baby formula question
Posted by okprairiemom on Aug 30, 2008 · Member since Jul 2008 · 8 posts
I am wondering if sweeteners are necessary in baby formula. If a recipe for homemade formula calls for corn syrup or other sweetener, can it be left out? Or can you substitute something better than the syrup-type sweeteners?
Okprairiemom
I guess it could be left out, but I've tasted formulas w/out sweetener, and it's nasty. You could use agave, and even though you probably already know this, and if you're vegan it doesn't even apply to you, but NEVER give honey to babies.
I don't think babies need any sweetener. I would leave it out and see how the baby reacts to it. What are you using as the main ingredients? If you must sweeten it I think agave would be a good choice as pink mentioned. Is breastfeeding out of the question..or pumping and feeding from a bottle?
I don't think babies need any sweetener. I would leave it out and see how the baby reacts to it.
I agree with her. older children and adults tend to like things sweeter, because we've got used to it. But i wouldnt add any at all for baby formula. If you make the formula sweet, chances are your child have a really hard time eating veggies later and other foods that arent nessesarily sweet. (like they say to introduce veggies before fruits or the child might refuse veggies if you do it in the reverse order because it wont taste as sweet).
I dont know if your making your formula because you want to make it yourself or if it's because you cant find what your looking for in stores, but I know there are formulas that are soy based and for kids of veg*n parents.
Here's a link for a soy formula by Nestle that I found. The ingredients are listed in the page too:
http://www.nestle-baby.ca/en/products/formula/starter/Nestle_Alsoy.htm
Hope everything works out!
I would say talk to your pediatrician.....The sugars may be there as a replacement for the natural sugars found in breast milk, thus an important part for the child's digestive and developmental needs. Breast milk is sweet after all, and it would make sense that the formula would then be sweet as well.
I would say talk to your pediatrician.....The sugars may be there as a replacement for the natural sugars found in breast milk, thus an important part for the child's digestive and developmental needs. Breast milk is sweet after all, and it would make sense that the formula would then be sweet as well.
yeah, that is why I asked what the other ingredients were. If there was a more acceptable carb... rice or oats maybe.
They use to make homemade formula by mixing canned milk with water and corn syrup. :o
eta: I found this online....
Question:
What would be a suitable homemade recipe of soy-based infant formula that I could use when I can't breastfeed my child? (commercial formulas include corn syrup as second ingredient!
Answer:
In short, there is no acceptable homemade infant formula, and it would absolutely dangerous to try and meet a baby's needs with something cooked up in the kitchen. It sounds as if you do plan to breastfeed some of the time--congratulations! As an informed parent you are making the very best health decision for your new child. Breastfeeding is just that: a health decision, not a parenting choice. Even commercially prepared formulas, which are made as closely as possible to resemble breastmilk, have light years to go in duplicating this amazing substance. I strongly suggest that you consider pumping and storing breastmilk for those times when you must be away from your baby. Your local La Leche League leader or lactation consultant can help you learn how to become a pump expert and advise you on the type of pump you should buy or rent for your needs.
As you mentioned, there is no entirely vegan formula. In addition to corn syrup, soy-based formulas contain vitamin D derived from lanolin. Others may contain animal-derived fats. Furthermore, in the U.S. there is no formula available with DHA, a substance that is added to formula in other countries. DHA is thought to have very important properties for the brain development of infants. Naturally, breastmilk contains DHA. If you absolutely must rely on infant formula, choose a commercially-prepared soy-based formula, provided that your infant doesn't have a soy allergy. It will at least be balanced in the majority of nutrients that your growing child needs.
I would say talk to your pediatrician.....The sugars may be there as a replacement for the natural sugars found in breast milk, thus an important part for the child's digestive and developmental needs. Breast milk is sweet after all, and it would make sense that the formula would then be sweet as well.
I totally didnt think about the natural sugars that would be found in breastmilk. Makes total sense. Yeah, definately talk to your Dr. to be safe.
Breastmilk is pretty sweet, and babies are naturally attracted to sweet/sugary things. I personally don't know how comfortable I would be preparing my own baby formula, but if one was replicating breastmilk, it would make sense to include a lot of sugar.
Have you read The China Study? It's really got some good info on why you should breast feed versus formula
Maybe she is adopting or can't breastfeed for some reason (going back to work full time). I tried pumping when I went back to work full time 7 years ago and it did not work for me. I had to supplement with formula. I'm sure she knows that breastfeeding is far superior to formula, but sometimes breastfeeding exclusively is not possible.
I understand that there are other factors. Regardless if she breastfeeds or not, the book gives you so much valuable info on how to start a babies life in the right way.
I understand that there are other factors. Regardless if she breastfeeds or not, the book gives you so much valuable info on how to start a babies life in the right way.
agreed! I recommend that book to tons of people, but no one I know has actually read it :-\
I read the China Study because it was recommended on here, and it convinced me to go vegan (tho I'm not as strict as some), so maybe somone took your advice after all!
And, my (very omni) Mom is trying to read it, and is doing her best to modify her diet. And, my DH read it (audiobook - which is more convenient), and is reducing his meat consumption, too!
On the baby formula issue, I wouldn't make my own. There was a case in the 80's of a commercial company who got their recipe a little wrong, and babies were brain damaged as a result (I knew one of the parents involved). I had to supplement for my little one (despite nursing for 2 years, and putting in lots of effort), and I was just too cautious to even use a store brand during the first year