Ask Dr. Tais: Is there an optimal formula I can supplement when I go back to work?

Lately I have been asked by parents which formula brand I recommend. We all know that “breast is best” and there are numerous benefits of  breastfeeding but sometimes families find for whatever social, personal or medical reasons that they need to supplement their baby’s diet with formula. If you have found yourself in such a conundrum, you may have asked yourself “Are all formulas equal”?  Generally speaking I recommend organic formula because the non-organic options are derived from GMO ingredients, milk from cows exposed to antibiotics and artificial growth hormones, crops that have been sprayed with pesticides, and oils that have been processed with neurotoxic solvents like hexane. Organic formula is much healthier but disappointingly imperfect. Here is a list of concerning ingredients to look for in your infant formula:

1) Palm Oil: Human breast milk contains palmitic acid and in an effort to mimic breast milk, formula manufacturers add palm oil to infant formula. Unfortunately palm oil is not well absorbed and can result in constipation and maldigestion, specifically impeding the absorption of fat. All organic infant formula contain palm oil acid except for Baby’s Only Organic and Similac Organic formulas.

2) Sweetener: Human breast milk contains the carbohydrate, lactose, which also happens to be a relatively expensive raw ingredient for formula manufacturers, most of whom are switching to plant-based sweeteners like corn syrup, corn maltodextrin and glucose syrup (a sneaky way to say corn syrup). Unfortunately none of the U.S. organic formulas are using lactose in their current formula preparations, although many of them used lactose when they initially came out on the market. 365/Whole Foods Organic formula, Vermont Organics, Similac Organics, Parent’s Choice Organic and Earth’s Best Organic all use corn syrup as their sweetener. Surprisingly, Similac Organics also adds additional sugar, an ingredient that has been rightfully banned from being added to formula in Europe. Baby’s Only Organic is the only one to use brown rice syrup. For those of you who are concerned about the use of rice syrup because of the recent report showing that rice is often contaminated with low levels of arsenic, Baby’s Only has been third party tested and cleared for using arsenic-free brown rice syrup.

3) Carrageenan is one of the most frustrating ingredients added to formula because it adds no nutritional value or flavor to formula. This inflammatory additive, which again has been banned from infant formula in Europe, is added only to ready-made liquid formulas so that the formula does not have to be shaken. Only Earth’s Best and Similac Organic offer ready-to-feed liquid formula, and therefore these liquid versions contain carrageenan.

4) Synthetic preservatives are added to formula to preserve the DHA oil. The only formula that does not contain DHA oil and therefore does not contain synthetic preservatives is Baby’s Only Organic.

5) Synthetic nutrients are usually made from plants that are treated with pesticides and processed with hexane, a solvent that is toxic to the nervous system. Similac Organics is the only formula that contains synthetic lutein and lycopene, again these are ingredients that have been banned in Europe.

It is clear to me that Baby’s Only Organic has the cleanest ingredient list of all the organic formula options on the US market.

The doctor will hear you now.

Your first appointment with Dr. Tais will include a comprehensive medical history and in-depth discussion about all your health concerns. We want it to be the most enlightening appointment you've ever had.

What Patients Are Saying

  • "I just saw Dr. Tais for the first time yesterday, and she was beyond wonderful. She will be my PCP moving forward. This was the first time that I truly felt heard, listened to, and cared for with regard to my health and complicated thyroid issues. She sat with me for about 35 minutes just talking...asking questions...listening."

  • "Dr. Tais is right on target with finding and correcting the root of the problem. She is the first doctor to ask me about my mental and emotional health post partum and my son is almost 18 months old. I had just assumed the way I was feeling was normal but she had suggestions on how to improve things."

  • "I loved my experience with Dr. Tais! She was very patient with me, answered all my questions, and helped me manage my thyroid issues. I’ve never felt better! I’ll recommend her to all my friends and family!"

  • "My initial consultation with Dr. Tais was very informative. She explained things in a clear and concise manner, and made a complicated issue easy to understand by giving me a step-by-step outline of the 5 major factors that need to work optimally for couples to conceive."

  • "My daughter loves her appointments with Dr. Tais! After so many appointments where my daughter left crying after visits with her pediatrician, I decided to try an alternative option to help my daughter be less fearful... Dr. Tais does an amazing job making my daughter's appointments less anxiety provoking."

  • "Love her!!! Very patient. Naturally gifted in her practice and feels like talking to a best friend. Always prayed for that in a Dr. Thanks for all you do Dr. Tais."

  • "I have seen Dr. Tais twice now & I am really thankful to have found her! She is helping me with my thyroid related problems. She really cares & responds quickly when I have questions. She is awesome."

  • "I was thrilled that Dr. Tais took the time to ask questions that no one ever asked and actually listened to my concerns. She seems truly interested in finding the root of the problem in order to find a solution. And being able to speak to her on the phone is priceless. I'd give her 10 stars if I could."

  • "Dr. Tais is amazing. I can’t say enough good things about her! She gives multiple ideas and recommendations and gives a starting point and alternatives if something doesn’t work. She follows through on everything and is easy to get ahold of."

  • "Dr. Tais is seriously the best. Her natural approach is just what I was searching for! She absolutely listens, is attentive, extremely thorough and I always feel comfortable sharing everything. Bonus...her office super comforting and scheduling is always easy."

  • "I would highly recommend Dr. Tais. She has helped me tremendously and goes above and beyond to help her patients. She is kind and takes time to answer questions or concerns. Her office is nice and a much more relaxed atmosphere than most."

  • "Dr. Tais is a very empathic and knowledgeable physician. She has a very calming presence and always offers an explanation to any questions that I have, critical or not. Unlike several other doctors that I've met, she does not become defensive or assume a position of authority."

  • "Finally, I found Dr. Tais, and I only wish I had found her ten years sooner. I've never had a doctor sit down and really look at my holistic health issues... she allowed me to be a part of making the choices for my course of treatment. I highly recommend Dr. Tais -- she has changed my life."

  • "She is now the only doctor I trust... and am now a loyal and lifelong patient. I am feeling so much better now and we are working to fine tune the treatments... The follow up visits aren't too much more expensive than my regular copays with my health insurance and my husband agrees that Dr.Tais is worth every penny!!!"

  • "I have been to several doctors over the years and no one could give me the answers I needed. My thyroid has been out of whack for some time all I would hear is "your labs are normal...you're tired because you have kids!" Dr. Tais ran the labs that I needed to get to the bottom of my problem."

  • "I've been seeing Dr. Tais for several years now. She is very attentive, gentle, & thorough. I feel comfortable sharing my concerns with her. What is so refreshing is that unlike allopathic doctors, she doesn't try to give write you a prescription for every ailment just to mask symptoms."

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