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Bottle Feeding and Bottle Care
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Choosing a Formula

Question

Do you make a low-iron infant formula?

Answer

No. All Nestlé infant formulas are fortified with iron to meet your baby's needs for growth and development, and all meet the guidelines established by the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) Committee on Nutrition. Nestlé agrees with the AAP's confirmation that iron-fortified formula is the only reasonable alternative to breastmilk.

Babies are born with a good store of iron, provided by Mom during a healthy pregnancy. Those initial iron reserves need to be maintained by iron-fortified formula for babies that aren’t breastfed. If not maintained, these iron stores may become depleted by the time your baby is 4 to 6 months old. That’s why the introduction of iron-rich solid foods is important, while still maintaining breastfeeding or iron-fortified formula feeding as the primary source of nutrition.

Iron is critical to your baby's growth and development. Iron contributes to your baby’s growth by helping to expand the number of red blood cells that help supply her body with oxygen. Lack of iron in your baby’s diet can lead to anemia, irritability, fatigue, shortness of breath, slower growth, and learning disabilities.

Nestlé understands the nutritional needs of infants and only provides iron-fortified formulas to help support important growth and development during your baby's first year.

Meet Our Experts

The START HEALTHY, STAY HEALTHY™ Resource Center panel of experts offers practical advice, answering many questions typically asked by parents and expecting parents.

Lillian M. Beard
Lillian M. Beard, M.D. Pediatric Health

Lillian M. Beard, M.D., is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and an associate clinical professor at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She is a frequent guest expert and spokesperson on national TV programs, discussing issues related to children's health. Dr. Beard practices pediatrics in the Washington, D.C., area.

José M. Saavedra
José M. Saavedra, M.D., FAAP Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition

José M. Saavedra, M.D., a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, is a pediatric gastroenterologist with long-term experience and expertise in nutrition. Medical and Scientific Director of Nestlé Nutrition North America, Dr. Saavedra is board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, the Sub-board of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, and the American Board of Nutrition. He is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the Johns Hopkins-Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Roy M. Pitkin
Roy M. Pitkin, M.D. Prenatal Health

Roy M. Pitkin, M.D. is professor of obstetrics and gynecology and is former chairperson of the ob/gyn department at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), School of Medicine. He is a frequent advisor to national health agencies concerned with women's health issues and has received numerous international honors for this work.

Robert N. Hamburger
Robert N. Hamburger, M.D. Food Intolerances

Robert N. Hamburger, M.D. is professor of pediatrics emeritus and former head of the pediatric immunology and allergy division at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) in La Jolla, California. Professor Hamburger is a consultant and continues as an educator and clinician in the UCSD Free Clinics in San Diego and Tijuana, Baja California.

 
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