On this page:

• What the ads don't make clear about toddler milk
• Toddler milk vs cow's milk
• The trouble with toddler milks
• How to gauge your child's eating
• Infant formula marketing loophole
• Infant and toddler milk label explainer

Even if you’re not in that demographic, you may still have encountered ads for toddler and junior milks on mainstream TV. You know the ones we mean – images of cherubic, bright-eyed toddlers happily exploring the world around them with a tin of branded milk powder visible in the foreground. 

The marketing of these products make it abundantly clear that they contain a range of essential nutrients – vitamins, minerals, often probiotics and prebiotics as well – which support a toddler’s cognitive development, immune system, digestive function, and growth and development. But the ads aren’t providing the full picture.

What the ads don’t make clear about toddler milk

There are a couple of key details that are either relegated to the small print and easily missed by busy parents, or that are fairly ambiguous in toddler milk marketing. 

The first is that toddler milks should only be supplementary to a varied diet when energy and nutrient intakes may not be adequate. 

But for parents just wanting the best for their toddlers, whose eating at this age can be picky, patchy and inconsistent to say the least, these products can come across as the best way to ensure optimal nutrition.

The second is that they’re often higher in sugar and lower in protein and calcium than regular cow’s milk, which is the recommended follow-on drink from breast milk (or infant formula) for children from the age of 12 months. 

The kicker? They’re also quite a bit more expensive than regular cow’s milk.

Toddler milk vs cow’s milk

We looked at the content of more than 30 toddler (1+ years) and junior (3+ years) milk products that you can buy from major retailers including Coles, Woolworths and Big W, and compared them to regular fresh cow’s milk. The recommended serve size of individual brands and products varies, but the average is 200mL so we’ve used this measure for the purpose of comparison.

Across the products, a 200mL serve contained on average 14g sugar, and as much as 17.8g. A 200mL serve of regular cow’s milk contains 9.5g of sugar.

On average, toddler milks contain 4.4g protein per 200mL, where the same amount of cow’s milk contains 6.8g. 

And they contain 213mg calcium per 200mL serve on average, compared with 238mg in cow’s milk.

Crunching the numbers

Tubs of toddler and junior milk powder (usually 800–900g) can cost up to $43 a pop. A 200mL serve costs $1 on average, and as much as $1.56, whereas you’ll spend just 27 cents on 200mL of regular cow’s milk.

Most suggest giving your toddler one to two serves a day, although a handful suggest up to four serves. Following individual product serve size recommendations, the toddler milks we looked at cost on average $2.20 a day. If drunk daily, this amounts to about $67 a month. 

In just one month, the most expensive ($3.52 a day) could set you back $107 – that’s about $1285 a year.

The trouble with toddler milks

If you’re worried because your toddler doesn’t seem to be putting on enough weight, or that they’re missing out on vital nutrients because they’re a picky eater, or that they’re always too busy playing and exploring to want to eat, giving them a specially formulated toddler or junior milk might seem a reasonable solution – particularly if they enjoy drinking them.

But there are a few reasons why toddler milks are problematic.

1. Sugar creep

Infants under 12 months who are unable to be breastfed need specially developed infant formulas, which are fortified and nutritionally adequate. But after 12 months of age, it’s considered appropriate to move on to plain cow’s milk along with regular family foods. 

However, companies that make infant milk formula had other ideas. Enter toddler milk, the marketed substitute for breastmilk when your child is considered too old for infant formula, and a product that’s positioned as a suitable, or even preferable, alternative to cow’s milk – at least up to the age of three.

But according to Dheepa Jeyapalan, Manager of VicHealth’s Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems team, one of the main problems with toddler milks is that they’re less nutritious than cow’s milk.

“Toddler milk drinks have less protein than cow’s milk. Many also have less calcium,” she says.

The amount of sugar they contain is of particular concern.

“A 2020 VicHealth and Deakin University study found that toddlers would consume around 240g more sugar, about 60 extra teaspoons of sugar, over a month if they drank toddler milk daily compared with regular cow’s milk.”

ÌÇÐÄVlog’s research produced similarly alarming findings. A toddler can get as much as 40.8g of sugar a day from toddler milk drinks alone if following suggested servings. That’s 1240g (1.24kg) – or 310 teaspoons – of sugar a month.

2. Displacing whole foods

Accredited practicing dietitian Natasha Schilling told us that toddler milks can also displace whole foods in a child’s diet, which is problematic.

“Sometimes parents, concerned that their child isn’t eating enough, can fall into a trap of thinking ‘at least they’re getting something if they’re having a formula drink’.” 

The issue with this, she says, is that they fill up on the drink and no longer have space for – or interest in – whole foods.

“This can cause problems with oral skills as they are spending less time chewing, moving their tongue around the mouth, getting familiar with different textures and so on.” 

Displacing food with milk, even if it’s fortified, can also lead to nutritional deficiencies.

“Nutrients aren’t so readily absorbed by the body from a supplemented milk drink. It’s much better to get vitamins and minerals from whole food,” says Schilling.

“I recommend limiting the amount of milk drinks you give toddlers to 500mL a day so that they don’t displace whole foods, and always offer food first to increase the likelihood of them eating,” she says.

3. Cost

Toddler milk sales in Australia saw a 12% value growth in 2020, worth $375 million, according to market research group Euromonitor.

If your toddler is drinking toddler milk daily, it can add as much as $107 a month to your grocery bill (depending on the brand). This is not an insignificant amount for most, and for some it can have a noticeable financial impact.

“Toddler milks are being framed as essential to growth and development, when they’re not,” says Jeyapalan.

“What we’re finding is that the marketing of toddler milks is negatively affecting people who are already facing greater barriers – whether that be lower health literacy, language barriers, or others. They’re picking up these products thinking their kids need them, and paying four times the price of regular fresh milk which can often be more nutritious,” she says.

It’s the equity issues that worry Jeyapalan most. 

“Who’s impacted by the lack of regulation around toddler milk marketing? People who are already struggling, of course,” she says.

How to gauge your child’s eating

In Schilling’s experience, one of the main reasons parents start giving their toddler these specially formulated milk drinks is because they’re concerned that their child isn’t eating enough. But this smaller appetite is usually completely normal.

“Toddlers often eat less than what they did as babies, because they’re growing at a slower rate. And this apparent loss of appetite can be worrying for parents, who think they need to top them up,” she explains.

