Iron-fortified infant formula

Canadian healthcare experts recommend cow's milk-based, iron-fortified infant formulas from birth until 9-12 months of age if breast-feeding is discontinued or supplemented. Iron is critical to baby's development as iron deficiency can lead to psychomotor developmental delays, impaired cognitive function and decreased attention span.

Cow's milk-based infant formula

Cow's milk-based infant formula is recommended by most doctors for healthy, full-term infants. It's made from cow's milk protein with added carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals. If you suspect your baby has a milk allergy, consult with your healthcare professional and use only under a doctor's supervision.

Partially Hydrolyzed Starter Infant Formula

In Canada, NESTLÉ^® GOOD START^® is the only formula manufacturer that produces a routine, iron-fortified cow's milk-based starter infant formula which is made with 100% whey protein. Using a unique patented process, this protein is partially broken down 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.* This is very important because babies are particularly susceptible to becoming sensitized to food allergens during the first months of life.

Infant formula enhanced with OMEGA-3 (DHA) and OMEGA-6 (ARA)

There are also infant formulas enriched with OMEGA-3 (DHA) and OMEGA-6 (ARA) fatty acids -nutrients that are naturally found in breast milk. DHA and ARA support babies' eye and brain development. Some clinical studies have shown that infant formulas enhanced with DHA and ARA provide additional benefits to formula-fed babies.

When choosing a routine, milk-based formula for your newborn, consider iron-fortified NESTLÉ^® GOOD START^® with OMEGA-3 & OMEGA-6. It is the only infant formula, enhanced with DHA (OMEGA-3) and ARA (OMEGA-6) that contains partially broken down 100% whey protein making it easy to digest.**

Infant formulas for other needs

Your doctor may recommend an alternative type of infant formula. Here are the three basic formula categories:

Soy-based infant formulas are recommended for babies who cannot take dairy-based products for health, cultural or religious reasons such as a vegetarian diet or galactosemia. If you choose to use a soy-based formula, NESTLÉ^® ALSOY^® with OMEGA-3 & OMEGA-6 was the first soy-based starter infant formula available in Canada that is enhanced with OMEGA-3 (DHA) and OMEGA-6 (ARA) fatty acids.

As your baby grows, Health Canada recommends that iron-fortified second-stage formulas are a preferred alternative to cow's milk for those babies already eating solid foods. Unlike cow's milk (which is not recommended until 9-12 months of age), iron-fortified second-stage formulas can be introduced at six months of age and contain added calcium to help support growing bones and teeth in older babies. Consider NESTLÉ^® GOOD START^® 2 with OMEGA-3 & OMEGA-6 for your older baby (6-18+ months) to provide the nutrition she needs. It's also the only second-stage infant formula that is enhanced with DHA (OMEGA-3) and ARA (OMEGA-6) fatty acids; which contains partially broken down 100% whey protein making it easy to digest; and is calcium enriched.**

There are also formulas designed for older babies who have started eating solid foods. For example, second-stage soy-based infant formulas such as NESTLÉ^® ALSOY^® 2 provide added calcium for your growing baby's changing needs.

NESTLÉ^® FOLLOW-UP^® is a great tasting second-stage iron-fortified infant formula that is made from whole cow's milk protein to help baby graduate from the broken down protein of NESTLÉ^® GOOD START^®. It contains 50% more calcium than starter infant formulas.

Specialty Formulas for babies with other special needs are also available.

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.