New Formulas: Do they really make our kids smarter?

Q: I'm the mother of a healthy, active 9-month-old baby girl…Now that I'm headed back to work, I'd like to transition her to infant formula, but the choices are staggering! My pediatrician recommended Enfamil with Iron. However, I've also seen a lot of ads for formula containing DHA and ARA to "support brain and eye development". Are these formulas significantly better? – Sarah of Salem

A: You hit the nail on the head: formula choices are daunting today but your pediatrician is steering you down the right road – the tried and true, any commercial iron-fortified formula on the market.

The latest craze is to do all sorts of things to make our kids smarter, even before they are born with videos, books read to tummies, and music played during pregnancy. Not a big surprise that nutrition is on the list. However, nutrition is only one aspect of brain growth and development in kids – environment and nurturing are in the end the most important factors in the end.

Breast milk has DHA and ARA, which are fats that are important in brain growth before a baby is born. Ever since studies have shown that breast fed babies may have higher IQ’s than bottle fed babies, the hunt has been on as to if this is true and why. Keep in mind that most babies in the USA are only breast-fed for only a few months and many also have formula along with breast milk from birth. The American Academy of Pediatrics has not yet endorsed the use of these formulas in term babies because good data just does not exist that the benefit suspected plays out in reality. (Although for preemies the story is different – their brains are like those in the womb 3rd trimester, so these added fats may actually help their little brains grow). Finally, these formulas are amazingly expensive: 10-15% more than regular formula. So, the means likely do not justify the ends.

In terms of feeding infants in general, here are some basic ideas to consider:

1. If you do have plenty of breast milk, you can consider avoiding the entire formula issue by pumping and freezing milk. When she is 1 year old, you will be switching her to whole milk in any case. Just a thought.

2. Are you on a budget? Keep in mind that any ready-to-feed formula will cost more than powder. While powder is affordable and practical, all babies do not tolerate it. This is not a “scientific” fact but anecdotal from my experience and other docs and moms. Powdered formula has a very different texture than ready-made formula and can be gritty. It also has more air bubbles.

3. Be wary of anything that is marketed as the latest and greatest. We don’t have enough data with any of these “new” formulas to know that they really offer what they claim to offer. What is demonstrated in the lab may not play out in reality.

In the end, your child will do well as long as she is in a loving, nurturing, safe home – no matter what formula you choose. How smart she is and how much she achieves has a lot to do with genetics and what she is exposed to. Give her the richest, fullest life possible as a child and she will do well. Considering how little time she will be on formula compared to the rest of your life, this is not an issue I’d worry a lot about.

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