A Formula for Feeding Your Baby

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.