Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Stages

The best baby formula ingredients for sensitive stomachs

By

What is most important is that you feed your baby, in whatever form that comes in. If you go with a formula, it could be trial and error before you find one that your baby likes. You may also find out that your little one has a sensitive stomach.

If that’s the case, you have to be really careful what kind of formula and foods you feed your baby. The wrong formula could really upset their little stomach, which could lead to long sleepless nights for you as parents. There are some ingredients to look out for in your baby’s formula, good and bad.

Mother kissing her baby
Miramiska/Shutterstock

The symptoms

First, you need to be on the lookout for signs that your little one has a sensitive stomach.

Recommended Videos

If your baby is crying for no reason after a feed and is extremely gassy, they might have a sensitive stomach. Yes, it could only be gas, but if it’s frequent and constant, it could be their stomach. If your baby is spitting up all of the time, that could also be a sign. Again, babies spit up all of the time, but you are looking for a constant spit-up schedule.

Related

If your baby cannot keep formula down and is constantly throwing it up, they could have a sensitive tummy. It’s their body’s way of telling them to stop trying to force it down. They’ll also be cranky and angry during feedings because they’re hungry, but they know this will only make it worse in other ways.

Ingredients you want

If you, or your baby’s pediatrician, wants you to try a different formula, there are a few ingredients you want to look for:

  • Iron: No matter what formula you go with, make sure it is iron-fortified. You want to prevent anemia from the start.
  • LLG probiotics: This helps with your baby’s digestion of the formula and helps cut down on the amount of gas they might have. It’s also good if you don’t know if your baby has any allergies yet.
  • 2-FL HMO: If you can find a baby formula with this in it, and you can afford to get it, it’s worth it. This prebiotic is the same that is found in breast milk. This is super important in helping to raise your baby’s immune system.
  • DHA and Choline: These nutrients are naturally found in breast milk, so it’s great for your baby to have these in their formula. These help your baby develop cognitive function so they can hit their fun little milestones.
  • Omega 6 ARA and Omega 3 DHA: These fatty acids are great for your baby as well. They are also found in breast milk and are important for eye and brain development.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Ingredients you don’t want

There are also ingredients you should avoid to help keep your baby’s tummy safe.

  • Lactose level: Your baby may be lactose intolerant or have a sensitivity to lactose. Check the formula to see whether it has lactose or not.
  • Mineral oil: While it’s not a bad thing for you as an adult, mineral oil can be terrible for a baby to ingest. Mineral oil can act as a laxative, and it would be hazardous to a baby’s health to have bad diarrhea.
  • Faux iron: While your baby does need real iron, faux iron is different. It’s hard for a baby’s stomach to absorb it, which can be dangerous.
  • Sugar and carbs: Sugar at such a young age isn’t good because it can lead to childhood obesity. If you introduce sugar too early, you can set your baby up for wanting sugary foods later. While carbs aren’t terrible, you should limit the amount your baby has. They could also lead to weight gain in the future.

It might be tedious to do but go through the ingredient list on formulas before buying. Make sure they don’t have the bad stuff in them. What you want to focus on is the good stuff. Try to get as close as you can to finding a balance you are comfortable with.

It might take a few tries to find a formula that won’t upset your little one’s stomach. If you can’t afford to buy a few different ones, talk to your pediatrician or your OBGYN. They will usually have plenty of samples you can try to find the right one without wasting a ton of money. If you find one that your baby likes and can keep down, see if they have any coupons. It never hurts to ask.

Good luck in finding a formula your little one can enjoy. Remember, the important thing is that your baby is eating. Don’t worry if their food is coming from you or a store. Either way, you’re doing great!

Meanwhile, if you’re looking for solutions to constipation in formula-fed babies, just read on further.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Dannielle Beardsley
Dannielle Beardsley
Contributor
Dannielle has written for various websites, online magazines, and blogs. She loves everything celebrity and her favorite…
Baby drool rash: What you need to know about this common occurrance
Here's what to do about drool rash
Cute baby drooling

If you're noticing a red bumpy rash on your baby's chin or cheeks, you could be dealing with a drool rash. Many babies have a drool rash at one time or another. A drool rash is caused by saliva sitting on baby's delicate skin. The rash is caused by a baby's drool.

Of course, drooling is a common occurrence for babies. Most babies drool, especially when teething. Sometimes drooling happens during sleep. So, what can you do to prevent a drool rash or treat it if your baby has one? Is a drool rash something to call the doctor about? We've got everything you need to know about this common problem most parents deal with at some point with their little ones.
Drool rash

Read more
Baby refusing solid foods? Here’s why, and what you can do about it
Understanding your baby's resistance to solid foods
Woman feeding baby in a high chair

Introducing solid foods to your baby is an exciting time. It's a milestone that may go smoothly for some, but not quite as simple for others. If your little one wants nothing to do with these new foods, you may desperately be looking for answers as to why they're refusing solid food options.
We know that sourpuss not-having-it face all too well. And if that mini-me of yours wants nothing to do with the spoon, the bib, or the puree in front of them, a power struggle will ensue -- and, spoiler alert: You are not going to win. Nevertheless, it can be distressing for parents when their little bottle-chugging sweetheart goes on a solids strike (or incessantly spits, gags, and cries!). Fortunately, it's usually not a cause for concern: there could be several factors at play to cause the issue of baby refusing solid foods. Here are a few common reasons why your baby might be rejecting your feeding attempts -- and some gentle ways to coax them to eat a bit more.

Baby is just not ready yet

Read more
6-month milestones: What to expect
Everything you need to know about 6-month baby milestones
A baby sitting up looking at the camera

As babies approach the sixth-month mark, you are almost to their first half-birthday. This is an exciting and a fun time in your infant's development. That sixth-month checkup is right around the corner, so you may be wondering about what milestones your baby is reaching.

Milestones are those wonderful accomplishments your baby makes, like smiling for the first time and clapping their hands. Baby milestones are important markers for your little one's development. This is why your pediatrician will ask you about them during well visits. So, what exactly are the 6-month milestones parents should expect to see from their baby around their half-birthday?
6-month milestones

Read more