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Now that you're in the final months of your pregnancy, it's time to make one of the first important decisions you'll make as a parent: how you will nourish your newborn. Health Canada recommends exclusive breast-feeding for the first 6 months of life for healthy term infants as breast milk is the optimal food for growth. Infants should be introduced to nutrient-rich, solid foods — with particular attention to iron — at six months. Breast-feeding can be continued for up to two years and beyond. If you do choose to supplement, healthcare experts recommend iron-fortified infant formula as the next best alternative to breast milk. |
Ultimately, how you decide to nourish your baby is very personal. We encourage you to make this important decision based on the right information, advice and support from your family and your healthcare professional. If you choose to supplement with infant formula, there are a variety of formulas that can meet your baby's nutritional needs.
Iron-fortified infant formula is your next best choice
If you choose to supplement breast milk with formula or decide to formula-feed exclusively, you can be confident that an iron-fortified formula is an excellent source of nourishment for your baby. Infant formulas are designed to be similar in composition to breast milk. They contain the recommended percentages of fat, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals needed for baby's growth and development.
If you decide to supplement or discontinue breast-feeding, Canadian healthcare experts recommend "cow's-milk based, iron-fortified infant formula from birth until 9-12 months of age". Iron is critical to baby's development. Iron fortification is important because iron deficiency can lead to psychomotor developmental delays, impaired cognitive function, and decreased attention span. You'll find there are several types and forms of infant formula to choose from. You'll want to discuss which type is best for your baby with your healthcare provider. |
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Milk-based formulas
NESTLÉ® GOOD START® is the only iron-fortified infant formula made with 100% whey protein, and uses a unique patented process to partially break down the whey protein into smaller pieces making it easy to digest.** NESTLÉ® GOOD START® is also the only routine Infant Formula that may reduce the possibility of an allergic reaction due to whole proteins. Unlike other Infant Formulas for healthy, full term babies, NESTLÉ® GOOD START® does not contain whole (not broken down) milk protein and therefore may reduce the possibility of an allergic reaction due to these proteins.* To learn more about the unique properties of NESTLÉ GOOD START, click here.
NESTLÉ® GOOD START® with OMEGA-3 & OMEGA-6 is the only iron-fortified infant formula made with 100% whey protein and uses a unique, patented process to partially break down the whey protein into smaller pieces making it easy to digest.** It also contains DHA (Omega-3) & ARA (Omega-6) fatty acids - nutrients naturally found in breast milk. To learn more about DHA (Omega-3) and ARA (Omega-6) fatty acids, click here.
NESTLÉ® FOLLOW UP® is a milk-based formula specially designed to meet the needs of babies 6 months and older who are eating solid foods. It contains 50% more calcium than starter milk-based formulas. To learn more about NESTLÉ FOLLOW UP, click here.
All these NESTLÉ infant formulas are available in 3 formats: powder, concentrate and ready-to-feed.
Soy-based formulas
Canadian healthcare experts recommend soy-based infant formula "only for those infants who cannot take dairy-based products for health, cultural or religious reasons such as vegetarian diet or galactosemia"1. NESTLÉ ALSOY with OMEGA-3 & OMEGA-6 is a milk-free, lactose-free iron-fortified infant formula designed for infants avoiding milk or milk based products for the reasons above.
If you are considering soy protein based formula, talk to your healthcare professional and discuss the various options available to you.
1Nutrition for Healthy Term Infants. Statement of the Joint Working Group: Canadian Paediatric Society, Dietitians of Canada and Health Canada, 1998. reaffirmed by the CPS 2003
For more information on this topic, check our Q&A Section. If you don't find the information you're looking for, please feel free to Ask a Dietitian. |
*Not to be used for the treatment of cow's milk protein allergy. All sources of whole milk proteins should be avoided.
**All infant formulas are designed to be easy to digest.
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