How To Supplement With Formula For Weight Gain

Have you ever felt you could use some extra weight? Whether you’re looking to put on pounds for sporting, or even roleplay, there are many formulas on the market which can help.

There are a ton of people who will tell you how important it is to gain weight. I mean, there’s the “I’m-gonna-be fat!” type and the “What-if-my-girlfriend-dumps-me?” type and the “What if my pants just don’t fit anymore?” type. All these reasons only prove why some supplements are now being made with weight gain in mind (in case you’re one of those who needs some extra muscle or perhaps just has difficulty bulking up). This article will tell you more about How To Supplement With Formula For Weight Gain and Does Baby Formula Help Adults Gain Weight.

How To Supplement With Formula For Weight Gain

I recently saw a young couple for a breastfeeding consult. They were here with their first baby who was about 4 months old. They had just recently been to see a doctor. During the 15 minute appointment the doctor looked at the baby’s weight gain from the last time the baby had been weighed and noticed that the baby had gone from the 50% at birth to the 15% now 4 months later. She then told them to start supplementing with formula and sent them on their way.  So what is wrong with this picture?? A lot! Here are 8 crucial things to do when you are told to supplement.

1. ASK THE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL FOR A DETAILED DESCRIPTION AS TO WHY THEY ARE TELLING YOU TO SUPPLEMENT. “Because baby is low on the growth chart” is not in of itself a reason to supplement. Some babies will be smaller than others!

I frequently hear of cases where a doctor will tell someone to supplement just because of where the baby is on the growth chart. But it is not as simple as this. A baby who is on the 10% can be just as healthy as a baby who is on the 75%. We accept that adults are different sizes yet question babies who are “low” on the chart. My first baby was a little string bean. He stayed at the 10% on the chart for basically forever but on all other accounts was doing exactly what we expected to see. Meeting his milestones, happy etc…I am forever thankful for my doctor at the time who recognized this and never pressured me to supplement just because he was “little”.

So when is there cause for concern? When a baby continues to DROP percentiles over time.  A baby who is born at the 95% who over time continues to drop down the percentiles on the chart is reason for concern. NOT a baby who starts at the 10% and continues to stay at the 10%. Remember my story from above? What the doctor failed to do was actually look at the weight gain of that baby since he was born. There was an initial drop in percentiles after baby was born (from the 50% to the 15%) however the baby had continued to stay at the 15% for the past 3 months. The baby was continuing to gain weight and stay at that percentile.

Make sure you and your doctor (or health care provider) are charting your baby on The World Health Organization’s charts for breastfed babies as babies who are breastfed grow and gain weight differently than formula fed babies.

{source: www.kellymom.com}

{source: www.kellymom.com}

2.LOOK AT THE WHOLE PICTURE…NOT JUST THE CHART. I cannot stress this enough. We are not raising babies on charts here, they are whole human beings with many different aspects of their health that we need to look at.

Back to the story I started with.  This couple’s doctor did not once ask for their baby’s entire history of weight gain. She did not ask them if their baby was meeting his developmental milestones or showing any signs of developmental issues. In every way their baby was (and is) 100% normal. He is meeting his developmental milestones, he is continuing to gain weight steadily and staying at the 15% on the chart and during the entire visit was alert, smiling at me and interacting with all of us. He was also peeing and pooping as expected for his age. These are all of the important factors that go into a proper assessment. It is NOT JUST ABOUT THE CHART. I observed the baby breastfeed and have formed a plan with this couple for the future. Following up is so important and crucial for long term success of women reaching their breastfeeding goals and making sure the baby continues to gain weight and stay at the percentile they have been on.

3.TALK ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF YOUR LABOR AND BIRTH AFFECTING BABY’S BIRTH WEIGHT. Something not often mentioned is the affect of IV’s and medications on a baby’s birth weight. “There is evidence that intravenous therapy in labour contributes to newborns who may be ‘water logged’. Excessive infant weight loss in the early neonatal period is often a reason for aggressive supplementation of breastfeeding newborns.” [1] What was your labour and birth like? This can affect the initial weight that was taken of your baby. In the case I’ve mentioned above, the woman had received bags of IV fluids throughout her labour. This is an important piece of information when assessing their situation.

4.GET CONTINUED SUPPORT FROM SOMEONE TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF WHY YOUR BABY IS NOT GAINING WEIGHT AS EXPECTED if you have a baby who is continuing to drop percentiles on the chart, losing weight or showing signs of failure to thrive. There is no clear definition of this but the generally accepted criteria for diagnosis of a baby who is “failure to thrive” includes a baby who is showing signs of being undernourished and losing weight or gaining very slowly. Just telling a woman, ”your baby is failure to thrive” or “you need to supplement” without actually getting to the bottom of WHY this is happening is not only unhelpful but actually can be detrimental to a mother who would like to continue to breastfeed her baby exclusively. “In order to evaluate the situation, both mother and infant must be assessed for their contribution to the breastfeeding relationship.” [2] Unfortunately often times this important step is completely overlooked as a couple leaves the office with their baby and formula sample.

5.HAVE YOU AND YOUR BABY THOROUGHLY ASSESSED TO RULE OUT DIFFERENT POSSIBILITIES AS TO WHY YOUR BABY IS NOT GAINING AS EXPECTED. Most often it is simply caused by a baby who is not latching on effectively, as statistically speaking more women are physically able to produce enough milk if their babies are effectively and efficiently able to drain the breast. However there are many different possible reasons as to why a mother’s milk supply is low…

Possible contributing factors to low weight gain [2] as caused by the mother:

Autoimmune disease

(*AMONG MANY OTHERS!)

