pain and Engorgement

August 22nd, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments
Dealing with Pain and Engorgement

Especially in the early weeks of breastfeeding, you may experience swelling and tenderness of the breasts. As your milk comes in, your breasts will become engorged and full of milk, and it will take a little while for your body to regulate milk production so this doesn’t happen all the time.

Breastfeeding is supply and demand – the more your baby nurses, the more milk your body produces. In the first weeks, your body needs to figure out how much milk it needs to make in order to meet your baby’s needs. This process usually begins with a lot of milk being produced, but soon the production will settle down to the right level. In the meantime, there are some steps you can take to ease the discomfort.

Relieving Engorgement

The quickest way to relieve engorgement is to let the baby nurse. If baby is sleeping or not hungry, you can express a small amount of milk to take some of the pressure off, but use caution. Expressing too much will tell the body that the baby needs more, setting off higher levels of milk production and making the engorgement worse! The best way to express only a small amount of milk is to do it by hand, avoiding the breast pump. Try taking a warm shower and gently massaging the breasts until the milk lets down. Just the warm water and massage will ease the pain, even if no milk is released. However, if you can get a small amount of milk to come out this way, it will also take off some of the pressure.

Use warm compresses prior to nursing and cold compresses in between feedings to bring down the swelling. Using a cold compress prior to nursing will make it difficult for the milk to let down for baby. A great way to make a cold compress is to put some water in a newborn size diaper and put it in the freezer. Then, simply slip one into each side of your bra for soothing relief. Some women also use cabbage leaves as compresses to relieve engorgement.

Other Sources of Pain

Not all pain during nursing is caused by engorgement. Your nipples may become painful, red and crack or even bleed, especially as they get used to nursing. Lanolin ointments can help to relieve the dryness and cracking. Cold compresses will also help with pain. Make sure to gently clean nipples after nursing and allow them to dry before putting your bra back on to help prevent further problems.

Mastitis, a painful infection of the milk ducts, can occur anytime during breastfeeding, but is most common in the early months. It happens when a milk duct becomes clogged and it is not relieved quickly. Avoid mastitis by making sure to empty the breast completely, nursing baby on both sides equally, and dealing with any sign of a blocked duct quickly. If you notice a tender spot on the breast, a hard area where engorgement is not relieved in spite of nursing, or a general feeling of pain in the breast, you may have a blocked duct. Massage the area gently, apple heat, and allow the baby to nurse regularly to free the blockage. If you notice redness, swelling, or the pain does not go away within a few days, contact your doctor.

Some pain and discomfort during the early stages of breastfeeding is normal, and should resolve within a couple of months. With careful treatment and precautions, you can avoid most breastfeeding pain. However, don’t hesitate to call your doctor if you have continuing problems.

The Right Water for Formula Preparation

August 22nd, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments
The Right Water for Formula Preparation

There is some disagreement as to whether or not boiling the water to mix with formula is necessary. It was once generally believed to be necessary, but the recommendation has come and gone in the past few decades. Whether or not you should boil the water for your baby’s formula depends mainly on the quality of your tap water.

Fluoride in Tap Water

Fluoride is added to tap water in most locations, and while it is generally good for your teeth, too much fluoride can actually cause staining on a baby’s teeth. These white lines or spots on teeth are known as enamel fluorosis, and it occurs when baby teeth are exposed to too much fluoride while they are still in the gums. While it isn’t actually harmful to baby, the marks on the teeth can not be removed.

Boiling does not remove fluoride from tap water, so if you live in an area with a high level of fluoride in the water, you might want to consider using bottled water instead. There are some filtration systems available for home use that will remove the fluoride.

Other Problems With Tap Water

Tap water quality varies greatly from area to area. Some cities have very high quality tap water while other cities may not. Rural areas vary as to whether they receive water from a municipal source or from a well. The best thing to do when deciding whether or not to boil the water for your baby’s formula is to talk to your baby’s doctor.

If your baby has any kind of medical condition that weakens the immune system or is premature, it is a very good precaution to boil the tap water prior to using it. Babies with weakened immune systems may not be able to handle any potential bacteria found in your water source.

If you don’t plan to boil your tap water before use, you should take the precaution of running the water on cold for several minutes prior to using it to reduce levels of lead or other potential minerals contaminating the water.

