After giving birth and getting adjusted to your newborn for a couple of days, you’re suddenly overwhelmed with the decision-making process that comes with being a mom: Am I going to breastfeed or formula feed? What type of formula should I give my child? Should I choose a formula with whole milk or skim milk?
And while trying to muddle through the complexities of infant formula can be quite challenging, Stephanie Hof, a pediatric dietitian and US health care manager for Kendamil, spoke with Mom.com to clarify a few things about the differences in infant formula.
What are the components of infant formula?
Does the quality of the milk source matter?
Yes! The treatment and diet of an animal affect the quality of the milk it produces. Formula brands that source from grass-fed cows produce better milk.
Not only is grass-fed milk a lot sweeter, but it’s higher in omega-3 fatty acids, beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin K2, and vitamin E. Plus, grass-fed milk also contains more conjugated linoleic acid, a heart-healthy fatty acid.
What are the benefits of whole milk?
Using whole milk in infant formula provides a sufficient and important source of fat, whereas if skim milk or nonfat milk is used, you’ll likely see 100% vegetable oils for the fat source in formula recipes.
There are also a number of naturally occurring nutrients that are retained by using whole milk rather than just skimmed milk powder. Cow's milk contains naturally occurring milk fat globule membranes, a complex mixture of fats and proteins that forms a protective layer around the fat globules in milk. It is uniquely found in mammalian milk, including breastmilk, and it can be retained in baby formula by using whole milk.
Recent evidence suggests that MFGM may support infant health by supporting cognition, immune support, and a healthy gut microbiota. On top of all this, using whole milk gives baby milk a creamier texture and richer flavor.
