Raise with Care:

A Parenting Blog

To introduce formula to a breastfed baby, begin with one formula feed at a time and make further changes gradually. Offer the bottle when your baby is calm, use a slow-flow nipple, and continue breastfeeding or expressing milk during the feeds you want to maintain. When possible, it may be easier to add formula after […]

Goat milk and cow milk infant formulas marketed in the U.S. are formulated to meet FDA nutrient and safety requirements, and neither is universally better than the other. The FDA sets strict standards for nutrients, safety, and manufacturing that every formula sold must meet.  .  The two formula bases differ mainly in their protein, fat, […]

Regulatory review note: Avoid implying disease prevention, superior intelligence, guaranteed developmental outcomes, FDA endorsement, or equivalence to breastmilk. Formula can help support normal infant brain growth by providing nutrients the developing brain and nervous system need during infancy. Understanding what baby formula is made of can help parents see how nutrients such as DHA, ARA, […]

Most babies can wean off infant formula at around 12 months old, once they are eating a good variety of solid foods and growing well. This guidance is general and does not replace advice from your child’s pediatrician. Transition gradually to whole cow’s milk, or an appropriate fortified, unsweetened dairy alternative recommended by your pediatrician, […]

Possible signs of dehydration in babies can include fewer wet diapers, a dry mouth, reduced feeding, and changes in energy or behavior. More concerning signs—such as difficulty waking, reduced responsiveness, sunken eyes or soft spot, breathing trouble, or abnormal skin color—require urgent medical attention. Because infants can lose fluid quickly, caregivers should contact a pediatrician […]

Parents may choose organic formula because they value certified ingredient sourcing, non-GMO production standards, and USDA requirements for how dairy and other agricultural ingredients are produced. Organic formula can be a reasonable choice for families who prioritize those production practices, but organic certification is not required for safe or complete infant nutrition. All infant formulas […]