How to Boil Tap Water

If your doctor recommends that you do boil the water, simply bring it to a boil on the stove top and let it cool. It isn’t necessary to let it boil for long. Before using it, let it cool, and then either use it right away or store it in sterilized bottles for future use. It should be kept in the fridge and tightly sealed to avoid recontamination.

Bottled Water

If you decide to use bottled water, use caution when selecting it. You want water that is sterile, and many bottled waters are not. Do not use spring water, which is exactly what it sounds like – water from a natural source. There is no way of knowing what could be in the water. Most other bottled waters are from the same municipal sources that provide our tap water, although they have been through further purification processes.

In order to be absolutely safe, choose water that is labeled for use in preparing formula. Many major supermarkets and also baby supply stores will carry this type of water. It is more expensive than using tap water of course, but will give you peace of mind and save you the time involved in boiling.

Getting Started with Breastfeeding

August 21st, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments
Getting Started with Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is the best thing you can possibly do for your baby to promote good health and nutrition. If you want to give it a try, you are making a great choice for your infant’s health, but it can be a bit daunting at first. It seems as though breastfeeding should be the most natural thing in the world, and many new moms are surprised and disappointed when it is difficult or challenging. Hang in there – with time, practice, and a little help, you will soon be a breastfeeding pro.

The First Feedings

If you have a normal, vaginal delivery you will likely be able to put your newborn to the breast right away, but don’t expect too much. Your baby will be very tired from the birth process and may fall asleep rather than putting too much effort into eating. Full-term babies are born with the sucking reflex, which allows them to eat whether from breast or bottle. Your baby does have the ability to suck at the breast, but may take a little time to figure out how to latch on properly.

Over the first few days of life, you will spend a lot of time practicing latching on with baby. A proper latch is the key to successful breastfeeding, so if you are experiencing trouble with it such as pain or baby coming off the breast repeatedly, ask for help. The best time to get help with early stages of breastfeeding is while you are still in the hospital. The nurses in the maternity ward can offer you a great deal of knowledge and experience. There should also be a specialist in the area of breastfeeding, called a lactation consultant, who can provide help and support if getting started is tough.

During the early feedings, baby won’t be getting large amounts of milk, but the first milk that your breasts produce is vital to baby’s good health. Colostrum, the early milk, is filled with nutrients and antibodies that will protect your baby. Although it has become common to offer a newborn formula as a supplement to the small amounts of colostrum, it isn’t really necessary. Your baby doesn’t need to eat that much in the first 24-48 hours, and the weight loss that can scare some new parents into adding formula is actually normal for newborns. So don’t worry – your baby is getting enough to eat.

Dealing with Engorgement and Pain

It will take a while for your milk supply to truly come in, probably a few days. When it does, you might experience an uncomfortable feeling of fullness in the breasts, known as engorgement. This will settle down as the baby establishes breastfeeding and your body adjusts to the amount of milk needed. There are a few ways to deal with engorgement. Some women use warm compresses to soothe the breasts. You can also express some of the milk, either with a breast pump or even by hand to release the pressure. Remember though that the more milk you express, the more your body will think is needed for the baby, so it could perpetuate engorgement.

Early on, you might experience pain, redness and even cracking of the nipples. Some of this is normal; your body is adjusting to the new process. But continued pain is not normal and often is a sign that baby is not latching on properly. If you can’t seem to get the right latch, make an appointment to see a lactation consultant, who can help you get it figured out. In the meantime, apply lanolin to soothe the nipples and make sure you dry them thoroughly after a feeding.

Breastfeeding is not always easy, but it is well worth sticking out the first weeks for the long-term health of your baby. Most women won’t have problems once it is established, but if you do, talk to your doctor and get some help.

Proper Handling of Breast Milk and Formula

August 20th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments
Proper Handling of Breast Milk and Formula

Because your baby’s system is very delicate, caution should be used when handling and preparing bottles of both breast milk and formula for your baby. Cleanliness and attention to temperature are vitally important steps in feeding your baby a safe, healthy bottle.

Handling Breast Milk

When pumping breast milk, be sure to wash everything thoroughly, including your hands before handling pump parts and bottles. Pumped breast milk can be left out at room temperature for some time, from four hours to up to 8 hours. Fresh breast milk contains the highest level of nutrition, as some compounds can be damaged by cold temperatures. If your baby will be feeding soon, it’s best to leave it out. If you aren’t planning to use pumped breast milk soon however, you should get it into the fridge immediately, or freeze it for later use. Breast milk can be kept in the fridge for up to 5 days.

