Breast milk and infant formula: What are your options?

Have you made the choice to breastfeed your baby? Or are you feeding your baby formula instead? Here are some answers to questions you may have in mind!

BREAST MILK, COMPLETE AND OPTIMAL FOR YOUR BABY

Breast milk is currently recognized as the milk of choice for infants. Here is why:

• Breast milk contains all the essential nutrients babies need (except vitamin D).
• The composition of breast milk adapts to baby’s needs (it changes during a feeding and throughout the day).
• It is easily digestible.
• It is always ready.
• Its components regulate energy metabolism and promote the development of the digestive and immune systems (breast milk contains antibodies that babies require for protection against infections, viruses, parasites and allergies).

While breastfeeding is a natural process, it does not always come easily. It is a skill that needs to be learned, and both mother and child generally require a period of adjustment. During that time, support from an outside source (e.g. a nurse, breastfeeding coach, lactation specialist, pediatrician), may be useful. Ask the staff at your CLSC: they should have a list of resources available in your community.

INFANT FORMULA: AN ALTERNATIVE TO BREASTFEEDING

To begin, please know that commercial infant formulas are tailored to your baby's basic needs. They are a safe substitute for breast milk, when properly prepared. They can be used alone or in combination with mixed breastfeeding, for example.

You’ll find a wide range of infant formulas available today. Here is an overview of products you’ll find on store shelves.

Standard Infant Formulas

Infant formulas are usually made from cow's milk proteins, but their composition is specially adapted to cow's milk, making it suitable for most babies.

Some formulas are made more digestible and less allergenic due to the complete or partial hydrolysis of the cow's milk proteins they contain. This may be recommended to you by your healthcare provider if your baby is allergic, or at high risk of developing an allergy.

Soy formulas can also be used by families who want to avoid products diverted from cow's milk. Soy formula is not necessarily a solution for babies with cow's milk protein allergies, as milk and soy allergies often coexist.

Standard infant formulas come in three forms:

• Powder (mixing powdered formula requires special care, since the risk of contamination is greater; that is why it is not recommended for premature babies, whose immune systems are weaker);
• Concentrate (liquid; simply dilute the mixture with boiled water);
• Ready-to-use formula (a very convenient, but relatively expensive formula).

Iron, the most important nutrient in formula

According to The Canadian Pediatric Society, Dietitians of Canada and Health Canada, it’s recommended to feed iron-fortified infant formula to babies who are not breastfed only up until they are 9 to 12 months of age.

The amount of iron in a preparation varies from one to three times. Check the Nutritional Facts table and look for at least 1 mg of iron per 100 ml per serving of reconstituted formula to meet your baby's iron needs.

Good to know!
Cow's milk is not suitable for infants under 9 months of age. It contains too much protein and minerals and not enough lactose, linoleic acid, vitamins, copper, magnesium or iron.

Other Add-ons & Supplements

Several formulas offer additional supplements aside from the regular ingredient list, such as: DHA, Lutein, Antioxidants, Probiotics, Galacto-oligosaccharides, Nucleotides, Omega-3. These do not have any additional benefit for your baby.

Specialized preparations

There are also formulas designed to meet the special needs of babies with allergies, low weight or other health problems. Seek personalized advice from a healthcare professional (nutritionist, doctor, specialized nurse, etc.) to see if your baby could benefit from using this type of formula.

CHANGE YOUR PREPARATION

The different brands available on the market are equivalent in terms of quality. The majority of babies can tolerate a change in the type of formula they feed. However, it may take some adjustment, especially during the first few days. Pay attention to baby's reactions and avoid change if possible.

Pharmacy services

Need advice about breastfeeding or infant formulas? Consult your pharmacist for expert advice!