Why Do You Think They Call It Formula?

Many parents ask me if they should use baby formula or formulas for children after their first birthday. For the vast majority of children the answer is no. By one year of age a child should be eating enough quantity and variety of solid foods to meet their nutritional needs.

Toddler formulas were created to enlarge the market share for baby formula companies. After all, what company wants to have to replace their customers every year, wouldn’t it be better to keep customers for at least 2 years? So by creating a new product they can extend their market. Toddler formulas contain many important nutrients. But a product containing all of these nutrients, is more like a food than a drink. Reliance on theses products may result in a child who relies on the formula for energy and sustenance but does not learn to develop a taste for a variety of foods. Your child will be drawn to the nutrients that they need. It is always preferable to obtain nutrients from their natural original source; food. The more a food is processed or created in a lab, the less like food it really is. Why do you think they call it FORMULA?

All of the nutrients found in toddler formulas can and should be taken in from food. The early years are critical for allowing a child to learn to accept a variety of tastes and textures. Children need to learn how to chew and swallow different types of foods. It is a time for children to learn to enjoy the color, touch and smell of new foods. It is also a time for a child to learn about all of the joys of eating with family and friends.

So let your child eat what you’re eating. Except those who are avoiding certain foods due to allergies, all foods are fair game. Offer food of an appropriate consistency and size to avoid choking, but don’t limit your child’s choices to standard “kid food”. Many 1 year olds can eat meat loaf, tender chicken cut into small bits, or fish (no bones). The more choices you offer now, the wider range of acceptability your child will have as an adult.