All the mothers will not be able to breastfeed their babies due to different circumstances. A mother can also choose not to breastfeed for personal reasons. Gone are the days which considered “breast is the best” and every mother is free to feed her baby in whatever way that suits her and the baby. Baby formula is a great alternative for breastmilk in case a baby is not breastfed.
Baby formula is made to meet the nutritional needs of a growing newborn. Hence, many vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients are mixed with the milk powder to ensure that baby is getting all the nutrition as if he was breastfed. The taste of baby formula can worry the parents as it may taste metallic, fishy, or even bitter. This is not a sign that your baby formula is spoilt. Keep reading to know what makes baby formula taste bad and what you can do to make it taste better if your baby does not like it.
CONTENT
1. Why does baby formula taste so bad?
2. Is baby formula expired if it tastes bad?
3. Do all brands of baby formula taste the same?
4. Does baby formula taste the same as breastmilk?
5. How to make baby formula taste better?
1. Why does baby formula taste so bad?
Baby formula is designed to mimic breastmilk which is rich in nutrients needed by a newborn. When these nutrients are added to the milk powder artificially, they may cause an unpleasant taste that we are not used to. Breastmilk is a complicated, dynamic food with a wide range of nutrients, and mimicking its composition is not easy. So the baby formula will be added many nutrients such as iron, amino acids, and fatty acids which can give a bad taste. FDA strictly regulates baby formula to ensure that they contain the required level of nutrients so your baby formula will probably be off-taste.
When the baby formula is formulated by the manufacturers, its main objective is to fulfill the nutritional needs of an infant. Taste is not a priority in this process and they will add the needed nutrition required without considering their impact on the taste. Although other reasons can also make baby formula taste bad, most of the baby formula tastes metallic, fishy, or bitter due to the abundance of nutrients.
- Why does baby formula taste bitter?
Hypoallergenic formulas which consist of hydrolyzed proteins or amino acids have the strongest bitter taste. Though the taste and smell might be unpleasant to us, the parents, young babies can usually tolerate the bitter flavor. Research has found that babies who had hypoallergenic formulas which are bitter due to hydrolyzed proteins and amino acids adopted better with savory, bitter, and sour flavors when eating solids compared to other babies who had only standard baby formulas.
- Why does baby formula taste metallic?
Babies can absorb up to 70% of the iron in breastmilk. On contrary, babies will only absorb 10% of the iron in baby formula. To fill this gap of absorption, baby formula is composed of a higher concentration of iron which makes it taste metallic. Iron is important for babies to protect against health conditions such as iron deficiency and anemia.
- Why does baby formula taste fishy?
DHA and AHA are confirmed to be critical for brain and eye development. Hence, the baby formula contains these nutrients which are also present in fish oil and some type of algae. Depending on the source, added DHA and AHA can make the baby formula taste fishy.
2. Is baby formula expired if it tastes bad?
One of the other reasons that can make baby formula taste bad is being expired. On the first days of using baby formula, you will be confused about whether it is expired or the normal taste of baby formula. Here are some tips to identify whether a baby formula is expired or not.
- The liquid baby formula was out of the refrigerator for over two hours or has been in the refrigerator for over 48 hours.
- The bottle of prepared powder formula has been out for over an hour or in the refrigerator for over 24 hours.
- The baby formula tasted good before and now you notice a change in the taste or smell of the formula.
- The expiry date mentioned in the can is passed or the powder formula has been opened for over a month.
- The formula has become clumpy or separated.
3. Do all brands of baby formula taste the same?
Different types of baby formula may have varying tastes depending on their purpose. Brands of a baby formula developed specifically for sensitive digestive systems or lactose intolerant babies may differ in taste significantly compared to normal baby formula. These are few major types of baby formula and its tastes. There are three main categories.
