Breast milk is the gold standard of nutrition for babies, but if you go the formula route, then there are a few things to know about all those formulas. Soy, hypoallergenic, lactose-free, organic, powder, premixed and more supplements than you can keep track of - the formula shelves at the grocery store can be mind-boggling for new moms. Your pediatrician will be most familiar with your child's specific nutritional needs, so it's best to ask her before buying. If you prefer to feed your child vegetarian foods or there's a lactose allergy to consider, then you might want to try a soy formula. If the baby is gassy, fussy, frequently spits up or has diarrhea, then a milk-based formula may be to blame. Then again, many babies have the same trouble with soy, so a hypoallergenic formula may be in order; these are more expensive and may not taste as good, however.
Organic formulas don't have any particular advantages over conventional formulas, other than preference - and you will pay extra for these formulas. If your water supply is questionable or you worry about the water at your child's daycare, then you might want to opt for premixed formulas, which simply need to be poured into the bottle and heated. Regardless of which you choose, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends an iron-fortified version. An iron deficiency can cause anemia and motor and mental impairment. Other supplements to consider are DHA and ARA, two important fatty acids that are present in breast milk and help the brain, eyes and nervous system develop normally. These formulas are well worth the extra money they cost.