There are many of us out there who feel strongly about modern farming techniques and the use of Organic foods in our diets. The market for organic baby formula is growing, and here are some ways that certified organic formulas differ from others that are out there.
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Organic Formulas Offer Unique Options For Parents
Like all baby formula in the United States, Organic formulas have to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration. On top of this, these particular formulas must meet some stringent standards to be stamped as certified organic.
The “Certified Organic” label isn’t just a marketing scheme to lure in parents with ethical issues surrounding Big Farming in the United States; some experts say that babies who have problems with the immune system, or babies with endocrine problems might do better on organic formula, as any trace of commercial pesticide, however minuscule, could be problematic to those children.
Organic formulas offer options that are goat milk-based. Goat milk has long been found to go easier on the GI tracts of adults who suffer from lactose intolerance, making goat milk formula a good choice for infants. Some kinds of organic milk have additives meant to make the formula more like breast milk, such as added DHA, ARA, prebiotics, probiotics, and whey protein. While most pediatricians would agree that breast milk is the best way to go if it is possible, these additions that are unique to organic brands might be a nice substitute.
Fans of organic formula say that more attention is paid to things like vitamin content in organic options, and this will help babies get the most nutrition possible from a formula. Similarly, the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids and Omega-3 fatty acids in organic formulas are said to aid mental development, and could potentially give organically fed formula babies a leg up on good mental health in the future, including a possible reduction in behavioral problems later in life.
Children who have specific allergies or medical problems might have an organic formula available to address their particular issues. Babies with recurrent GERD (reflux when feeding) can try an organic anti-reflux formula to try to make feeding times less traumatic with better nutrition for them. Babies with other GI issues like chronic constipation or diarrhea can have their problem addressed with an organic formula for both problems. As stated above, some common allergies that babies have are covered by specific formulations of organic Baby Formula.
They Don’t Contain GMOs, Among Other Things
Just like Certified Organic dairy or any other Certified Organic product in the United States, organic baby formula is made using raw materials that are registered Certified Organic, with approved processing aids. This means as well as being free of GMO ingredients, that the manufacturer has to comply with the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances, which means that certain preservatives, flavorings, or other additives that are on that list will not be in organic formula.
No Synthetic Ingredients
One other reason parents opt for organic formula is that none of the organic varieties of formula contain any synthetic ingredients. Some non-organic formulas contain artificial sweeteners, and there are those who believe that they can cause gastrointestinal distress to a developing newborn, including potentially painful episodes of diarrhea or constipation.
Cost
The downside to organic baby formula, not unlike a diet in the United States of all certified organic meat, dairy and produce, is a significantly higher cost per bottle as the non-organic options. Experts impolore new parents not to choose organic formula if there is a possibility of underfeeding the baby in question, choosing smaller portions to stay organic because it is cost-prohibitive to feed as recommended. Having a healthy, fully fed baby is a much better alternative than having a certified organically fed, underfed and underweight baby.