But toddlers are usually pretty good at moderating how much they eat, according to Schilling, and she suggests remembering the mantra: “Parents decide what food and when. Kids decide if they’ll eat and how much.”

The example she gives is to offer two or three different foods at morning tea – a starchy food, a fat, a protein, for example, with various colours and textures. Then even if they choose to have just a small bite of each, they’re getting a variety of tastes and nutrients. 

“Little kids will have hungry days when you can’t fill them up, and not so hungry days when they’re eating like a bird. And that’s OK.”

The key, Schilling says, is to look at your child’s food intake over time – days or weeks – rather than just at individual meals. 

“It can be good to write down what they eat over a whole week, and average it out. You might see hungry days, and less hungry days. They might be eating really well at childcare but less at home. As long as they’re tracking along percentile curves in the growth charts of your infant health record, there’s no need to supplement their diet with special toddler milk drinks.”

But if you still have concerns, make an appointment with an accredited practicing dietitian or talk to your GP.

“Slow growth or low weight may be an indication of other issues which have resulted in a child’s general diet becoming nutritionally inadequate. Specialised supplements might be necessary, but this kind of dietary intervention needs to be done under medical supervision,” Schilling advises.

Infant formula marketing loophole

In Australia, companies are prohibited from advertising infant formula under the voluntary and self-regulated industry ‘Marketing in Australia of Infant Formula: Manufacturers and Importers Agreement’ (MAIF agreement).

The MAIF agreement is Australia’s implementation of a World Health Organization (WHO) code which restricts the marketing of breastmilk substitutes (i.e. infant formula). But while the scope of the WHO code includes toddler milks, the Australian version – which was recently reauthorised by the ACCC – doesn’t.

This means that companies that sell infant formula are unable to market their products in Australia, but they can market their toddler milks that have the same branding. 

“Essentially this is undermining Australia’s MAIF agreement which is meant to protect families from infant formula marketing. Toddler milk marketing acts as proxy advertising for the same brand of infant milk, and is a sneaky way for infant milk companies to create brand recognition and awareness,” says Jeyapalan.

“Numerous studies have shown that consumers do not differentiate between these toddler milks and infant formula, meaning the MAIF agreement doesn’t achieve what it sets out to. VicHealth would like to see higher standards introduced that will hold these companies accountable,” she adds.

Product lines designed to capture all infant stages

Not only does toddler milk marketing create brand awareness for its corresponding infant formula, but the diversification of the product range into a series of stages (stage 1, 2, 3 and sometimes 4) encourages families to continue buying the brand from their child’s birth to beyond 3 years of age in some cases.

“Parents often ask me if it’s necessary to move through the stages, which seems a logical progression when the products are marketed that way,” says Schilling.

“I usually recommend that babies drinking infant formula don’t progress from stage 1, and instead move on to drinking cow’s milk from 12 months and eat family food (cut up into appropriate sizes and portions).”

A federal government review of the effectiveness of the agreement was due to take place at the end of 2021, but results have yet to be made public.

Infant and toddler milk label explainer

What’s the difference between infant formula, toddler milk and junior milk?

Infant formula is a specially developed infant milk which is fortified and nutritionally adequate as a replacement for breast milk. Within brands it may be differentiated into two products labelled stage 1 (usually 0–6 months) and stage 2 (6–12 months), although both are usually similar in nutrient profile.

Toddler milk, sometimes known as follow-on formula, is a milk drink fortified with vitamins, minerals and sometimes pre- and probiotics. Within brands, and depending on how diversified their child milk drink range is, it’s usually labeled as stage 3 (12+ months).

Junior milk, usually labeled as stage 4 (2+ years or 3+ years, depending on the brand). It’s a very similar product to toddler milk, but with slightly more protein, calcium and sugars on average.

The post Does your child need toddler milks? appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

Jane Martin, executive manager of the Obesity Policy Coalition, explains why added sugar labelling would help parents make informed decisions on what foods to give their children.

Australians consume too much added sugar and our toddlers are no different, with nearly a third of their daily energy intake coming from processed, unhealthy foods, including many which are high in added sugar.

Eating too much added sugar in processed foods contributes to excessive weight gain and obesity. Increases in the availability and consumption of processed foods by children mean that we’re seeing the sharpest increase in obesity among very young children, with children aged two to five now twice as likely to be obese as they were 20 years ago. 

In young children, regularly eating sweetened packaged foods can affect taste preferences, which is one of the reasons why Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend we limit sweet foods for young children. 

But the majority of toddler snack products contain sugar – even when they are savoury.

Industry tactics

Food companies use sophisticated marketing tactics and have convinced governments to trust them to police themselves. It can therefore be confusing and difficult for busy parents to choose healthy options for their toddler.  

This was highlighted by the Federal Court’s decision in August 2018 to fine Heinz $2.25m over the misleading marketing of their Little Kids Shredz products, that were up to 68% sugar. in the court case show how the packaging was updated to create the image of a healthy and nutritious snack that would appeal to parents of toddlers.

We are seeing more and more packaged products seeking to capitalise on time-poor parents looking for a convenient option on supermarket shelves. Many products are dressed up to appear healthy, but trying to find a healthy option means relying on the advice on labels and packaging. 

When labels boast “99% fruit and veg”, and obscure the fact that they are actually high in sugar, who can blame anyone for choosing such products for their kids?

Toddler products laden with added sugar

We surveyed 57 toddler snack products in major supermarkets to highlight just how pervasive added sugar is. Nearly half the products surveyed contained over 25% sugar, with up to six different sweet ingredients contributing to the total sugar content. 

Many of the sweet ingredients (such as fruit juice, fruit juice concentrate and fruit pastes) had been derived from fruit, which is still added sugar as far as its effects on health are concerned. However, under current labelling rules it’s impossible to tell what is added sugar and what is naturally occurring, such as in whole fruit.

Food manufacturers know that people associate the word ‘fruit’ with health. Many take advantage of this, plastering it over packaging, and we’re seeing this trend more frequently on products aimed at toddlers. 

The reality is that a lot of these products contain highly processed fruit products, the processing of which results in an ingredient high in sugar and low in fibre and other nutrients, such as juices and fruit concentrates. These products are often significantly modified and do not reflect the nutrition content or fibre benefits of the whole fruit from which they were derived.