Cow’s Milk Protein formula
This is the type of baby formula recommended for babies who do not have any special dietary requirements. It is sweetened to match the taste of breastmilk but it might taste metallic and medicinal due to added iron and other nutrients. Below are brands of Cow’s Milk Protein based formulas that I would recommend and loved by many parents.
- Enfamil Enspire Infant Formula with Lactoferrin, DHA, and MFGM for Brain Support and Immune Health
- Similac Pro-Advance Infant Formula with 2′-FL Human Milk Oligosaccharide (HMO) for Immune Support
- Enfamil Enspire Gentlease Infant Formula with Lactoferrin, DHA, and MFGM for Brain Support and Immune Health
Hydrolyzed Protein Formula
This type of baby formula is referred to as hypoallergenic and is processed so that the milk proteins are broken down. If your baby has a severe allergic reaction to milk proteins, you will have to use a Hydrolyzed Protein baby formula which has an unpleasant sour taste. Here are some recommendations based on popularity and nutritional value.
- Gerber Good Start GentlePro (HMO) Non-GMO Powder Infant Formula
- Puramino Hypoallergenic Infant & Toddler Formula – Amino Acid-based for Severe Food Allergies
Soy formula
This is a plant-based alternative to standard baby formula. This type of soy formula contains 33 percent more formula making it saltier than standard baby formula or breastmilk. So it needs to be sweetened to make it taste good enough for the baby. Below are few recommendations of soy formula based on popularity and nutritional value.
- Gerber Good Start Soy Infant and Toddler Formula, 24 Ounces
- Similac Soy Isomil Infant Formula with Iron, Powder, 30.8 oz (Pack of 4)
4. Does baby formula taste the same as breastmilk?
Breastmilk is naturally made to meet the nutritional needs of an infant even though the composition may differ considerably depending on the mother’s diet and many other factors. Simply, the composition of breastmilk will change daily or even from a feed to another but the nutritional composition of baby formula will stay constant. Therefore, the nutrients in breastmilk are complicated with their ability to change and adapt. Baby formula which is artificially formulated to mimic breastmilk cannot replace these complicated nutrients. So it definitely differs in taste and in many other ways.
5. How to make baby formula taste better?
The first time you taste baby formula for some reason will have you worried whether you can really offer it to your baby because of its unpleasant taste. But the babies have developing taste buds and will not feel a strong-bad taste like we do. In no time, the baby will become familiar with the taste. If your baby is fine with the taste of the baby formula and does not refuse the bottle, you can stop worrying. Remember that the taste of baby formula is not the only reason that would make a baby refuse the bottle.
If you have switched the brand of baby formula for a special reason like an allergic reaction, you may encounter the problem of the baby rejecting the bottle due to the off-taste. Here are few steps you can follow to make it taste better for the baby.
Mix in breastmilk
If your baby was breastfed before and newly introduced to baby formula, the baby might refuse the bottle because of the different taste. Adding some breastmilk makes the baby formula taste familiar to the baby.
Prepare the baby formula as instructed in the package and add breastmilk to it. Do not add baby formula powder directly to the breastmilk as it may increase the concentration of nutrients which is not good for the baby.
Add flavors
You can add flavors to the baby formula to make it taste better. Please consult your pediatrician before adding something like a flavor to your baby’s milk. Below are some suggestions.
- Vanilla – It should be a non-alcoholic extract or essence of vanilla
- Fruit juice – Do not use fruit juice with added sugar
- Purees – The purees that your baby has already tried will work better
- Spices – spices like cinnamon or nutmeg can be used in small amounts to change the taste.
Do not add any of the following ingredients to change the taste of baby formula.
- Cow’s milk – Cow’s milk is not easily digested by babies under one year of age and can cause adverse impacts on their kidneys.
- Water – Extra water will dilute the nutrients. The baby will feel fuller but lacks in nutrition.
- Honey – Babies under one year of age should not be given honey because it can put them at risk for Clostridium botulinum exposure.
- Sugar and artificial sweeteners – Babies should not be given sugar or sweeteners till the age of two.
