Which Organic Formula?

[Mom to M&M]

So my SIL just had twin girls(!) and is looking into organic formulas. Actually I'm trying to convince her on it because I feel strongly about milk with growth hormones and antibiotics. We nixed Similac Organic because the main ingredient is cane sugar (yuck) and are looking at either Earth's Best organic or Baby's Only Organic. I lean toward the Baby's Only because I like that it does not contain C. cohnii oil (algae) & M. alpina oil (fungus) used in some other organic infant formulas, which are treated with hexane solvent, acid, and bleach. I also like that it has no corn syrup or solids (my own DD reacted badly to corn starch as an infant) and no palm olean oil.

The other real main difference with the two seems to be how they are sweetened. Earth's Best uses lactose, Baby's Only uses brown rice syrup. I know breast milk is so sweet because of all the lactose, correct? So then is it better to use a formula with lactose? Do you think the brown rice syrup is ok for a newborn/digestive system? Her Ped looked over the ingredients of both and OK'd either in terms of nutritional value.

TIA - will help as well since at some point DH and I would like to have another child and since I can't BF...

[* Paula *]

Sorry I don't know much about Organic formulas, but wanted to bump your post up.....

[binxyboo]

Congrats to your SIL!!!
Is she going to join BW?

No idea about formulas, is she formula feeding exclusively, or combination feeding with breastmilk?

[Mom to M&M]

Unfortunately she's formula feeding exclusively. Going to work on getting her to join us though!

[Mom to M&M]

OK so on a related note, I spoke with my GYN specialist today. She is concerned that breastfeeding (should we get pregnant again) would make my existing condition of a very dry vagina (TMI) combined with very low Vit D (I'm on high supplements) worse. As such I may have no choice but to formula feed again if we come to that. So I'm revisiting this topic idea for myself.

I am leaning toward the Nature's One/Baby's Only - mainly because it is the only organic formula NOT to contain Martek's DHA/ARA (which is chemically processed/treated and can lead to digestive issues). Instead it contains more of the precursors for the body to make its own DHA/ARA. Only question is about the brown rice issue. As said above, the main ingredient is organic brown rice syrup which is the main source of carbohydrate. It is also one of the main natural sweeteners, along with naturally occurring lactose. Do you think that is OK for a newborn to digest?

[* Paula *]

I have done some reading on the internet on Natures One, and from what I can see it says it is not recommended for infants under 12 months of age.  It suggests consulting your doctor or healthcare professional if you wish to use it for infants less than 12 months of age.

Sorry I could not be of more help.

[Mom to M&M]

Paula - apparently it only says that because (1) the company is trying to encourage breastfeeding for a year and (2) because it is much  harder to get approval as an infant formula than as a toddler formula. But apparently it contains everything infants need as well (right amounts of fats, proteins, carbs, etc).

[Mom2katiebug]

Wow Karen!  That's a lot of information.  I can only suggest that you (1) get the peds approval which is sounds like SIL has; and (2) try both of them.  I was leaning towards the Baby Only as I read through, but I can't really say why.  I'd try both for a week or so and see how baby tolerates them. 

Sorry I don't know much about this...

[* Paula *]

Thanks, I did not know that.   

[Mom to M&M]

Thanks - just so frustrating because it's like neither choice is really ideal - I like the Baby's Only a lot as long as it's ok for newborns - the Earth's Best would be fine if not for the chemically produced DHA/ARA...

[Mom2katiebug]

On the DHA/ARA...I may be confusing things, but aren't they they the same as or derived from Omega Oils?  Could you get a blend and add it to the formula - oh, wait, I guess that would only be a solution if you could get the formula without DHA/ARA.  (A birth club mom supplemented with formula and her ped suggested for cost savings to buy the non-DHA/ARA formula and supplement with a high quality supplement of, I think, Omega Oils.)

Karen - I think you're a great resource on this front.   If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend The Ominvore's Dilemma.  I think you'll find it VERY eye opening. 

[Mom to M&M]

Thanks Katie, I keep meaning to read that book!

I haven't seen ANY organic formulas that don't use Martek's AHA/DRA other than the Baby's Only. And I also like that the Baby's Only doesn't use palm oil or palm oleinic oil... Just have to make sure the organic brown rice syrup is OK. Of course I have time...

[Mom2katiebug]

Are there other formulas that you can order online (versus what may be available at Whole Foods, a local coop or some other local retailer?)  Maybe there is a 'perfect' product other there?  I'll keep an eye out when I read some of the local publications they have in the Seattle area and let you know if I find anything. 

[Mom to M&M]

Haven't seen anything else locally or online... Definitely keep me posted, thanks!

How are you and Katie doing?

[Mom2katiebug]

We're good.  She's sleeping better than she has historically.  We just went through a great sleep phase that lasted about a month.  Can I say "heaven"!!!  We're back to rocky sleep, but it's usually just one or two wakeups.  She's such a fun little kid though, I really can't complain.  I'd take it all and do it all again exactly the same.  I had a miscarriage at 18weeks in May so we're still reeling from that, but are cautiously thinking baby again, so we may very well be doing the same research you are!  After reading Omnivore I definitely look at all food differently and can think of so many things I'd do differently. But as Maya Angelou says, "When you know better you do better."