Organic vs non-organic products has been one of the most discussed topics in the US for the last several years. When it comes to adults, every person decides for themselves whether to pay extra for organic food, grow fruit and veggies in their garden, or just buy ordinary groceries. But for our babies, we want only the best. So, a question #1 here: Is organic baby formula worth the money we pay for it? Let’s talk about the pros and cons of organic infant foods so that you can decide for yourself whether to buy organic formula for your little one.
Table of Contents
Pros of organic baby formula
- Organic baby formulas are safe for babies. To be certified as organic baby food, formulas undergo many rounds of testing regarding the whole process of their production. So, concerned parents can be sure they’re offering their precious little ones only the best nutrition. Organic baby milk is free of GMOs, hormones, antibiotics, and various harmful substances that are often present in low-quality non-organic formulas. There are many rules, especially for European organic baby formulas, the manufacturers have to follow to be able to sell their products. You should know that receiving the EU Organic Certificate requires manufacturers to use 95% of organic ingredients and the other 5% must follow additional strict conditions set by the EU. So, when you’re buying baby formula labeled as “organic”, you can be certain of its contents.
- Organic infant milk is similar in composition to breast milk. Especially pre-formula / stage 1 formula, specifically created for newborns and infants (from 0 to 6 months). In cases when breastfeeding is impossible, the next best option is organic baby food. The best organic baby formulas will provide your little one with all the nutrients a baby needs for normal development.
- Organic infant and baby foods are rich in nutrients. There is a golden rule saying – breast milk is the best nutrition for a baby. But the amount of macro and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, protein, etc) depends on the mother’s ratio a lot, so if she’s lacking these things in her blood, the child doesn’t get enough of them as well. With baby formula, the situation is more controlled and secure – it contains everything a baby needs and in the right amounts. Manufacturers make sure the ingredients of their products are optimally balanced.
- Organic formulas won’t transfer disease to your baby. Animal milk for organic infant formula is thoroughly tested, as are the cows and goats themselves, to exclude any contamination. The chances to transfer a disease to your baby from a sick animal are practically zero. Unlike non-organic baby foods that follow a lot less strict rules to get on the market. Also, organic formulas are free of hormones and antibiotics because organic farming allows to use them only in exceptional cases, while ordinary farmers often overindulge in potent medication with their cattle.
Cons of organic baby formula
- Higher price. The main drawback of organic formulas is that they’re more expensive than non-organic baby foods. The high price is well-grounded (the manufacturers invest more money in the production, organic farming has higher expenses, extra tests and regulations require more effort from a manufacturer, and so on), although not every family can afford to feed their baby with organic formula only. For those parents whose budget cannot cover more costly baby foods regularly, a good option is to buy organic formula at least once in a while. Or you can ask your child’s pediatrician or nutrition specialist for advice regarding the most favorable baby formula for your little one.
Organic formula for infants and older babies. For how long should you feed your child with organic baby food?
According to the European Commission, baby formulas are designed to satisfy the nutritional requirements of babies under 12 months of age. Also, you should know that there are 2 types of formula: infant formula (for 0-6 months old babies) and follow-on formula (for 6-month-old babies and older). Infant formula is also called “pre-formula” or “stage 1 formula”, while follow-on formula includes 3 stages and can be called “second milk” or “toddler milk”. The ingredients of these two types of baby nutrition differ, so parents should choose the proper product for their precious one.
With 4 formula stages, it can be hard for some parents to understand when and how to make this transition from one stage to another so that you don’t have to throw away unused boxes of formula. Some baby food manufacturers offer transition kits for those infants approaching these transition periods (6 and 9 months of age). If that’s your case, one of the options is Lebenswert BIO Stage 1 / 2 Transition Kit or Lebenswert BIO Stage 2 / 3 Transition Kit.
Both infant formula and follow-on formula can be organic or non-organic. It’s up to you which to choose, we’ve already listed the pros and cons of organic baby formula above. There are no age limitations in using organic infant food, just pick the right stage formula to provide your baby with the nutrition he/she needs.
Conclusion
So, is organic baby formula worth the money you pay for it? Definitely. We’ve listed the pros and cons of giving your baby organic first milk and second milk. As you can see, there are more pros to it, and the only prominent drawback is the price tag of organic baby formula. But by paying more for it, you can be certain of the quality and healthiness of your child’s food. Organic formula is the next best option after breast milk, as it’s very similar in composition to breast milk.
