INFANT FORMULA FEEDING

Sometimes, parents choose to bottle-feed their infants using infant formula. If opting for formula, please contact our office for guidance on the appropriate choice for your child. For most babies, we recommend two excellent infant formula choices: Enfamil Neuropro and Similac Advance. We advise against changing your baby’s formula without our input. Infants should be fed iron-fortified formula for proper nutrition until they are 12 months old—all commercially available formulas in the U.S. are fortified with iron. Avoid introducing cow’s milk during the first year, as it doesn’t meet an infant’s nutritional needs. Cow’s milk contains too much protein, insufficient iron, excessive sodium, and an inadequate distribution of vitamins, minerals, fats, and calories compared to breast milk and formula.

Some infants may require specific formulas for health reasons, and switching formulas without medical guidance can be risky. Therefore, ignore formula advertisements, samples, and promotions that aim to sway your decision. The selection and use of infant formula must be under our direct supervision to ensure your child’s health and nutrition. We also typically do not recommend toddler formulas.

Some popular European formula brands sold in the US, including HiPP, Holle, Bioland, and Kendamil, have been recalled or identified as not meeting U.S. standards for iron content, primarily because they contain less than the FDA's required 1 milligram of iron per 100 calories. While some brands may sell formulas in the U.S. that meet U.S. standards, the formulas that were recalled are those sold online through specific retailers and were identified as having insufficient iron levels, which is a critical concern for infants born prematurely, with low birth weight, or with low iron levels at birth. Infant formula choice matters.

Formula-fed infants usually do not need additional vitamin supplementation, as the required nutrients are included in the formula. Fluoride supplementation is unnecessary if the formula is mixed with water containing enough fluoride. Most communities, including Little Rock and North Little Rock, have adequate fluoride levels in their water supply. If you have questions about fluoride content in your water, please contact your local water authority for specific information.