Imagine a World Where Men Had to Breastfeed Their Babies

When I finally got home and found that my baby had been happily guzzling formula and was fine, instead of feeling relief, I cried. By feeding him formula, I felt, I had failed him on some level. That now seems ridiculous, but at every turn, formula had been framed to me as a distant second best, a somewhat shameful option you turn to only as a last resort.

Allergy-proof? Intelligence booster? FDA looks to rein in health claims for baby formula

If you’ve ever seen the astonishing array of infant formula sold in supermarkets, you might wonder if the stuff can really make your baby smarter, allergy-proof, or less colicky, as advertised. The Food and Drug Administration wonders the same thing.

Breast Milk Is Best for Newborns, but the Bottle Is Fine, Too

It is generally acknowledged within the medical community that breast milk is the ideal first food for babies, although modern formula brands can also get the job done

Breast Milk Studies May Lead to Better Probiotics, Baby Formula

Understanding how the components of breast milk interact with a baby's gut microbiome could also help scientists design better infant formulas, or even design pro- or prebiotics that could steer the microbiome toward a healthier profile, Hinde added.

Breastfeeding May Protect Babies from Arsenic Exposure

The powder and water used to make baby formula may be sources of arsenic, which occurs naturally in the environment and in large doses is linked to serious health problems.

DHA and ARA in Infant Formula

Dangerous and unnecessary—synthetic additives have no place in infant foods.

How New Marketing is Helping Solve an Industry's Image Problem

Baby formula has an image problem. And it’s been hotly debated around the world for decades. Sales of baby formula in the U.S. have fallen alongside the nation’s birthrate -- and an upsurge in breastfeeding, according to Reuters. And the World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding until at least age 2. So what’s an infant formula company to do?

Hydrolyzed Protein Infant Formulas Don't Prevent Allergies or Autoimmune Diseases

There was no consistent evidence that use of partially or completely hydrolyzed formulas decreased the risk of babies having allergic or autoimmune reactions. And the babies examined were at higher than usual risk of such outcomes.

Infant formula and responsive bottle feeding

This simple, concise guide provides formula-feeding parents with a quick overview on how to choose your infant formula.

Shortchanging a Baby's Microbiome

C-sections and formula feeding could be interfering with a critical biological process.

The Baby Formula Barometer

Mainly, Chinese parents want to ensure that the formula they are feeding their babies has never been touched by a Chinese company. The reason is obvious. In 2008, six babies died and some 300,000 became ill after their mothers fed them baby milk products that were tainted with the chemical melamine. Ever since, Chinese mothers haven’t trusted domestically made baby milk products — starting with formula.

The Difference Between Powder, Concentrated Liquid, and Ready-to-Use Formulas

Which preparation of formula is best for your baby -- and your new mom lifestyle?

The dos and don’ts of safe formula feeding

Feed your baby formula safely with tips from lactation consultant Teresa Pitman.

The Problems With (Convenient, Cheap) Powdered Baby Formula

It might make feeding your infant easier than the alternatives, but there are at least three different ways it can become contaminated.

What Does ‘Organic’ Mean for Baby Formula?

The biggest surprise was that in many of the formulas, the main ingredient was not milk, but highly processed, refined sweeteners (often listed as organic glucose syrup solids).

Creating a Better Formula

“Breast is best,” but could the alternatives ever be almost as good?

What should I know about infant formula?

Keep in mind that formula (like a medication) comes with its own set of risks, and parents need to be aware of these so they can make an informed decision on its use. The use of formula can shorten the breastfeeding relationship, and comes with increased health risks for baby and mother.