Parents deserve to know what’s really in the products they’re feeding their kids. Currently, that is hard to find as added sugars are not grouped together on the ingredients list or listed separately on the nutrition information panel. With 60+ different names for sugar, even the ingredients list can’t always be relied upon to help parents make an informed choice.

Added sugar labelling to help inform parents  

With food ministers meeting in early November, we want them to use this as an opportunity to make added sugar labelling mandatory and help not just parents, but all consumers.

Some small changes to the way added sugar is represented could make a big difference:

• The amount of added sugar should be shown separately from naturally occurring sugars in milk, yoghurt and unprocessed fruit in the ingredients list and on the nutrition information panel.
• We must ensure the definition of added sugar captures sugar from highly processed fruit ingredients such as fruit juice, fruit paste and fruit juice concentrates.

We know that adequate food labelling on packaged foods can help inform people’s purchasing habits, and also have a positive impact on reducing obesity rates. We owe it to our youngest Australians to give them the healthiest start in life. 

The post Op ed: ‘Too much added sugar in toddler foods’ appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• Sweet ingredients found in infant and toddler foods
• Why is fruit puree bad for infants and toddlers?
• Vegetable products still contain fruit puree
• Food-maker ignoring labelling requirement
• How to buy healthier packaged infant and toddler food
• Why we need stronger added sugar labelling 

But the reality is that pre-packaged infant and toddler foods are a convenient option when you’re time poor, travelling, or just can’t face another night of cooking. And on the face of it, they often appear to be healthy and full of goodness. 

But a recent study has found many of these products contain significant amounts of sweet ingredients, which can have negative long-term effects on children.

Sweet ingredients found in infant and toddler foods

Cancer Council Victoria analysed 255 infant and toddler food products (excluding formula) available from Aldi, Coles and Woolworths. Almost half of them (116) were found to include fruit puree, with many also including other concentrated or processed forms of fruit such as:

• fruit paste
• dried fruit powder
• fruit juice
• fruit juice concentrate
• dried fruit
• fruit gel.

The study also found that 13 of the infant foods (for babies up to 12 months’ of age) contained either sugar or cane sugar, with two products containing other added sugars such as glucose or syrup. 

Of the toddler foods, 27 products contained one or more combinations of sugar, cane sugar, coconut sugar, dried yoghurt or other sugars (such as glucose or syrup).

Some of these foods are even being marketed as suitable for babies as young as four months. Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend that infants need breastmilk or formula as their main food until six months of age.

Why is fruit puree bad for infants and toddlers?

At a glance, you might assume the presence of fruit or fruit puree in these products means they’re good for kids. 

But if infants and toddlers are given these foods on a regular basis, they may end up eating too much fruit and not enough other nutrient-rich foods, such as vegetables and foods that contain iron. 

Being exposed only to sweet-tasting foods may also affect children’s taste preferences as they grow older. 

“These are formative years in terms of taste preferences, so giving children these sweet foods will make them want more,” says Alison McAleese, healthy lifestyles campaign manager at Cancer Council Victoria. “And eating these products on a regular basis isn’t going to give them the nutrition that they need.”

Nutrition expert Dr Rosemary Stanton agrees.

“Young children have high needs for nutrients to provide for growth and if they consume these products, they have less ‘room’ for healthy foods as their tummies are small,” she says.

“Almost every young child instinctively likes sweet foods (the lactose in breastmilk makes it quite sweet), but if they are constantly given sweet foods, they will not learn to appreciate (and like) the flavours of foods that are not sweet.” 

And preferencing unhealthy food choices over nutrient-rich options can lead to long-term health consequences such as obesity, tooth decay and iron deficiency.

The recommends a  wide range of nutritious foods from all five food groups for healthy development in toddlers and babies aged six months and older.

Vegetable products still contain fruit puree

The study also found that some products may appear to be savoury, but contain fruit or fruit puree. For example, Heinz Pumpkin, Corn, Chicken and Rice also includes six percent apple, while Bellamy’s Organic spring vegetable macaroni includes seven percent apple puree.

“Parents know that it can be challenging to give their kids savoury foods, so these are an attractive option,” says McAleese. “But there’s more fruit in these products than most people realise, which is again helping children preference this sweet taste.”

“The use of fruit purees or concentrated fruit in any form is just another way of giving kids sugar,” says Stanton. “Why add sweet flavour to savoury foods? Parents need to know that concentrated fruit is almost always just a form of sugar. Regular sugar is just concentrated cane juice!”

Food-maker ignoring labelling requirement

Although the presence of these sweet ingredients (whether sugar or a fruit puree) may be unnecessary, it doesn’t contradict the Australian Food Standards Code. However, according to the code, food for infants (‘infant’ meaning a person under 12 months of age) must be labelled as “sweetened” if the added sugar content is more than 4g per 100g.

Yet the Cancer Council found that the infant product with the highest amount of sugar – Keep it Cleaner Bambini Bars, Oats and Superberry 10+ months, with a whopping 40.4g per 100g – didn’t state ‘sweetened’ on the packaging.

Products marketed to children aged 12 months and over don’t have to comply with this standard.

How to buy healthier packaged infant and toddler food

If you do decide to buy one of these products, Stanton recommends parents read the ingredients list. “There should be no added sugars (including fruit juice or fruit juice concentrate) or salt,” she says.

McAleese also stresses the importance of reading the ingredients list. 

“Parents should be aware that the front of the pack doesn’t always tell the whole story,” she says. 

Stanton also advises against giving your child food in a squeeze pouch as it means the child is fed quickly, which doesn’t give the stomach time to signal to the brain that it’s full. 

“Fast feeding can destroy an infant’s natural ability to ‘play’ with food (experiencing its texture as well as its flavour) and get it into their mouth quite slowly,” she says. 

“Their natural inclinations to touch food and put it into their mouth ensures they don’t over-consume food. Squeeze pouches also make it easier for parents to feed young infants at a time when they do not need these foods.”

Why we need stronger added sugar labelling 

Reading food labels is the best way to know how healthy a product is for young children and the entire family. 

Unfortunately, it’s not always that easy because Australia doesn’t regulate labelling of added sugar. 

Currently, nutrition information panels only list the amount of total sugar in a product, instead of differentiating between naturally occuring intrinsic sugars (nutrient-rich foods such as milk and intact fruit and vegetables) and added sugars with little or no beneficial nutrients. 

This means the current Health Star Rating system treats two products with 20g total sugar the same, even if one product contains 99% added sugar while the other contains mostly intrinsic sugar.  

