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Choosing a Formula

Question

How can older-baby formulas be beneficial for my baby?

Answer

Older-baby formulas are designed to provide extra nutrition insurance for the transition to solid foods. When your baby’s too picky or too busy to eat, he may come up short on important nutrients, especially iron.

Toddlers don’t eat much meat—which could explain why almost one in 10 toddlers has an iron deficiency. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) notes that iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in the United States.

The AAP recommends avoiding cow’s milk until your baby is at least 1 year old, because cow’s milk doesn’t have the proper balance of nutrients he needs. GERBER® GOOD START® 2 formulas are nutritious alternatives to whole milk and standard infant formulas, recommended for your toddler up to 24 months of age. They offer more of important nutrients, such as iron, vitamins C & E, and zinc, than whole milk while also providing the calcium a growing toddler needs.

Standard formulas provide adequate nutrition for the first year. GERBER® GOOD START 2 formulas provide extra nutrition insurance. To learn more, about toddler formula click here.

MEET OUR EXPERTS

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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, 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, 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, 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, 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.

Nutrition insurance with toddler formula Toddler formula: Nutrition support for the 2nd year Should I add an older-baby formula to my baby’s diet?