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There are many types of infant formula available in pharmacies, and mothers are often confused about choosing the most suitable one for their child, especially with the variety of brands and the quality of their products.

However, when choosing Baby Milk, an essential factor is ensuring that the formula suits your child’s specific needs. Some Baby Milk formulas are specially designed for cases of cow’s milk protein allergy or lactose intolerance, conditions that may cause gas, colic, or other digestive issues in infants.

Additionally, there are types designated for cases of infant reflux. So, how do you choose the best type of formula that suits your child?

When Does an Infant Need Formula?

Infant formula is a product intended to provide proper nutrition for children, and there may be a need to use it due to medical, social, or economic factors, such as:

• The inability of the breast to produce enough milk.

• The mother is taking medications that make breastfeeding unsafe.

• The mother is suffering from a health problem that prevents safe breastfeeding.

• Breastfeeding causes severe pain to the mother.

• The mother’s unavailability to breastfeed due to work, for example.

• The mother’s lack of interest in breastfeeding and her search for an alternative for infant nutrition.

There are also other reasons that make an infant ineligible for breastfeeding, where certain types of formula may be suitable, such as:

• A premature baby.

• The child being ill, where they may face difficulty drinking a sufficient amount if their nose is blocked and they cannot breathe well.

• The child suffers from a lip or tongue tie, which is a problem that limits the range of motion of the lips and/or tongue, making breastfeeding difficult.

• Weak muscle strength in the child, making sucking at the breast difficult for them.

• The child is suffering from an allergy or intolerance to breast milk.

Types of Infant Formula

Infant formula comes in two different forms:

• Dry powder to be mixed with water.

• Ready-to-feed liquid formula, which may be more convenient but is simultaneously more expensive and must be used more quickly once opened.

The types of formula that children may need are divided into:

1. First Infant Formula

This is the suitable formula for babies from birth. The cow's milk in this formula contains two types of proteins: whey and casein. First infant formula relies on whey protein, which is believed to be easier to digest than other types of milk.

Unless a doctor suggests otherwise, the first infant formula is sufficient for feeding the child. The child can continue to consume this milk when starting to introduce solid foods at 6 months of age, and can continue it throughout their first year.

2. Hungrier Baby Formula or Satiety Formula

This formula is also suitable for babies from birth, but it contains more casein than whey protein, and casein protein is harder for babies to digest.

Although it is often described as suitable for hungrier babies, there is no evidence that babies settle or sleep for longer when fed this type of formula.

3. Anti-reflux Formula

This formula is suitable for babies from birth but under medical supervision. This formula is thicker in order to prevent reflux in children.

Although it is available in pharmacies, it is best used only based on a doctor's advice, and the preparation instructions on the attached packaging must be followed carefully.

4. Comfort Formula (Partially Hydrolyzed)

A suitable formula for babies from birth, this type contains cow's milk proteins that have already been partially broken down.

This helps with better digestion and prevents the appearance of digestive problems such as colic and constipation. However, comfort formulas are not suitable for children who suffer from a cow's milk allergy.

5. Hypoallergenic Formula

This formula is suitable for children diagnosed with a cow's milk allergy. A doctor prescribes this formula because it contains fully hydrolyzed proteins.

This formula is suitable for babies from birth but should only be used under medical supervision.

6. Lactose-free Formula

This formula is used from birth but only under medical supervision. It is a suitable formula for children who suffer from lactose intolerance; meaning their bodies cannot absorb lactose, which is the natural sugar found in milk and dairy products.

This type is considered the best infant formula recommended by doctors for children with lactose intolerance, whose symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, gas, and bloating.

7. Goats' Milk Formula

Various types of goat's milk formula are available in pharmacies, and this milk is produced with the same nutritional standards as cow's milk formula.

Goat's milk formula is also suitable from birth, and its composition is less likely to cause allergies in children compared to cow's milk formula.

Generally, goat's milk formula is not suitable for infants with a cow's milk allergy because the proteins in both are very similar.

8. Soy Formula

Soy formula is suitable for children from 6 months of age but under medical supervision. This formula is made from soybeans rather than cow's milk and is sometimes used as an alternative to cow's milk formula for children with cow's milk allergy. However, soy formula is more likely than cow's milk to cause damage to the child's teeth, so this formula should not be used unless prescribed by your doctor.

What is the Best Infant Formula That Resembles Breast Milk?

In fact, no formula can completely replicate breast milk. However, some options contain ingredients that are closer to human breast milk. The best Baby Milk products are those formulated with Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs), which are prebiotics naturally found in breast milk that help support digestion and enhance nutrient absorption in infants.

Additionally, formulas closest to breast milk contain DHA, ARA, fats, and vitamins in a way that mimics what is found in breast milk.

What is the Best Infant Formula That Does Not Cause Gas?

There is no specific type of milk that is best for infants to avoid gas, but some specialized formulas may help reduce gas or colic by containing a specialized composition, such as:

• Comfort Formula: It still contains the proteins found in milk (casein or whey), but they are broken down into smaller, easier-to-digest proteins.

• Lactose-free Formula: Prescribed by a doctor for children who cannot digest lactose. This formula uses glucose or sucrose instead of lactose, which reduces digestive disturbances.

What is the Best Type of Infant Milk from the Pharmacy?

AlJawaher AlMutamayza Pharmacies provide various types of infant formula for different age stages and different needs, such as lactose-free, hypoallergenic and others, in addition to a special selection of Baby Milk offers.

1. Similac Gold No. 1, 800g

Similac Gold No. 1 is a cow's milk-based infant formula suitable for infants from birth up to 6 months. It is developed with HMOs, making it more similar to breast milk, and meets the full nutritional needs of infants.

2. Abbott Similac Gold No. 2, 800g

Similac Gold No. 2 is a cow's milk-based formula suitable for infants from 6 to 12 months. It is developed with HMOs, making it more similar to breast milk, and meets full nutritional needs.

3. Similac Gold No. 3, 800g

Similac Gold No. 3 is a formula for children from 1 to 3 years old, based on cow's milk. It is developed with HMOs, making it more similar to breast milk, and meets full nutritional needs.

4. Cute Baby Organic Goat Milk No. 1 400g

Cute Baby Organic Goat Milk No. 1 is suitable for infants from birth up to 6 months. It contains goat proteins, which are easier to digest, and contains sugars similar to breast milk sugars.

5. ISICARE MILK Nutritional Formula for Infants up to 12 Months 400g

ISICARE MILK is a nutritional formula for infants up to 12 months, containing 100% partially hydrolyzed whey protein. This makes it a suitable choice for children suffering from digestive disturbances such as gas or colic, but it is used under medical supervision.

6. Aptamil Pepti Junior Infant Formula 400g

Aptamil Pepti Junior is a nutritional formula for infants up to 12 months, suitable for cases of cow's milk protein allergy and malabsorption. A doctor must be consulted before use.

7. Biomil Plus Lactose-Free Milk 400g

Biomil Plus Lactose-Free is for infants up to 12 months, suitable for children with lactose intolerance who face difficulty digesting lactose, the natural sugar found in breast milk.

8. Biomil Plus AR Infant Formula 400g

Biomil Plus AR is an infant formula for babies up to 12 months, suitable for cases of reflux; it meets the nutritional needs of infants and treats reflux.