New parents are familiar with getting little sleep, middle-of-the-night feedings and round-the-clock supervision of infants. The term “fussy” is often used with babies who experience gastrointestinal distress, bloating, spitting up, constipation or diarrhea after eating. Crying and inability to sleep after eating are hallmarks that the infant formula being used may not be sitting well with the child.
Babies tend to have very sensitive stomachs and don’t often tolerate a large variety of things. Here are some current formula options for your baby:
- Standard formula - Uses cow milk proteins that are modified to more closely match breast milk. It usually contains lactose and assorted minerals.
- Soy-based formula - For infants who can’t tolerate cow-milk based formulas, soy-based formulas are available. These formulas generally do not contain lactose and rely on soy protein for nutritional benefits.
- Hypoallergenic formulas - Available for children with cow’s milk allergies and experience wheezing or skin rashes from general allergies.
- Formula supplemented with prebiotics - Prebiotics are designed to help with constipation and support digestive tract health. Researchers are currently investigating the development and use of new infant formulas supplemented with prebiotics to reduce fussiness and gastrointestinal issues.