Breast Milk Diaries III

January first was the last day I pumped. I am still breastfeeding at night and in the morning if Coop wants but he has weaned himself pretty much to only at night. I decided an organic powdered formula would work best for us being the most economical and environmentally friendly. I researched formula better than the FBI and here is what I came up with. (Post contains affiliate links)

1. Baby’s Only Organic LactoRelief with DHA & ARA Toddler Formula is what I am using. While he doesn’t have an issue with lactose I choose this due to less constipation issues in babies were reported. The price isn’t overwhelming and if your child is prone to allergies, then Baby’s Only Organic Dairy with DHA & ARA Formula is a great choice. The formula is totally gluten free. It contains no corn syrup or any other GMO ingredients. It contains DHA and ARA lipids, derived from the egg phospholipids. It gives the formula a more natural fatty acid profile. It is also hexane free (DHA & RHA are normally derived via hexane) The brand also claims that it does not include any artificial growth hormone, antibiotics, and steroids in the formula. Even though it says Toddler Formula the company says that it is safe for infants. The only reason it is labeled as toddler is they advocate breast is best.  

Other’s that I researched and are great options are:

1. Earth’s Best Infant Formula. EB formula is rich in high-quality protein, mineral, vitamins, and essential fatty acids. It contains DHA and ARA, nutrients that are naturally available in breast milk. These nutrients promote the baby’s brain and eye development. Even its whey and casein ratio is identical to mother’s milk. The brand also uses organic glucose solids and organic lactose as a carbohydrate source. It contains no antibiotics, growth hormones, steroids or harmful herbicides or pesticides. And it meets the FDA requirements for infant nutrition. 
2. Happy Baby Organic Infant Baby Formula. This baby formula is a great option, especially if you’re planning on using formula from birth. It is organic, non-GMO, and contains no corn syrup solids or other sweeteners. Its ingredients include lactose, milk, several oils (including palm, soy, coconut, safflower, sunflower), whey protein concentrate, soy lecithin, prebiotics (FOS and GOS), essential fatty acids (DHA and ARA), and a ton of beneficial vitamins and minerals. These include iron, zinc, choline, vitamin D, and calcium. It is also kosher and the packaging and formula itself contain no BPA. There’s nothing strange in this formula, and the dairy cows used to make the milk for this formula are only fed organic diets. 
3. HiPP Stage 2 Organic Combiotic Formula Infant Milk. (Not an affiliate link) While I love this it is very difficult to find. This product ships from Germany and that was my reasoning for not going with this brand. I have included a link from HiPP’s site for US shipping. HiPP Organic Infant Milk contains important prebiotics and omegas, but doesn’t contain any of the questionable additives of the brand names like Enfamil or Similac, and no brown rice syrup like the US Organic formulas.  HiPP uses the finest organic ingredients in milk, which means no chemical pesticides and no GM ingredients.  The company has been researching breastmilk for over 50 years, so you can rely on their formula including the ingredients your baby needs to grow strong and healthy (like iron, vitamins A, C and D and PRÆBIOTIK® oligosaccharides (GOS).  Their infant milks also contain added Omega 3 & 6 LCPs (DHA and AA). Suitable from birth onwards Hipp Organic Infant Milk is a gentle organic formula that you can use to supplement or replace breastfeeding. It’s suitable from birth, nutritionally complete and will satisfy even the hungriest babies. It contains added vitamins, minerals and Omega 3 and 6 for healthy brain development and a healthy immune system. Hipp Organic Infant Milk also contains PRAEBIOTIK® to make it easier to digest. HiPP milks don’t contain nucleotides because babies can make them for themselves from amino acids; so they are not essential to their diet. For this reason, and since they are not essential, organic regulations mean they cannot be added to the milks. 

While they are many more options available I personally wanted to stick with an organic formula that was as close to breast milk as possible. If you have had a great experience with a formula would love for you to share!

I will also add that my complete freaking out over breast over formula has calmed down! I am doing what is best for Cooper and that is what is most important!