It’s important that children of all ages eat a healthy, well-balanced diet and Health Star Ratings can help with this. That’s why ÌÇÐÄVlog is lobbying for changes to the way added sugars are labelled on foods. 

“Clear, transparent food labelling is extremely important in helping people differentiate between healthy and unhealthy foods,” says Linda Przhedetsky, ÌÇÐÄVlog policy and campaigns adviser.

“We see too many products laden with added sugar that is hiding under a range of names, and it’s incredible confusing. The system needs to change.”

Thanks to the work already done by ÌÇÐÄVlog and other organisations, the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation has shown support for added sugar labelling on nutrition information panels. 

But with no timeline in place, ÌÇÐÄVlog is keeping up the pressure – and asking ministers to go even further to improve the Health Star Rating system.

The post Sweet ingredients found in worrying number of supermarket infant and toddler foods  appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

Some of these snacks are being marketed as suitable for babies as young as six months, and on the surface most appear to be healthy and full of goodness – as you’d hope for children this young. But are they?

Our experts unimpressed

We collected nutrition and ingredient information from more than 80 baby and toddler snack products and asked three experts – accredited practising dietitians Laura Ryan and Joan Breakey, and nutritionist Dr Rosemary Stanton – to review the details.

Many of these snacks may be a better option for your baby than mainstream biscuits, cereal bars or chips. But overall our experts weren’t impressed with the offerings, and here’s why.

Excessive sugars

Considering these snacks are targeted at babies and toddlers, some are more sugary than you might expect.

Heinz Little Kids Wholegrain Cereal Bars Apple & Blueberry and Rafferty’s Garden Fruit Snack Bar Apple, for example, have more than 40% total sugars. (For comparison, popular mainstream snack bars Kellogg’s K-Time Baked Twists Raspberry & Apple are 35.6% sugar). Fruit ingredients contribute to this total, but sugar and glucose also feature high up in the ingredients list of both. The saving grace is the small (15-16g) serve size of the bars.

Breakey points out that products that claim to be suitable for infants (babies under 12 months) can be a better choice, as food laws limit how much sodium they contain and require that they be labelled as ‘sweetened’ if they contain more than 4% added sugars and honey. However, there’s no such requirement for products targeted at older babies – and either way there’s no limit to how much sugar they contain.

“Young children do not require excessively sweet foods and promoting consumption of these foods will only encourage a taste for sweet foods and can be hazardous for young teeth,” says Ryan.

‘Naturally’ sweetened… with sugar

If you want to avoid giving your baby foods with added sugars, it’s not as simple as looking for the word ‘sugar’ on the ingredients list. More than 30% of the products we looked at contain added sugar in the form of fruit juice concentrate, which sounds a whole lot better on the label, and many companies use this to their advantage.

“Naturally sweetened with fruit ingredients” claims the packaging of Heinz Little Kids Fruit & Chia Shredz, but the product is 35% apple juice concentrate – and a small 18g serve contains the equivalent of more than three teaspoons of sugar. Little Bellies Mini Gingerbread Men are “sweetened only with grape juice”, but grape juice concentrate – aka sugar – makes up 29% of the product.

The ACCC announced in June that it was taking action against Heinz over the nutritional claims made on its Little Kids Shredz products. It’s alleging that Heinz is being misleading by representing these sugary products as healthy and nutritious food for children.

“I wouldn’t recommend any product with added sugar, salt or fruit juice concentrates or fruit juice,” says Stanton.

Flimsy fruit and veg content

The overwhelming majority of snack products purport to be a source of fruit or veggies, whether it be in the product name, a claim on the label or both. But don’t expect them to make any real contribution to the half a standard serve of fruit and two to three serves of vegetables it’s recommended that one- to two-year-old babies eat each day.

Baby Mum-Mum First Rice Rusks Vegetable, for example, boast an impressive range of vegetable ingredients – kale, carrot, cabbage and spinach. But combined they make up less than 1.5% of the product (a measly 0.06g in a serve), and they’re all in powdered form. Heinz Nutrios Pumpkin contain 4.9% pumpkin – also powdered – but it’s still just 0.2g in a serve.

Others, such as Kiddylicious Apple Fruit Wriggles claim to be ‘made with real fruit’, but a closer look at the ingredients list reveals the bulk of the ‘real’ fruit is – yes, you guessed it – fruit juice concentrate. And at $1.80 for a 12g pack ($150 per kilo), they’re significantly more expensive than your typical 80c supermarket apple ($4.50 per kilo).

‘Organic’ and ‘yoghurt’ health halos

Many packaged baby snacks are made from organic ingredients, and the word ‘organic’ is associated with a range of benefits. But while it’s true that these snacks are likely to contain fewer pesticides, their ‘organic-ness’ doesn’t make them more nutritious. “Using organic ingredients is to be applauded,” says Stanton, “but there’s nothing healthy about organic sugar or organic cornflour.”

The word ‘yoghurt’ also conjures up a healthy image, but in the case of packaged snacks it’s certainly misleading. 

The ‘yoghurt topping’ on Only Organic’s Yoghurt Kindy Rice Cakes, for example, consists of cane sugar, cocoa butter, skimmed yoghurt powder and full-cream milk powder, changing a perfectly healthy wholegrain rice cake into a snack that’s high in saturated fats and sugar. We paid $4 for a 60g pack of these rice cakes, which is five times more expensive than regular, organic rice cakes that you can pick up for less than $2 for a 150g pack.

Rafferty’s Garden Yoghurt Buttons are 93.5% yoghurt, but sugar is the third ingredient in this yoghurt, resulting in a product that’s more than 60% sugar – reducing the appeal of the ‘probiotic cultures’ it claims to contain.

Highly processed, no substance

To look at, corn flour-based ‘hoop’, ‘loop’ and puff-style baby snacks including Organix Goodies, Little Bellies Round-A-Bouts and Heinz Nutrios are reminiscent of mainstream snack and cereal products like Cheetos or Froot Loops.

Unlike the mainstream versions, these baby snacks have minimal added baddies, but what they do have in common is that they offer little in the way of nutritional value.

“These all may be suitable in terms of their fat, sugar and salt content however they are highly processed snacks with minimal fruit and veg,” says Ryan. “They are made to look very similar to processed salty snack foods such as Burger Rings. In my opinion, providing these foods for a baby is not ideal as it promotes a taste and preference for these type of snack foods.”

