The ingredients found in organic baby formula and their benefits for a baby’s health

You’re a mother that wants the best for her baby. And that means feeding your baby the best formula there is. As a mother, you aim to ensure your baby gets the proper nutrition to grow mentally and physically strong.

Ideally, breast milk will always be the best option. But this is not possible for many mothers. If you can’t breastfeed your baby, you’ll most likely be looking for a substitute that provides the necessary nutrition your baby needs. But the market is flooded with options, and it can feel pretty daunting to select the right formula.

Information is key. The more information you have, the better you’re able to make an informed decision about which formula will best meet the needs of your growing baby. The good news is that there are strict guidelines imposed by the EU on manufacturers regarding the nutritional content of infant formula.

The Food and Drug Administration regulates the infant formula industry in the US, while in the EU, this role is fulfilled by the European Commission.

This article will review the ingredients you’ll find in organic baby formula and which ingredients aren’t found in this type of formula.

Organic Baby Formula Ingredients

Regular baby formula has additional ingredients that aren’t considered to be healthy for your baby’s growth and development. There’s a lot of debate about whether these additional artificial ingredients stunt growth and development. Organic formula is made using only organic ingredients. The ingredients are all-natural or derived from natural sources. Here’s the good news! All the plant and animal products you’ll find in any organic formula are natural.

You won’t find any of these ingredients in the organic formula:

• Pesticide residue
• Synthetic chemicals
• Toxic substances
• Growth hormones
• Preservatives
• Genetically modified organisms

The following ingredients are found in the organic formula:

• Prebiotics
• Probiotics
• Docosahexaenoic acid
• Arachidonic acid
• Whey Protein
• Lactose

Prebiotics and probiotics might sound the same, but they’re not. Here’s a simple breakdown. The former helps the latter to develop and grow. The former is not digested, while the latter is. And they’re both long-chain fatty acids. So what’s their role, and why does your baby need them? Well, your baby needs to be able to digest the formula. And, in order to do this, they’ll need enough of the good bacteria [probiotics] in their gut to help move everything along.

Docosahexaenoic acid and Arachidonic acid are both long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. Docosahexaenoic acid helps to develop your baby’s eyes and brain. Arachidonic acid fights inflammation in your baby.

Lactose is a carbohydrate found naturally in breast milk. You’ll find lactose in the organic formula as well.

Another ingredient you’ll find in organic baby formula is palm oil.

Is organic baby formula good for babies?

All mommies-to-be have wondered about this question at some point! After all, the best option is breastfeeding, but what if you can’t breastfeed? What’s the next best thing for your bundle of joy?

The most important factor to take into consideration is that organic formula contains all-natural ingredients and all the nutrients your baby needs!

So, if you’re wondering whether any GMOs, preservatives, hormones, or antibiotics are present in your baby’s organic formula, the answer is no.

Nothing! There aren’t any in the organic formula! Hooray!

So how does the standard differ from organic formulas? It’s simple! The ingredients list. The former contains additional artificial ingredients, and the latter does not. When you pick the right one, you won’t have to worry about any artificial ingredients in your baby’s formula. Phew! What a relief, right? One less thing for you to worry about!

How to choose the right organic infant formula

Aha! These are the right questions to ask! The label will tell you what type of protein is in the formula. It’s the protein that makes sure your baby is able to digest the formula, which, by the way, also ensures that your baby gets the right balance of nutrients. This is what you can expect.

Protein sources might include whey protein, cow’s milk, or plant-based such as almond butter or soy protein. But alas! How to choose the right one? You’ll need to consider any allergies or intolerances. Some formulas are specifically designed to cater to babies with intolerances or allergies.

Another question to ask is the source of carbohydrates. Are they sourced from natural ingredients such as lactose? Or from artificial sweeteners that have been added?

The baby formula generally contains certain fats. Natural fats such as vegetable oil are best. Breast milk contains fatty acids, and vegetable oil mimics these healthy fats. Your baby needs these fats because that’s where they get their energy from.

So the key takeaway from this is that you should look for products that are made by reputable manufacturers. It’s always best to opt for a formula that’s been made with organic ingredients because our bodies, and especially those of small babies, aren’t designed to digest anything artificial. Every country has a regulatory body for this industry. Check to see if the product adheres to the requirements set out by their specific regulatory body.