Feeding choices
Even before your baby makes her grand entrance, you’re probably thinking ahead to how you’ll feed her. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends breastmilk as the best food for babies. It has just the right amounts of fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, water and protein to meet your baby’s needs. Breastmilk protein is naturally gentle, so it’s easy for babies to digest.
Breastmilk contains antibodies that help protect your baby. In addition, breastfeeding fosters an immune-building environment in your baby’s digestive system that appears to help reduce the incidence of ear infections, allergies and diarrhea. Breastmilk also contains DHA & ARA that help support healthy brain and eye development.
DHA & ARA are passed on to your baby during breastfeeding. That’s why what you eat is important. Make sure your diet includes foods that have DHA (canned light tuna*, salmon, mackerel, sardines) and ARA (dairy products, meat and eggs). Talk with your doctor if you’re unsure about the need for a supplement in your diet.
Because infant formulas are patterned after breastmilk, they have the right percentages of carbohydrates, fat, protein, vitamins and minerals. All formulas sold in the U.S. provide complete nutrition and are required to meet the strict nutritional guidelines of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Not all formulas are the same. There are different types designed to meet babies’ individual needs. Some experts recommend formula made from gentle 100% whey protein such as GERBER® GOOD START® Protect formula—it has COMFORT PROTEINS® for easy digestion as well as our IMMUNIPROTECT™ blend for infant formula for advanced immune system support. Only GOOD START milk-based formula is made exclusively from high-quality protein that’s broken down to be easy for your baby to digest. These proteins empty from your baby’s tummy at a rate similar to breastmilk and faster than formulas with whole proteins. This may help reduce the potential for fussiness, spit-up and gas.**
Learn more about your child’s immune system.
*eat albacore (“white”) tuna only once per week
**due to whole protein intolerance