Organix Finger Foods Strawberry Baby Biscuits, with their “no junk promise” are yet another example. The ingredients list largely consists of flour, grape juice concentrate, two types of oil (including palm oil) and strawberry powder. The pack claims the biscuits contain “nothing unnecessary”, but you could equally argue they contain nothing necessary.

A warning about fruit and veg pouches

Squeezy pouches of pureed fruit and veg are not just common first foods for infants, but also popular snacks for babies, toddlers and beyond. Their convenience is undeniable, but giving them to your baby too often can be problematic.

Being easy to consume (babies just need to squeeze and suck from the spout) more food can be eaten in a shorter time. “This can bypass the natural signals that the stomach is full,” says Stanton, potentially resulting in over consumption. Ryan warns that if relied on as the only source of fruit and veg, they can also contribute to “a lack of feeding and oral motor skill development, which can in turn impact on language and development skills”.

And because they’re in puree form they contain less fibre than whole fruit and veg.

An exercise in marketing

Breakey says that giving your baby food without added sugars or salt is ideal, but “is not realistic for the general population”. When it comes to these snacks she takes the approach that “nutrition is not an all-or-nothing issue” and that moderation is key, but adds, “Parents are wise if they read the labels re the amount of sugars and salt and choose the most desirable.”

While the occasional packaged snack is unlikely to hurt your baby, for the most part these products are unnecessary and a waste of money, according to Stanton and Ryan.

“Most of these snacks consist predominantly of refined carbohydrates with some oil. Others are fruit juice concentrates or fruit powders”, says Stanton. “There is nothing essential in them and all create a hazard for developing teeth.”

“The marketing strategy for these foods is very strong and difficult to decipher as a parent,” says Ryan. “Ultimately all young babies and children need is plain, simple, wholesome foods which are half the price and much healthier.”

Stanton agrees. “Babies should eat family foods. The idea that infants need special foods (apart from formula for those who aren’t breastfed for the first 12 months) is a marketing exercise and doesn’t follow any principles of good nutrition,” says Stanton. Her advice? “Ignore all packaged snacks, go to the fruit department and look for suitable fruits in season.”

How to be snack savvy

Preparing nutritious snacks and finger foods for your baby isn’t always an option, and there’s no doubting the convenience of having a packaged snack in your bag as a backup for when you’re out and about. Just bear the following in mind when choosing:

• Read the ingredients list first – ingredients are listed in order of most to least.
• Aim for products with a small ingredients list consisting of whole foods and no added sugars and salt, particularly if your baby is under 12 months.
• Check for real fruit and veg ingredients, not just juice concentrates and powders.
• Don’t be swayed by claims that the snack will “help your little one develop good hand eye co-ordination” or is “sized and shaped to help develop fine motor skills”.  A cucumber stick, a crust of wholemeal bread, a rice cracker or a banana can all do the same job.
• Consider them all to be ‘sometimes’ foods.

Simple, sensible snack suggestions

“Babies (and all children) need to eat more fruits, vegetables, wholegrains – as real foods, not as puffs, bars and snack foods that bear little resemblance either in appearance or consumption to anything that actually they would recognise as a basic food,” says Stanton.

Ryan encourages parents to consider snacks as ‘mini’ meals, and offer a selection of foods from all food groups. “Keep it simple and easy,” she says. “Children do not need fancy products to enjoy what they eat.”

For a simple, nutritious snack for babies and toddlers, our experts suggest the following:

• Fresh fruit pieces (offer a variety of colours and types)
• Veggie sticks (offer a variety of colours and types)
• Wholemeal bread or toast fingers with a nut spread (allergies permitting)
• Plain yoghurt or cheese pieces
• Boiled eggs, cold cooked meats, baked beans
• Plain rice cakes, corn thins, wholemeal mini pikelets with grated vegies, cooked pasta pieces, dry cereal pieces

The post Packaged snacks for babies appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• Percentage of ingredients
• Added sugar
• Salt
• Thickeners and water
• Additives
• Fresh versus shelf-stable
• Organic
• Snacks and dessert

While making food at home will be cheaper and you’ll know exactly what’s in it, buying commercially available baby food can be a sanity saver. 

Here’s what to consider when choosing the best baby food.

Percentage of ingredients

Under Australian food labelling laws manufacturers must list ingredients on the label in descending order of weight, but they only need to declare the percentage of ‘characterising’ ingredients – the ones mentioned in the product name or pictured on the label. An ingredients list that shows the percentage of ingredients gives you a good idea of how much real food has been used, and whether it reflects the name – “pureed peaches” might actually be 15% apple.

Added sugar

Check the ingredients list for added sugars (including honey and fruit juice concentrate which can act as a sweetener and isn’t as nutrient-dense as whole fruit). If more than four percent (4g per 100g) sugars are added, the label must say it’s ‘sweetened’. Check the nutrition panel for sugar content per 100g.

Salt

Like sugar, salt is an unnecessary addition. The amount of salt baby foods can contain is limited – no more than 100mg of sodium per 100g in meat, veggie and fruit baby food, no more than 300mg per 100g for biscuits and no more than 350mg per 100g for rusks.  Check the nutrition panel for sodium content per 100g.

Thickeners and water

Sometimes maize starch or flour, rice, ground rice or rice flour are used as thickeners for aesthetic and texture reasons. They’re safe and sometimes necessary, but water and thickeners can also take the place of more nutrient-dense ingredients. Babies need a high-nutrient diet, so the more real food in a product, the better. If fillers are used, check that they are low down on the ingredients list.

Additives

Vitamin C is often added to make up for losses in processing, and it acts as an antioxidant to prevent fats going rancid and fruit and veg turning brown. But food regulations mean you won’t find additives such as preservatives, colours and flavours in any foods for babies under 12 months, so don’t be swayed by claims of no added this or artificial that.

Fresh versus shelf-stable

Jars, cans and shelf-stable containers have the highest level of heat treatment and so have retained the lowest level of heat-sensitive vitamins. Chilled products with long shelf lives in the fridge are less treated, and chilled products with short shelf lives and products which must be kept frozen are the least heat treated (and the closest to making it yourself).

Organic

If you want a 100% organic product, look carefully at whether all or only some ingredients are certified organic.

Snacks and dessert

Dietitians have told ÌÇÐÄVlog that babies don’t processed baby snacks or dessert. But if you must, look for products with no or minimal added sugars. 100% fruit purée mixed with natural yoghurt is a reasonable option.

