I saw Enfamil's Next Step formula and was wondering if anyone uses it, and if it is better than giving my baby regular cow's milk. My baby girl will be a year old on the 16th. I breastfed until she was 6 months while supplementing with Similac Advance. Now she drinks just the formula. My doc's appointment isn't until the 18th. One more thing, if I do decide to give her cow's milk should I give her whole milk or 2%? We drink 2% depite all the negative info we know.
I went to the doctor and he told me the same thing most of you had said, she didn't need it and that it was made by the formula companies to make more money. I had already bought a couple cans so I used them and didn't buy anymore. My baby girl is healthy and a sweetheart. Thank you all for your advice!
Hello A.. I don't have any advice on the formula, as I exclusively breastfeed, and the formula wasn't around when my other children were little, but I wanted to comment on the cow's milk. Definitely do not give her anything other than whole milk. From the age of 1 until they are two years old, they have to have whole milk. The fat in the milk is crucial for brain development. I hope this helps.
According to my pediatrician and the baby books I have read babies don't need any type of formula after one year of age so you'd be wasting your money buying the "next step" formula. I think this type of formula is a clever way for the formula companies to make more money. But, yes, you do need to give them whole milk because they need the fats contained therein.
I don't know anything about Next Step, but children need high fat for their brains.
Either go with ORGANIC whole milk, or ORGANIC whole fat goats milk, or almond milk.
You can supplement her diet with cod liver oil (Carleson's lemon falvored oil is a good one that has a low risk of mercury) to provide essential fatty acids.
XO
Linda
i hear that Next Step is just a way for the formula companies to continue to make more money off of you. After a year of formul/breastfeeding, your child is ready for regular milk and no more need for "extra" stuff.
:)
My daughter is 22mos old and I used the Next Step up until about a month ago. She really liked it. If you do decide to use cow's milk you definitely need to use whole milk, they really need the fat in it to help cover their nerve connections in their brains with myelin (myelin helps send messages in the brain faster and more efficiently). I'm a nursing student and my anatomy professor said that she gave her kids whole milk until they were four because she wanted to make sure they got plenty of that necessary fat, which is longer than "they" recommend but food for thought. Anyway hope that helps!
My first son was allergic to cow's milk and so we did Next Step for a while (definitely more expensive than just milk) but we had to introduce the milk more slowly. He was on it for about 9 months until his little body was able to handle more cow's milk. Now he's fine and the formula was always fine! :) My second went straight to whole milk like the doctor said and hasn't had any problems with that. Good luck.
First off, if you decide you give cow's milk, always use whole milk up to age 2. Unlike an adult, the baby needs all the fat and nutrition provided in the whole milk.
I was using the Enfamil Lipil formula for my twins and naturally moved on to Next Step when they turn 1 year old. At 15 months, I started giving them whole milk and alternate sometimes. But gradually, they were having more wholemilk. They are 20 months now and I still get the Next Step formula more for convenience. I always have some in the diaper bag when we are out and about for most of the day on weekends. This way I just make sure I have the formula and bottled water ready when needed. I plan to continue to get the formula for a few more months until they turn 2.
Hi, I will answer your second question first, because it's easy. Definately whole milk, till at least 2 years old. They absolutely need to the fat!! As for formula versus cow milk, it depends on how healthy your son is and whether he needs the extra nutients in the formula. Do not give him cow milk till he has turned 1. After that, if he is normally healthy and eats well, just offer him the whole milk with meals. If he is not a good eater but likes to drink the formula, then give him the formula so he will get the 18-24 oz of milk/formula per day that he needs at this age. My daughter is the latter, and we give her Good Start #2 twice a day, and whole milk in a sippy cup with her regular meals. Good luck!
I used Next Step it was great and when we did milk it was whole milk.
Unless your daughter is underweight and small for her age Next Step would just be a complete waste of money. My Dr said the only reason to ever put a child on that is if at 1 year they're underdeveloped and still need the extra nutients. Otherwise whole milk is the best way to go. You should only use 2% milk if your daughter is on the chubby side and needs to slim down a bit.
Hi. I have a 14 month old who is on next step formula for a bunch of reasons. I nursed him for 7 months, then switched to enfamil gentleease...and one he refused to drink cows milk (doesn't like taste and I haven't pushed or tried hard yet), terrible reflux which is just now getting better and we have had three trips the past three months and the formula is so easy to travel with. I do however by the target generic brand next step (dr says totally fine, all the same stuff and last years enfamil recipe)...it is half price, and actually the same if not cheaper than organic whole milk. I plan to use it a few more months then start working on transitioning to whole milk. Hope that helps!
The advice I was given from my maternal/child health nurse was that any "next step" formulae were basically a waste of money, and as long as over ones are eating a healthy diet they don't need formula. Re the milk - stick with full fat until your bub is 2, then light milk after that. The calcium levels are generally the same, but under two's need the extra fat.
