By Blythe Copeland
Great Neck, NY, USA | Tue Nov 03 11:00:00 GMT 2009
So you've stocked your nursery with eco-friendly linens, green diapers, and glass-only baby bottles—plus you've already figured out which brand of baby food you'll be spooning into that little mouth when teeth start coming in. But what is your baby going to eat in his pre-sweet potato days?
Doctors and authorities including the World Health Organization recommend breast milk for the first six months, but for mom's night out or for those times when it is the only option, try these organic formulas. Each contains the vitamins, minerals, and fats similar to those found in breast milk—including DHA and ARA, acids shown to aid in brain and vision development. Have a fussy baby? Several come in soy versions that can help with lactose intolerance. One note: Choose powdered formula when you can, as it's less likely to pick up BPA that can leech from the liners of metal containers.
Why We Like It: Baby's Only Organic Dairy Formula from Nature's One was the country's first organic baby formula—and though it's labeled a toddler formula, that's to encourage breastfeeding; it's safe for babies, too.
Eco-Factor: Nature's One promises to include only organic ingredients—without corn syrup or other non-dairy additions—and gets its milk from organic family farms.
Soy Option: Yes
Where: Nature's One
How Much: $10
Photo courtesy of Nature's One
Why We Like It: Similac Organic Infant Formula joins the rest of the company's popular powders, which include varieties to support your baby's immune system, prevent gas, and soothe stomachs—as an eco-friendly (and kosher) option from a respected company.
Eco-Factor: Similac's formula is USDA-certified for its organic ingredients, which contain no antibiotics, hormones, or other synthetic components, and means that the farms that provide the ingredients are USDA-approved, too.
Soy Option: No
Where: Walgreens
How Much: $28
Photo courtesy of Similac/Abbott
Why We Like It: Earth's Best Organic Infant Formula gets your baby off on a green path—and a healthy one; it's fortified with iron, and contains 100% of your little one's nutrition needs.
Eco-Factor: The certified-organic formula (like the rest of the Earth's Best line aimed at older kids) is free of hormones, steroids, pesticides, fertilizers, and antibiotics.
Soy Option: Yes
Where: Earth's Best
How Much: $30
Photo courtesy of The Hain Celestial Group
Why We Like It: Bright Beginnings Organic Formula is full of the nutrients that doctors recommend, plus it has nucleotides and whey protein in levels similar to those in breast milk.
Eco-Factor: Along with USDA organic certification, Bright Beginnings formula includes a "vegetarian blend of fats" that mimics those in breast milk to help babies absorb minerals and nutrients.
Soy Option: No
Where: Diapers.com
How Much: $25
Photo courtesy of Bright Beginnings Infant Formula
Why We Like It: Organic Infant Formula From Vermont Organics relies on Vermont cows raised without hormones or antibiotics, and ups the ante by adding nutrients and lipids that make the formula more like breast milk.
Eco-Factor: Made from local cows raised without growth hormones, the milk in the formula is USDA-certified and includes organic fats and carbohydrates.
Soy Option: Yes
Where: PBM Store
How Much: $150/case, about $25/can
Photo courtesy of Vermont Organics Infant Formula
| CREDITS | DCL | |
| DISCOVERY SITES | Discovery Channel | TLC | Animal Planet | Discovery Health | Science Channel | Planet Green | Discovery Kids | Military Channel | Investigation Discovery | Discovery Home | HD Theater | Turbo | FitTV | HowStuffWorks | TreeHugger | Petfinder | PetVideo | Discovery Education |
| CUSTOMER SERVICE | Viewer Relations | Free Newsletters | RSS | TV FAQs |
| CORPORATE | Discovery Communications, Inc. | Advertising | Careers @ Discovery | Privacy Policy | Visitor Agreement |