The post How to choose the best baby food appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• Getting enough variety
• Your nutrition needs
• How much energy do I need?
• Staying well hydrated
• What foods and drinks should I avoid?
• Tips to help you eat right 

Getting enough variety

The recommends breastfeeding women eat a range of healthy food:

• Between five and seven servings of bread, cereals, rice, pasta or noodles. One serve is: two slices of bread; one medium bread roll; one cup of cooked rice, pasta or noodles; or one and a third cups of cereal. There is an allowance of about 20g a day for poly or monounsaturated fats and oils that can be used to spread on breads or rolls or used elsewhere in your diet.
• Seven servings of vegetables and legumes. A serve is: 75g of cooked vegetables; a half cup of cooked dried beans, peas, lentils or canned beans; a cup of salad vegetables; or one small potato.
• Five servings of fruit. A serve is: a medium apple; two small pieces (150g) of fruit; a cup of diced fruit pieces or canned fruit; a half cup of fruit juice; or 1.5 tablespoons of sultanas.
• Two servings of milk, yoghurt or cheese. A serve is: 250ml of milk; 250ml of soy milk; 40g (two slices) of cheese or 200g (a small carton) of yoghurt.
• Two servings of meat, fish, poultry, eggs, nuts or legumes. A serve is: 65–100g cooked meat or chicken; two small chops; two slices of roast meat; a half cup of cooked dried beans; 80–120g of fish fillet; a third of a cup of peanuts (or almonds); or two small eggs.

Your nutrition needs

Protein

Growing babies use a lot of protein, so you’ll need to eat additional dietary protein to meet their needs. Protein is vital for the growth, maintenance and repair of cells. The average protein needed for breastfeeding is 54g per day, but, you may need 67g a day or more.

Good sources of protein include:

• meat (including fish and poultry)
• eggs
• dairy
• legumes (such as beans, pulses and soy products)
• nuts.

Folate

Folate is a B-group vitamin that’s needed for healthy growth and development. On average, breastfeeding mums require 450µg (micrograms) per day of folate, but you may need much as 500µg a day or more. Good sources of folate include:

• leafy vegetables
• whole grains
• peas
• nuts
• avocado
• yeast extract spreads like Vegemite, Promite or Marmite.

Iodine

Iodine is an essential mineral needed for the production of the thyroid hormone, and to ensure your baby’s brain and nervous system develop properly. Breastfeeding mothers need an average 190µg per day of iodine, but you may need up to 270µg a day.

Good sources of iodine include:

• seafood
• milk
• vegetables.

Zinc

Zinc is important for your baby’s cell development and immune system. Breastfeeding mothers need an average 10mg per day of zinc, but you may need 12mg a day or more. Good sources of zinc include:

• wholegrain cereals
• milk
• seafood
• legumes
• nuts.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is vital for normal growth and helps your baby resist infections. Breastfeeding mothers require on average 800 µg per day of vitamin A, but you may need up to 1100 µg a day or more.

Good sources of vitamin A include:

• milk
• cheese
• eggs
• fatty fish species
• yellow-orange vegetables
• fruits like pumpkin, mango, apricots
• vegetables like carrots, spinach and broccoli.

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 helps your baby metabolise protein and form new red blood cells. Breastfeeding mothers need an average 1.7mg per day of vitamin B6, but you may need 2mg a day or more.

Good sources of vitamin B6 include:

• muscle and organ meats
• poultry
• fish
• whole grains
• Brussels sprouts
• green peas
• beans.

How much energy do I need?

Producing all that milk increases your energy needs. In fact, daily energy requirements for breastfeeding mothers are around 2000 kJ (478 Cal) more than what an average adult woman needs. These figures are based on full breastfeeding in the first six months. Partial breastfeeding after that time may mean you need less.

While it’s normal for mums to put on weight while pregnant, you’re not recommended to follow a weight-loss diet while breastfeeding. Breastfeeding helps you lose weight naturally and safely. If you gain weight after birth, you may be eating too much, or choosing foods that are too high in energy. 

What if I hit the gym?

changes your energy requirements when breastfeeding. The following is a guide to how much you’ll need, based on activity levels.

• At rest, exclusively sedentary or lying, for example in bed or a chair all day – 8800 kJ/day
• Exclusively sedentary activity with little or no strenuous leisure activity, such as an office employee – 10,000–10,550 kJ/day
• Sedentary activity with some requirement for occasional walking or standing, but no strenuous leisure activity – 11,100–11,700 kJ/day
• A lifestyle that involves mainly standing or walking, or one with some leisure exercise – 12,300–12,850 kJ/day
• Heavy physical work, or a highly active leisure time – 13,400–14,500+ kJ/day

Staying well hydrated

Breastfeeding is thirsty work. You’ll need to drink at least 700ml a day more than your non-lactating friends to replace fluids used by breastfeeding. This equals nine cups of fluids daily, and can be in the form of water, milk, juice and other drinks. Avoid alcohol, and limit caffeine-containing drinks like tea, coffee and colas. As with all of us, pure H2O is your best source of liquids.

What foods and drinks should I avoid?

Alcohol

According to the , not drinking is the safest option for breastfeeding mums. The level of alcohol in breast milk is almost the same as a mother’s blood alcohol level. An occasional drink of alcohol is generally not considered too harmful. But if you choose this option, you’re advised to drink minimally, especially in the first three months when your baby’s liver is still immature. You can limit baby’s exposure to alcohol by choosing low alcohol drinks, eating before and while drinking, avoiding breastfeeding for two to three hours after drinking, or choosing to have an alcoholic drink immediately after breastfeeding.

Importantly:

• Drinking alcohol in large amounts or very often can be dangerous for your breastfed baby.
• Large quantities of alcohol can displace other sources of nutrition in your breast milk.

Caffeine

Some breastfeeding mothers report their baby is unsettled, irritable, or even constipated if they drink large volumes of coffee, strong tea, or cola. But there seems to be individual variation in how much caffeine is found in breast milk after drinking a cuppa. And if you’re having issues with poor milk supply, caffeine may be the culprit. 

Caffeine can also affect the nutrient make-up of breast milk. The iron levels in the breast milk of a woman who drinks more than three cups of coffee a day in the early phases of breastfeeding are one-third less than that of a mum who doesn’t drink any.

