America is one of the greatest nations on earth. There is no doubt.
But when it comes to regulations and our baby’s healthcare, we have to look beyond our pride and realize that some countries just do things better than us.
And that’s ok. If we were to wall ourselves off from the rest of the world, we would never benefit from some incredible innovations happening outside our country.
We’re here to talk about why European baby formula might be better than American baby formula. But let’s look at American formula first to see why we might not want to trust it in the first place.
Why We Might Not Want To Trust American Baby Formula
While monopolies seem to be a part of American business, they don’t always benefit the public.
A lot of brands exist in the world. And a lot of brands are also owned by one or two major conglomerates.
This is how it is for American Baby Formula. You have a few major companies manufacturing formula that gets re-branded and sold. While the baby formula market isn’t owned by only one company, it is owned by three.
But the thing is, one of those companies, actually own a majority of the market. Their name is PBM Nutritionals.
They also make Bright Beginnings, Vermont Organics, and Earth’s Best formulas.
Baby Experiments
And this company is experimenting with your baby. In the quest to make the formula more like breast milk, the company has been adding things to the formula without the go-ahead of the American Academy of Pediatrics or the American Dietetic Association.
Lately, they’ve added fatty acids linked to brain and eye development. These fatty acids are DHA and ARA, long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Don’t let the long words and the acronyms scare you.
These could eventually be good things. They really do help eye and brain growth. But, they don’t know exactly how much is the correct amount to put in the formula.
Instead of waiting until all the research is in, they are adding these things haphazardly to American baby formula.
So, until our government starts more tightly regulating American baby formula, let’s look at European baby formula and see if it’s any better.
Why European Baby Formula Might Be Better Than American Baby Formula
We didn’t mention a few things about American baby formula above because we wanted to compare some aspects of the formulas here. Plus, who likes a repeat lecture anyway?
Baby formula needs to be sweet like breast milk. If it’s not, the baby will spit it out.
And, really, who wants to eat tasteless gruel? Certainly not your baby!
But in an attempt to make formula taste sweet, American brands have added sucrose to their products.
Sugar Addicts
Sucrose is common table sugar.
Would you give your baby common table sugar? Certainly not!
And the European Union has banned sucrose from baby formula due to a concern over child obesity problems.
We may not be conspiracy theorists here, but it doesn’t take much of an imagination to connect sugar with loads of processed food products for children and adults. It’s an addicting substance.
So already, we have a reason to go to European baby formula. It’s table-sugar-free!
Lactose Tolerant
There is this amazing and naturally occurring sugar called Lactose. We get it from cows milk. And the HiPP European baby formula uses it instead of sucrose.
Lactose in a formula is great, especially if you plan on keeping cows milk as part of your child’s diet later on in life.
Maltodextrin
This complex carbohydrate goes quickly through the digestive system. It’s also healthy in small doses.
Holle European baby formula contains small amounts of this in place of sucrose. Some companies in the states use this as well, but they use it in much higher doses. This is detrimental.
Carrageenan
Another substance banned in the E.U. for European baby formula manufacturers is carrageenan. Carrageenan is a thickener used in American baby formula.
It’s used in a lot of food products. Mostly, it’s used because of its great tendency to bind to proteins. This helps thicken protein laden liquids like milk.
The science is awesome! But, science has also linked it to digestive problems in babies and also to cancer.
Digestive problems and cancer are not things to trifle with. Even something that seems mild to adults like digestive issues, is a major thing to an infant.
You want to avoid this material at all costs.
What European Baby Formulas Do You Recommend?
While a lot of great European baby formulas exist, we have chosen Holle and HiPP as our top choices.
Holle European Baby Formula
Holle provides a cow based formula. It manufactures four stages of formula.
Starting out with Stage 1 for age 0 to six months, from age 6 months to 10 months, use stage 2, from ten months to 12 months, use stage 3, and from one year to weaning age, use stage 4.
With it’s simple to prepare formula, you won’t have trouble mixing it with water.
And you can get regular shipments of the food.
If you do notice any troubles with your infant while on the European baby formula, Holle, it might be the palm oil. It can cause unusual stools and upset stomach.
HiPP European Baby Formula
HiPP provides formulas for a variety of special situations. From acid reflux to gas and allergies.
It doesn’t contain palm oil, so it might be a good alternative if your baby doesn’t take well to Holle.
HiPP does an analysis of their formula ensuring that no traces of over 1000 harmful substances don’t make it into your baby’s formula.
And, as we mentioned above, they use lactose, which is probably the safest formula sweetener out there for your baby.
Your baby deserves the best food you can give. Being wise about what you’re feeding your baby will help them grow up even healthier.
If you’ve adopted European baby formula, what are your favorite benefits? Let us know in the comments below. And, as always, keep your baby safe.
