Formula Questions

• WHICH FORMULA IS THE BEST?

There isn’t one formula that is best for every baby. Every baby is different, and a formula that works wonderfully for one baby may not be the best fit for another.

When choosing a formula, consider your baby’s age, feeding history, tolerance, and any recommendations from your pediatrician. We’re always happy to help explain the differences between the products we carry so you can have an informed conversation with your baby’s healthcare provider.

• WHAT DO THE DIFFERENT STAGES IN EUROPEAN FORMULA MEAN?

European formulas are commonly labeled by stage, but age recommendations can vary slightly between brands and countries. Always check the specific product packaging.

PRE: Generally suitable from birth. PRE formulas typically use lactose as the primary carbohydrate, although ingredients vary by product.

Stage 1: Generally suitable from birth and can be used as a first infant formula.

Stage 2: Follow-on formula intended for babies 6 months and older as part of a diversified diet. Stage 2 should not be given to babies under 6 months.

Stage 3: Intended for older babies or toddlers. The starting age varies by product, commonly around 10 or 12 months, so please check the individual package.

 

• CAN I KEEP MY BABY ON STAGE PRE OR STAGE 1 WHEN HE/SHE PASS 6 MONTHS OR DOES MY BABY HAVE TO SWITCH FROM PRE OR STAGE 1 TO STAGE 2 AT 6 MONTHS?

Reaching 6 months does not automatically mean your baby needs to switch to a follow-on formula. Many first infant formulas can continue to be used after 6 months.

One of the biggest difference between Stage 1 and Stage 2 is Iron. So, your baby can stay on Stage PRE or Stage 1 pass 6 months as long as he/she is eating variety iron rich foods, such as: spinach, lentils, peas, beans, broccoli, red meat, turkey or oatmeal enriched with Iron.

• WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS IF MY BABY IS SENSITIVE TO DAIRY PRODUCT?

Lactose intolerance and cow’s milk protein allergy are different conditions.

Lactose intolerance involves difficulty digesting lactose, which is the natural carbohydrate found in milk.

Cow’s-milk-protein allergy (CMPA) is an immune reaction to proteins found in cow’s milk.

Some specialty formulas use hydrolyzed proteins, reduced lactose, or other modifications designed for different feeding needs. However, not every partially hydrolyzed or “HA” formula is appropriate for a baby with a diagnosed cow’s milk protein allergy.

Goat-milk formula also contains intact milk proteins and should not be considered a treatment for cow’s milk protein allergy unless specifically recommended by your baby’s healthcare provider.

If your baby has symptoms such as blood in the stool, persistent vomiting, significant eczema, poor weight gain, swelling, breathing difficulty, or another suspected allergic reaction, please contact your pediatrician promptly rather than changing formulas based solely on general recommendations.

We are happy to explain the ingredient and formulation differences among the products we carry, but your pediatrician should determine which type of formula is appropriate for a diagnosed allergy or medical condition.

  

• HOW LONG IT TAKES FOR MY BABY TO ADJUST TO A NEW FORMULA?

Every baby is different. Some babies adjust quickly, while others may experience temporary changes in stool, gas, or feeding patterns after switching formulas.

If your baby is comfortable and otherwise doing well, your pediatrician may recommend allowing some time to adjust rather than switching formulas frequently.

However, significant vomiting, blood in the stool, difficulty breathing, swelling, severe rash, poor feeding, dehydration, or other concerning symptoms should be discussed with your baby’s healthcare provider promptly.

• WHAT IF THE FORMULA I ORDER IS NOT WORKING FOR MY BABY?

We understand that not every formula works for every baby.

Our Happy Baby Guarantee allows eligible customers to receive store credit for one item from an order toward trying a different formula. Please contact us for details and eligibility.

We’re also happy to help you compare ingredients and formula types so you can discuss the available options with your pediatrician.

• HOW TO PREPARE FORMULA CORRECTLY?

Measure the amount of correct water into a clean bottle. Boil the water first to sterilize the formula, especially for young and premature babies.
The optimal water temperature for mixing formula is 122F (50C)
Add powder formula to the bottle. Put the cap on the bottle and shake
Feed immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours
REMEMBER: ALWAYS ADD WATER FIRST TO ENSURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT VOLUMN BEFORE ADDING POWDER

• IS IT OKAY TO PREPARE THE FORMULA WITHOUT BOILING THE WATER?

Powdered infant formula is not sterile. Additional preparation precautions may be recommended for babies under 2 months of age, babies born prematurely, or babies with weakened immune systems. Please follow current public-health guidance and your pediatrician’s recommendations for these infants.

While many parents use regular distilled water without boiling to prepare the formula, it is advised to do so as it can eliminate bacteria.

• CAN I USE MICROWAVE TO WARM UP FORMULA?