Importantly:

• Limit caffeine consumption to no more than four cups of coffee, tea or cola per day. Ideally two or less.
• Cigarette smoking compounds the effects of caffeine in breastfed babies. 

Spicy foods

Many infant specialists dispute that spicy foods cause any problems, but plenty of mothers blame unsettled behaviour on spicy or irritating foods. If you suspect a food you eat is affecting your baby, stop eating it for a few days. If the baby settles down, try the food again to see how it affects the baby. If you find they’re unsettled again, you may want to cut out the food permanently. But speak to a dietitian or nutritionist for further advice if you’re finding you need to avoid a lot of different foods to keep your baby happy.

Tips to help you eat right 

Breastfeeding in the early days can feel like an exhausting cycle of on-again, off-again routines. It’s important to take any help available when it comes to maintaining a healthy diet. 

Here are some ideas to help.

• Enlist family and friends – suggest they cook you some meals in the early days instead of giving baby a present.
• Buy frozen vegetables – you’ll save preparation time and ÌÇÐÄVlog tests have found frozen vegies can be as, or more, nutritious than fresh vegies.
• Cook meals which can be eaten over a couple of days like spaghetti, lasagne or stews.
• Try a meal delivery service as a temporary stopgap if things get really difficult.  

The post What to eat when you’re breastfeeding appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• Benefits of breastfeeding
• Difficulties with breastfeeding
• 8 tips for breastfeeding
• Breast pumps
• Useful contacts

Benefits of breastfeeding

• Breast milk is perfectly designed to nourish your baby. It’s made up of nutrients suited to the baby’s growth rate and can compensate for fluid loss through sweating on hot days. It’s also easily digested by your baby, as it’s suited to immature kidneys and digestive system. Breastfed babies rarely get constipated and their faeces don’t (or hardly) smell.
• Breastmilk is important for your baby’s health. It increases resistance to infection and disease and reduces the likelihood of the baby developing asthma or allergies such as eczema.
• Breastfeeding is also important for the mother. Hormones produced during lactation help the uterus return quickly to its pre-pregnancy size. It’s a safe way of losing fat deposited during pregnancy. It also reduces the mother’s risk of developing breast cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
• Breastmilk is cheaper and more environmentally friendly than milk formulas.

Difficulties with breastfeeding

We probably all agree that breastfeeding sounds ideal, but it doesn’t always work out that way. New mums sometimes experience problems trying to breastfeed, which can cause stress and even feelings of guilt and inadequacy.

Difficulties can be caused by:

• supply problems
• baby’s failure to thrive
• breast pain, engorgement, blocked ducts, cracked nipples or inverted nipples
• social constraints regarding breastfeeding in public
• mother’s work schedule
• sickness of mother or child.

If you experience trouble, try to get help immediately as breastfeeding difficulties can become more complicated over time.

Call the 24-hour breastfeeding helpline staffed by volunteers on 1800 686 268, or check contacts for Early Childhood health services in your area.

8 tips for breastfeeding

1. Make yourself comfortable at feed times. It may help to lay down and cuddle your baby before feeding. Relaxation exercises such as breathing deeply and slowly can help if you’re tense.
2. Gently massaging your breasts can help to get the milk flowing.
3. Breast (nursing) pads can help if your breasts are leaking. Disposable ones can cost around 30 cents; an alternative is washable cotton pads (around $3 for a pair).
4. Try to eat a balanced diet, eat what you enjoy, and avoid any foods that upset you.
5. You can increase your milk supply by feeding your baby more often.
6. Incorrect attachment of the baby on the breast is the most common cause of nipple pain.
7. Avoiding soaps and shampoos during showering will help prevent nipple dryness.
8. Ask your partner to support you – even small things like bringing you something to drink while you breastfeed can make you feel more relaxed and calm.

Breast pumps

A breast pump helps you express your milk so you can feed your baby with a bottle or release the pressure if you’re making too much milk. Pumps can be purchased or hired from the ABA’s catalogue, pharmacies and baby shops. 

There are three types of breast pumps:

• Manual pumps include piston-style pumps (like a giant syringe with a funnel at one end and a collection bottle attached), which need two hands to operate, and lever-operated pumps, which can be used single-handed. The ABA advises against breast pumps with a squeezable rubber bulb to create suction: suction pressure is difficult to control and may cause discomfort or nipple damage. Price range for two hand pump: $55–$65; one hand pump: about $110.
• Electric pumps are considered very efficient. They’re expensive to buy, so consider hiring one from ABA groups, hospitals, or a pharmacy who offers pump hire. Price range: depending on the pump, the ABA charges $30–$50 per week – ABA members get 50% discount on these rates.
• Battery-operated pumps: recommend for intermittent use. Some are fully automated, others require you to repeatedly press a button for each ‘squeeze’. Price: about $190.

Useful contacts

ACT

• Parentlink 13 34 27 
• Parentline (02) 6287 3833

NSW

• Tresillian (02) 9787 0855 or 1800 637 357
• Karitane 1300 227 464
• Parentline 1300 1300 52

NT

• Parentline 1300 30 1300
• Maternal and Child Health (08) 9855 6106 (in Darwin) or (08) 8922 7712 (outside Darwin) 

QLD

• Parentline 1300 30 1300

Infant feeding support clinics:

• Ellen Barron Family Centre, located in the Prince Charles Hospital, Rode Rd, Chermside, Brisbane (07) 3139 6500
• Alderley Child Health Clinic, Shop 4, 24 South Pine Road, Alderley

SA

• Child and Youth Health Parent Helpline 1300 364 100
• Parentline 1300 364 100

TAS

• Parentline 1300 808 178 

VIC

• Parentline 1300 808 178
• Maternal and Child Health Service support line 13 22 29

Early Parenting Centres:

• O’Connell Family Centre (03) 8416 7600
• Tweddle Child + Family Health Service (Mother & Baby Unit) (03) 9689 1577
• Queen Elizabeth Mother/Baby Unit (03) 9549 2777

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• Child Health Services 1300 135 030
• Parentline (08) 6279 1200 or 1800 654 432

Other contacts

•  24-hour helpline 1800 686 268
•   a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice, staffed by registered nurses 1800 022 222
• , a government-funded online service, providing free, reliable, up-to-date and independent information.

