
As a new parent, your newborn’s health is likely your top concern. But where do you turn if your baby isn’t taking his or her new formula? If you are wondering about natural alternatives to baby formula then read.
Believe it or not, there are natural alternatives to baby formula that many parents simply don’t know about. And this is largely because the baby formula market receives most of the attention, and has the capital for broader advertising campaigns.
Perhaps you’ve tried breastfeeding and you weren’t successful. Or maybe you tried to give your newborn the formula recommended by his or her pediatrician but your child simply isn’t eating it, or it’s not agreeing with them. No matter the situation, you do have a few natural options to consider.
The truth is, there are several natural alternatives to baby formula on the market today. And you may be surprised at how your newborn responds to a new formula.
Here, we’ll explore a few of these natural alternatives. But as always, ask your pediatrician before placing your baby on any new formula.
Rice Milk
You may have heard of rice formula or rice meal as one of the many products that parents use to wean babies off of breastmilk or formula. But rice milk itself is also a great, natural alternative to many baby formulas on the market today.
Unlike most formulas, rice milk is essentially a combination of rice and water and is known for its mild flavor and texture, which many babies can consume with ease.
Rice milk is also often used as an alternative for babies who might be allergic to cow’s milk–a primary source of nutrition that many newborn babies are fed. But for preterm babies, cow’s milk can be dangerous.
In fact, studies have shown that cow’s milk formula increases the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a severe and life-threatening condition that premature children can quickly develop. And if your baby has recently been fed cow’s milk formula and has suffered from NEC, you should contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers to pursue a legal suit.
Coconut Milk
Believe it or not, but yes there is another great use for coconuts. And though you’ve probably heard of the coconut oil craze, and coconut is part of many of the best recipes, coconut milk is actually also a great substitute for formula.
When feeding a baby coconut milk, most parents add liquid calcium and other vitamins simply because coconut milk doesn’t include the vital calcium that babies require to develop bones and muscles. But coconut milk is a great source of lauric acid–the fatty acid which is found in a mother’s breast milk.
Additionally, coconut milk is a non-dairy solution. And this makes it a great alternative for babies who may have allergies to dairy products, or for those who cannot properly digest other types of formula.
Further, if you’re an advocate of plant-based nutrition, coconut milk is the preferred solution for both vegan and vegetarian parents who wish to raise their children without the use of animal byproducts.
Hemp Milk
Once again, believe it or not, hemp also has a million-and-one uses. And don’t worry, hemp milk won’t have your baby feeling any euphoric effects common with certain cannabis products.
Organic hemp milk contains a great deal of vitamins and minerals such as follows:
- Omega 6
- Omega 3
- Omega 9
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Calcium
- Iron
- Zinc
In addition to the aforementioned essential vitamins, hemp milk also contains essential fatty acids and nutrients. And this product is also free of sugar, cholesterol, soy, and gluten.
Hemp milk is another great alternative for those who prefer plant-based diets. However, since hemp milk is a relatively new addition to the arsenal of formula alternatives, many parents use both coconut milk and hemp milk to ensure that nutritional needs are met.
Before You Try Natural Alternatives To Baby Formula
It’s important to remember that experimenting with your child’s health is not recommended. And any decisions that you make regarding your child’s nutrition should be part of a discussion with your doctor or your child’s pediatrician.
Further, there are many organic alternatives to baby formula on the market today. But depending on your child’s needs, finding the right formula might seem a bit overwhelming. As such, discussing your child’s nutritional needs with a pediatrician as well as getting a second or third opinion on the matter may open the door to new alternatives that you haven’t yet considered.
We all want our children to grow up healthy and strong. And beginning nutrition plays a critical role in your child’s overall health. Just remember that alternatives do exist, but be sure to also seek out expert advice.
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