There is a big debate among parents and pediatricians regarding the best way to feed a child. The choice between breastfeeding and bottle feeding is not always made out of a nutritional need, but out of necessity. While many mothers are able to breastfeed, an equal number of women are unable or prefer not to do so. There are also families who choose to breastfeed and also supplement with infant formula. Each family will create a feeding plan that works best for their schedule and their child, but worrying about the benefits – or lack thereof should never be a factor in this important decision.

Is Infant Formula Good For Brain Development?

According to scientific research, enriched organic baby formula, including those from Europe such as Hipp and Holle, offers a similar range of brain development benefits as breast milk. It is well known that breast milk contains special nutrients that help boost an infant’s brain development, especially during the first year of life. For decades, pediatricians would insist that mothers should breastfeed exclusively or risk their child’s health. Though breast milk does contain exclusive enzymes and immune support that is not found elsewhere, brain development is not breast milk exclusive.

Research shows that infants who are exclusively fed enriched milk-based baby formula do not exhibit a significant difference from those who are exclusively fed breast milk and soy protein formulas. The report covered several infants for their entire first year of life. The study group was separated into infants who were fed cow’s milk formula, breast milk, and soy formula​. After examining the mental development of each child, along with their language development and motor skill development, all infants fell within the same range at the end of their first year. While those fed only breast milk did progress more quickly, the percentage of the advancement was not significant.

Why Is Early Brain Development Important?

Brain health and development are important for a child’s future. The brain starts growing from the moment a mother conceives. It is important to foster proper growth because the early years are the fastest stages of growth for a child’s brain. Brain development continues well into adulthood, but the first 8 years are critical. Proper nutrition, support, and stimulation during development can build the right foundation for a lifetime of success.

Factors That Determine Infant Brain Development

Brain development depends on a person’s genes as well as a few other factors. Nutrition plays a large role in a child’s early brain development, and this starts well before their birth. Exposure to toxins both during gestation and after birth also plays a role in how well a child’s brain will develop. Infections or illness can stunt development, but in many cases, this can be overcome with proper attentiveness. As a child grows, their life experiences and interactions with people around them will also play a part in their overall brain development.

Responsive care and nurturing are one of the key factors to help support healthy brain development. Both negative and positive experiences will shape a child’s brain for their entire lives. It is vitally important for parents and caregivers to provide the right nutrition, resources, and support from birth to make sure their child’s brain achieves its full potential. One of the best ways to do that is by giving your child a healthy start with healthy organic formula or breast milk.

How To Give Your Child A Healthy Start

Starting your child’s brain development off right begins during pregnancy. Eating a balanced diet that is rich in vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats will promote proper fetal growth. Taking a supplement that contains folic acid will also encourage proper brain development and a healthy nervous system. There are even critical vaccinations the mother can receive to help protect her growing baby from harmful ailments that will limit infant brain development.

Following the birth of your child, there are many ways to ensure their brain has the proper tools it needs to grow. These tools are proper infant care and nutrition. Children are more susceptible to harm from toxins, infections, chemicals, and poor diets than adults,  so it is important to make sure their meals are well balanced. Many traditional baby formulas and infant foods are full of chemicals, GMO’s and other sugars that can retard proper brain development. This is why many parents have decided to turn to organic baby formulas and European baby formulas for their infants. Making sure parents and caregivers have ample access to nutritious food sources is one of the best ways to ensure infants get the nurturing they need to thrive.

European Baby Formula – Ideal Nutrition For Developing Infants

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, breast milk is the perfect food for newborns and infants until at least their sixth month. While breastfeeding is ideal, it is not always possible for families to rely on mother’s milk alone. The American Academy of Pediatrics list formulas that are based on cow or goats milk as the second-best, and formulas based on soy proteins third.  

European baby formulas are made much differently than those in the US. Top brands such as Nanny Care, Kabrita, and Hipp among others, fortify their blends. Along with being gentle on the stomach, these fortified blends contain healthy fats, enzymes,  and DHA that encourage proper brain development. The vital omega-3 fatty acids contained in European baby formulas give parents the essential tools they need to ensure their infants develop just as well as a breastfed infant.

Final Thoughts From Mommy Formula

The choice to breastfeed, bottle-feed, or a combination of both is a personal choice each family must make on their own. There are many studies that show feeding your infant an enriched organic formula is on par with breast milk. Baby formula from Europe is further manufactured without many of the harmful chemicals, pesticides, and sugars that can harm the health of your child. Be sure to check out our blog post (here) that discusses some of the benefits and differences between local and EU brands.