Whether it’s your first time being a parent or you’re a caregiver, choosing baby formula for your little bundle of joy can get overwhelming at times. You want to make sure that your baby is getting the nutrition that is required by an infant’s body for proper growth and development.
Today, there are numerous baby formula variants available in the market, which makes it even more challenging for you to select the best one for your child. You need to look for the one baby formula that does it all.
This guide will walk you through the different stages of infant formula, how to read the labels, and how to determine which one is most suitable for your baby.
What are the stages of infant formula?
Infant formulas have been broadly categorised into stages based on the age of the baby at the time of consumption. Each stage is designed to meet the nutritional needs of your infant at a particular age level. They are given as follows:
Stage 1 (Birth to 6 months):
The Stage 1 Formula is designed to meet the nutritional needs of newborns and infants from birth to six months. These are essential months of rapid growth and development of the child, requiring special foods. It contains a proper mixture of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, truly acting as breast milk, so that newborns start with the perfect nutrition.
Stage 2 (6 months onward):
The Stage 2 formula is designed for babies six months old and above, when their nutritional requirements begin to shift as they start solids. It provides a complete and fortified dietary profile to meet the needs of infants during this critical time of growth and development. It contains slightly higher levels of protein and other essential nutrients for strong muscle development and sustained energy throughout the day.
Stage 3 (from 12 months or older):
The Stage 3 Formula is often referred to as ‘toddler milk’ or ‘young child formula’. By the time you start with this stage of infant formulas, your child must be getting most of the nutrients from solid foods, too. Therefore, this formula is more akin to a supplement rather than a core nutrition.
In Canada, some brands offer Pre or Pre-Stage formulas. Such formulas are put to use for babies who are premature or have low birthweight. Other variants include HA (hypoallergenic), Anti-Reflux (AR), Sensitive/Comfort, or Goat Milk.
HiPP and its formula stages on Formuland Canada
Formuland Canada offers HiPP stages of infant formula. Since 1932, HiPP Formula Canada has been a family-owned company and farm that offers stages 1, 2, and 3, along with specialized formulations such as HA (hypoallergenic), anti-reflux, and Sensitive for babies with sensitive tummies. HiPP Bio Kindermilch and HiPP Goodnight are also available for older children.
HiPP also provides the following three variants in baby formula:
1: HiPP UK
- It is produced in the UK and packaged in Germany.
- The main ingredient in the formula is organic skim milk from cows.
- It also contains Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS). It is a type of prebiotic fibre based on organic lactose that supports the growth of a healthy gut flora.
- It is starch-free and does not contain any probiotics.
2: HiPP Dutch:
- It is manufactured in Germany and packaged in the Netherlands.
- The main component of the formula is organic skim milk.
- It also contains Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and is free from starch.
- It has been enhanced with Lactobacillus fermentum hereditum®, a naturally occurring probiotic lactic acid that was initially isolated from genuine breast milk.
3: HiPP German
- It is made and packaged in Germany.
The base of the formula is organic skim milk from cows.
- It also contains Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and Lactobacillus fermentum hereditum®.
- It contains two starch-free options: HiPP Stage PRE and HiPP Stage 2 No Starch.
How are stages regulated and used in Canada?
As set by Health Canada, all infant formula sold in Canada must meet nutrition standards encompassing levels of iron, vitamins, essential fats, and other essential minerals above those classified as minimum. Each formula must be examined as to its safety and nutritional adequacy before being marketed.
The labels 1, 2, and 3 provide the age ranges.
Many parents use Stage 1 up to 6 months, Stage 2 for up to a year, and then Stage 3 for further growth and development of their child.
Tips for choosing the right stage
Consider the following tips to make sure that you’re choosing the right stage for your baby:
- Always go by age and readiness, not just label: If your baby is still under 6 months of age but is ready to have solids, you can introduce solids while giving Stage 1 simultaneously unless advised otherwise.
- Watch for digestion signals: Gas, spitting up, and fussiness are usually indicators that your infant’s formula isn’t suitable for your baby. In such a case, you could opt for Sensitive, HA, or Anti-Reflux stages of infant formula.
- Check with your paediatrician: No one can guide you better than your baby’s paediatrician. They can better suggest whether you need to switch stages or stick to them.
- Transition carefully: Do not directly transition from one baby formula to another. Mix the two stages and gradually stop giving the previous one. This lets your baby’s digestive system adjust to the new formula.
Conclusion
There is a variety of infant formulas to choose from. Ensure you closely follow this guide to select the one that’s best for your baby. It is essential to give them the best possible start. Ready to choose the best formula for your baby? Head over to Formuland Canada today!
FAQs
Q1: Is the Stage 3 formula necessary?
Not necessarily. Stage 3 is more of a “toddler milk” and essentially becomes optional, especially if your toddler is getting enough nutrition from a variety of solid foods. Of course, toddler milk will help with nutrient intake, but it is not mandatory if their diet is balanced.
Q2: Do I have to boil water to mix the formula?
Yes. And under Health Canada guidance, even for older babies, you can boil, let cool and mix formula. That is and always will be the best way to kill germs, whatever that may be.