The post A guide to breastfeeding success appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• Milk-based formula
• Soy-based formula
• Baby juices
• Bottle feeding equipment
• BPA
• 6 bottle feeding tips

It can be difficult to choose the right formula for your baby, especially when the wrong one can lead to all kinds of problems, so it’s always a good idea to consult a doctor before settling on a particular product for your child. However, if you’d just like a better idea of what’s currently on the market, we’re here to give you a rundown of available formulas.

Baby formula – what’s in the mix?

There are several different types of formula available. Most formulas are based on cow’s milk, but there are products that use a protein derived from soy beans instead, as well as specialised formulas for specific dietary needs. These usually aren’t available over the counter, and you should always consult an expert before deciding to use any of these alternatives.

Milk-based formula

Milk formulas are based either on casein, the main milk protein, or whey. Whey-based products more closely resemble breast milk, and so can often be the better choice for your child. If you do have to use an infant formula during the first 12 months of your baby’s life, we suggest that you use one of the whey-based formulas. The label will indicate whether the product is whey- or casein-dominant.

Soy-based formula

Soy formulas are designed for use when a baby becomes temporarily unable to digest lactose – for example, after gastroenteritis – and are prescribed if your baby doesn’t tolerate cow’s milk protein. In soy formulas, carbohydrate is added as sucrose or corn syrup solids, or a mixture of both, to help provide essential energy. Soy-based formulas are made so that they contain slightly more protein than milk formulas because the body uses vegetable protein less efficiently than animal protein.

Soy-based and modified lactose formulas are suitable when recommended by your doctor. However, be aware that indiscriminate use of soy formulas should be avoided. Food intolerance of any kind is a matter for expert dietary diagnosis and advice.

Another possible problem with soy-based formulas is the potential effects of phytoestrogens in soy on hormones, but there needs to be significantly more research done on this. The effects of genetically modified soy beans may also be a concern, but again more investigation is needed.

Baby juices

There are some fruit juices and juice drinks that are marketed as being safe for babies six months and over to drink. Don’t be taken in by the spin; Dr James Best, GP and author of the upcoming book Kidsense says, “To market this sort of product for babies sets them up for bad dietary habits and is simply irresponsible.

“Drinks containing sugar, including juice, are not needed by small children. It is far healthier for children to have fruit rather than fruit juice. Not only does the sugar in the drinks contribute to childhood obesity, but there are serious and common dental decay problems.”

According to the current dietary guidelines, breast milk or infant formula should be the main drink for children under 12 months old. For toddlers and older children, water is the best drink.

Get advice

Most formulas are available over the counter. Other formulas, such as those designed for short-term use in babies with severe digestive problems, can be obtained only under medical authority. Formulas may be purchased in single-bottle sachets, in tins of various sizes, as powder or as concentrated liquid. Correct preparation and storage are vital for the health and proper development of your child, so always consult a doctor before making a decision.

Bottle feeding equipment

Bottles

There’s quite an array of baby bottles on the market, with a multitude of brands offering a variety of bottles in glass or plastic, with different patterns and shapes, and in 240mL or 120mL capacity. It can all get a bit overwhelming, but some research can help you decide what you and your baby really need, so you can block out the unnecessary noise and focus on the essentials.

• Glass is a more hard-wearing and hygienic choice than plastic, but it tends to be heavier and can be more of a danger if it breaks.
• Smaller-sized bottles are useful for young babies who won’t take large volumes, and for giving water to breastfed babies.
• Shaped bottles, such as those with a hole in the middle, may be suitable for older babies to grasp but they could make cleaning more difficult. Some raised patterns can help babies to grip the bottles, but for the most part they’re just there for decoration.

If you’re exclusively bottle feeding your baby, you’ll need six to eight bottles in total. If you’re breastfeeding and intend to express, you’ll at least need two or three.

Teats

There’s a choice of material (rubber or silicone), shape and flow rate available.

• Rubber vs silicone. Apart from the aesthetics of brownish rubber (latex) versus clear silicone, there are several reasons for choosing silicone over rubber. Silicone is more durable and better able to withstand repeated washing, boiling and sterilising. Rubber tends to become sticky and friable after a while. Several years ago, the presence of nitrosamines in rubber teats caused concern, as they’re known to cause cancer in animals. When ÌÇÐÄVlog found nitrosamines in its 1986 test of teats, we advised to err on the safe side and use silicone teats instead of rubber. Some health authorities now advise that there’s no proof that rubber teats can cause problems.
• Shape. You can choose from the traditional bell shape or the so-called “orthodontic” teat , which some manufacturers claim resembles the mother’s nipple during breastfeeding. However, these claims are inconclusive, as are claims that they’re better than bell-shaped teats for mouth development. Your baby may show a preference for either type though.
• Flow rates are usually specified: ‘slow’ for 0–3 months, ‘medium’ for 3–6 months and ‘fast’ for over 6 months. Inspect all teats frequently (pull on the bulb portion to test their strength) and discard worn or faulty ones immediately.

Bottle brush

You’ll need a wire-handled nylon bristle brush to clean the bottles before sterilising; those with a teat brush on the other end are especially useful. Wash bottles and teats in hot soapy water to remove all traces of milk or formula, as any residue could provide a breeding ground for bacteria. You should also squirt the water through the hole in the teat to make sure it’s clear.

Measuring jug/spoon/knife

You’ll need these if you’re using formula, so you can make sure you measure out the right amounts. This is extremely important: with too much formula you may overload the baby’s delicate digestive system and kidneys, and supply too many calories; too little and the baby may not get enough nutrition.

BPA

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic compound often found in plastic products to make them stronger. Unfortunately, it’s also been proven to have a negative effect on health, particularly in babies and children, and so has largely been phased out by manufacturers. Australian retailers – including Aldi, Woolworths, Coles, Target, Kmart and Big W – have also phased out baby bottles containing BPA, now selling only BPA-free products.

6 bottle feeding tips

1. Our general advice is that wherever possible, mothers should be encouraged to breastfeed their babies.
2. If bottle feeding, shop around for the best prices on all necessary products.
3. Consult your doctor before making any choice about which baby formula is best for your child. This is especially important if your baby has any special dietary needs.
4. Make sure you use all the formula within the time specified on the pack after opening it, and seal the pack immediately after each use.
5. If your baby is lactose intolerant, look for milk formulas where the lactose has been broken down to its constituents, glucose and galactose, for easier digestion.
6. If you need to change your regular brand of formula to another, check with your doctor or early childhood nurse first, to ensure that the formula you choose is appropriate for your baby, and monitor any potential issues.

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