No. We do not recommend warming infant formula in a microwave.

Microwaves can heat formula unevenly and create hot spots that may burn your baby’s mouth.

Formula does not have to be warmed before feeding. If your baby prefers warm formula, warm the closed bottle gently using warm water and test the temperature before feeding.

• BABY BREZZA SETTINGS

The setting can be found on their website under the International Tab.  Check this occasionally in the event there is an update. Click here.

• HOW LONG CAN I LEAVE MY FORMULA?

Unless the individual product gives different instructions, general infant-formula safety guidance is:

Use prepared formula within 2 hours of preparation.

Once feeding begins, use the bottle within 1 hour.

If a prepared bottle has not been used, refrigerate it promptly and use it within 24 hours.

Discard any formula remaining in a bottle after your baby has fed from it because bacteria from your baby’s saliva can multiply in the leftover formula.

 

• WHAT IS THE STORAGE LIFE FOR FORMULA?

The recommended period after opening varies by manufacturer and product.

Please follow the instructions printed on the original package and note the date you opened it.

Keep powdered formula tightly closed in its original container in a cool, dry place unless the manufacturer instructs otherwise. Do not refrigerate powdered formula unless specifically directed by the manufacturer.

Never use formula after its expiration or “use by” date.

 

• I NOTICE AN OPTION TO PURCHASE "DAMAGED" PRODUCTS, WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Occasionally, products may arrive from international transport with cosmetic damage to the exterior packaging.

Products offered as cosmetically damaged may have a dented outer container or damaged cardboard packaging while the inner seal remains intact.

We do not intentionally sell formula when we know the product seal has been compromised, the formula is leaking, or the contents have been exposed.

If you receive a damaged item and are unsure whether it is safe to use, please send us photos before using it so we can help assess the packaging and discuss your options.

 

• SHOULD I BE CONCERNED OF THE BOX WAS DAMAGE DURING SHIPPING?

Minor damage to an exterior cardboard box does not necessarily mean the formula inside has been compromised.

For formulas packaged with an internal pouch, inspect the pouch carefully. Do not use the product if the inner pouch is torn, punctured, open, leaking, or otherwise compromised.

Please contact us if you are unsure.

•  FORMULA DENTED CANS

A small cosmetic dent does not automatically mean that the formula inside is damaged, but the condition and location of the damage matter.

Do not use formula if the container is leaking, bulging, punctured, severely crushed, has a damaged seam or closure, has a broken seal, or shows signs that the contents may have been exposed.

If your order arrives damaged, please contact us and send clear photos before opening or using the product.

• WILL MY ORDER BE X-RAYED OR IRRADIATED?

There is an extremely low chance your order will be x-rayed when it is processed through customs. However, none of the formula is exposed to irradiation. Infant formula or cereals are not subject to irradiation. Please note that irradiation and x-raying are two totally different things. Irradiation is a complex mechanism, that perishable products go thru to kill any potential germs or bacteria to prevent the spread of disease in the country where the product entering.
X-raying is a simple thing, just like when you go through an airport, everything that enters or exits in a country must be x-rayed. Even your handbags and luggage is X-rayed when entering through the airport or via sea route. It’s a simple process of customs clearance without opening boxes and physically testing.

• MY CHILD'S PEDIATRICIAN RECOMMENDED AMERICAN BRAND OF FORMULA. WHY SHOULD I CONSIDER PURCHASE EUROPEAN ORGANIC FORMULA?

Families choose formulas for many different reasons, including ingredient preferences, organic certification, milk source, carbohydrate source, availability of goat-milk options, or prior experience with a particular brand.

We do not believe that one country’s formula is universally “better” for every baby.

Organic certification also does not mean a product is completely free from all possible pesticide residues, and the presence of ingredients such as corn-syrup solids in certain formulas should not be described as causing babies to become “addicted to sugar.”

The most important consideration is finding an age appropriate formula that meets your baby’s nutritional and medical needs.

If you are considering a formula that was manufactured for another country's market, please be aware that labeling, preparation instructions, scoop sizes, formula stages, and recall communications may differ from products manufactured specifically for the U.S. market.

We encourage parents to review the complete ingredient list and nutritional information and discuss their choice with their pediatrician.

 

• HOW DO I KNOW IF THE PRODUCTS GOT RECALLED?

In the very rare event of the recall of a particular formula, we would notify all of our customers immediately, via the email address that they used to make their purchase.
There are currently no formula recalls for any kind of bacteria in the HiPP, Holle, Loulouka or Kendamil formulas (we have checked for you and we work closely with our certified distributors who would let us know if there were any recalls). Recalls for bacterial contamination in the formula are immediately disseminated by the European Food Safety Authority.
Furthermore, we have not heard anything from our customers or the large European formula feeding community we are a part of. You can check for recalls for products here (including infant formula).