While it’s normal to shake up a bottle of formula to dissolve powder into water, you should never shake breast milk. Shaking can damage the delicate molecules and affect the composition of breast milk. You will notice that the fat separates and sits on top of the milk when it is refrigerated. This is normal. The best way to recombine the fat into the milk is to wait until the milk is warmed and then gently swirl it around. This will provide enough agitation to get the fat back into the milk without damaging it.

Once you have thawed breast milk that has been frozen, you should not refreeze it. Frozen breast milk is good for about 3 months in the freezer section of your fridge, and 6 months in a deep freezer.

Handling Formula

Formula is a little different from breast milk. As long as it remains unmixed, powdered formula is good for quite a while. Check the expiration date on the can to know how long it will be ok unopened – an open can is good for about a month. Once mixed, however, formula has a shorter shelf life. A bottle of mixed formula should not be left out at room temperature for longer than an hour, and should be discarded after 48 hours in the fridge.

Always mix formula according to the manufacturers directions. Formula should not be diluted with extra water. The best choice for mixing formula is water that has been boiled and then cooled.

Tips for Bottle Feeding

Whether the bottle contains formula or breast milk, you should always discard what is left in the bottle after feeding. Bacteria can get into the bottle from baby’s mouth and cause the leftover liquid to go bad, so don’t save it for a later feeding.

Bottles should be warmed carefully using a bottle warmer or warm water. Never microwave a bottle as it can create dangerous hot spots in the liquid and lead to burns. Microwaving breast milk can also damage its composition. Don’t forget to test the temperature of the liquid inside the bottle – feeling the outside of the bottle is not an accurate measure of how hot the breast milk or formula inside might be.

Make sure that the bottles and nipples are clean and sterile before adding the breast milk or formula, and wash everything in clean soapy water after use. If you dump the leftovers immediately after a feeding, the likelihood of it being fed to baby by accident will be lessened. Also, you can wash the bottle immediately before the contents can start to go bad.

DHA and ARA in Infant Formula

August 19th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments
DHA and ARA in Infant Formula

In recent years there has been a great deal of talk about the importance of certain fatty acids known as DHA and ARA. These fatty acids are found naturally in breast milk, and can be made by the body from other fatty acids in the diet. They are believed to be essential for proper eye and brain development in babies, and a synthetic version is now added to nearly every baby formula on the market.

What are DHA and ARA?

DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid) are polyunsaturated fatty acids that are naturally found in some foods such as fish and eggs, as well as in breast milk. Also called lipids, these are essential to the body, and are known to be present in large quantities in the eyes and brains of newborn babies.

What are the Benefits of DHA and ARA?

These fatty acids are part of a group of fats known as Omega-3’s, which are considered to be the healthiest fats for the human body. Omega-3’s have been connected with a reduction in heart disease in adults. The evidence for the benefits of adding these substances to infant formula is mixed. Some studies suggest that the additives can have a short-term positive impact on visual and neural development. Because these additives are fairly new, however, there is not much in the way of long-term evidence of benefits to baby.

DHA and ARA in Formula

Because breast milk contains natural DHA and ARA, and babies who are breast fed have higher levels of the important lipids in their systems, formula manufacturers have started adding the synthetic forms of DHA and ARA to their products. Although they claim this makes their formula a lot closer to breast milk, it is important to recognize that the versions of the fatty acids being added to formula are not the same as the natural version found in breast milk.

Until more research is done, it is difficult to say whether or not these additives are beneficial or even safe. There is some concern that the synthetic versions of fatty acids could cause some side effects. The FDA has approved these additives for use in infant formulas, however, and at this time almost all formulas do contain them.

Although formulas already contain other fats that the body can use to create DHA and ARA, they will not reach the same levels as breastfed babies. Adding the synthetic version of the lipids brings the levels of DHA and ARA in a formula fed baby up to a level nearly on par with a baby who receives them through breast milk.

The bottom line: if you are really concerned about the DHA and ARA your baby needs, the best choice is to breast feed, as your baby will receive the natural version of the fats that is the same as those the body produces. If it isn’t possible, then infant formulas fortified with fatty acids are a good alternative. Until much more research is done, however, it is impossible to know for sure that these additives are providing any real long-term benefit to babies.

If you would prefer to feed your baby a formula that does not contain DHA and ARA additives, there are some still available, but you might pay more for them. Discuss the benefits and possible risks of the options with your baby’s doctor in order to make an informed decision.

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