And the infant:

(*AMONG MANY OTHERS!)

Do not freak out and diagnose you or your baby with these things just because you read them here! These are some examples of different situations that would affect a baby’s weight gain. Get testing done for one or both of you if you suspect there is an underlying reason for weight gain issues with your baby unrelated to just breastfeeding management issues like latch problems that can usually be easily fixed with some good support.

6.HAVE A BREASTFEEDING SPECIALIST (INTERNATIONAL BOARD CERTIFIED LACTATION CONSULTANT, IBCLC) OR TRAINED VOLUNTEER BREASTFEEDING COUNSELOR HAVE A GOOD LOOK AT YOUR BABY WHILE BREASTFEEDING. This is crucial. Not for the “let’s have a look at the latch” reason (click here for why the look of the latch really does not matter so much) but because someone needs to assess if your baby is actually sucking and swallowing as expected during the breastfeed. It is really important to see whether or not your baby is actively sucking and getting milk when breastfeeding. This is the first important step to forming a long term plan for you as we need to know if your baby is getting a good amount of milk when they are breastfeeding. Then of course looking at the other factors involved with knowing your baby is getting “enough” which including counting their nappy (diaper) output every 24 hours and observing your baby’s general contentedness. As in, are they content most of the time? Or are they very unsettled or very sleepy and on the breast ALL.THE.TIME. which can be an indication they are not getting much while breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding help

7.GET SOMEONE TO FORM A SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM PLAN WITH YOU. If it has been established that yes, you do need to supplement and your baby is not getting enough it’s then so important to have a long term plan set up for you. Supplementing does not always have to happen with a bottle and formula. If your baby is willing and able to breastfeed frequently and on demand then using a supplemental nursing system (SNS) is an awesome way to get your supply up as quickly and efficiently as possible while also supplementing at the same time. Head here for Brogey’s story of why she used an SNS with donor breastmilk for the entire 2 years of breastfeeding her daughter Junipah.

8.STAY POSITIVE AND KEEP IN CONTACT WITH THE BREASTFEEDING SPECIALIST (IBCLC OR BREASTFEEDING COUNSELOR). This will help ensure that you get to the bottom of WHY you have low supply (due to you or your baby or possibly a combination of both) and WHAT your plan is for the near and distant future. Including how to know if your supply is increasing and how to then go about weaning off of the supplements.

*If your baby is truly needing to be supplemented the first rule is FEED THE BABY! Whether that is with your expressed breastmilk, donor milk or formula.  The World Health Organization recommends the following (*side note this is not just a recommendation for those who are in developing countries but for women worldwide)

“For those few health situations where infants cannot, or should not, be breastfed, the choice of the best alternative- expressed breast milk from an infant’s own mother, breastmilk from a healthy wet-nurse or human-milk bank, or a breast-milk substitute fed with a cup…”[3]

What is Formula Supplementation? 

Supplementing is a process that combines the nutritional powers of breast milk with formula feeding. These supplemental formulas begin with precisely made nutritional baby formulas and then transition to toddler formulas as babies grow older. Formula supplementation is a safe way to relieve mothers stuck in the constant feeding cycle while ensuring that a baby or toddler receives all of the nutrients they need to grow.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that mothers breastfeed for the first six months post-pregnancy and then slowly introduce solid foods or supplementing formula over the next year. However, some mothers formula feed or add supplements within the first few weeks post-pregnancy! If you’re wondering how to transition a baby from breastmilk to formula, we are here to help!

How Much Formula To Supplement?

Generally speaking, babies eat when they’re hungry and stop when they’re full. According to Dr. Julie  Ware: “No matter what your breastfeeding goal, making sure that your baby is feeding properly is one that is cited first by health care practitioners and doctors trained in breastfeeding. Many moms are surprised by how often a baby eats—generally, eight to 12 times every 24 hours.”

In the initial infant months, babies should feed whenever they get fussy. 

If you’re supplementing your breastfed infant early on, you mustn’t introduce more than a bottle or two (per day) of infant formula in the early weeks unless it is required. IF your goal is to breastfeed, you should try to avoid mixed feeding. Women’s breast milk functions on a supply and demand basis, so you’ll experience a reduced milk supply as you breastfeed less.

As you supplement more and more with formula feeding, your natural milk  production wanes. So, it’s best to start slow and let your and your child’s body adapt to this dietary change. For more information on when to start supplementing with formula, check out our blog article!

For a baby that’s using formula in lieu of breastfeeding, the proper supplement schedule looks like this: 

Afterward, your formula fed baby should consume 2.5 oz of formula a day for every pound of body weight. Typically, your baby will signal to you when they’re hungry or satiated, and you can feed accordingly. Once the baby reaches 12 months, you can begin supplementing the baby’s solid food with toddler formula. It is recommended that you choose a plant-based, organic formula.

At this stage, how you supplement with formula is up to you. It can be a daily addition or occasional supplement to breast milk, dairy milk, or solid food. 

Else Baby and Toddler formula for supplementing and weaning

Reasons to Supplement 

When it comes to the reasons why a mom starts to supplement, their reasons are varied. They include but are not limited to:

What Are Signs that Your Baby may Need a Supplemental Formula? 

Typically, doctors highlight specific “signals” that prove your baby is receiving an adequate amount of breast milk. These include but are not limited to:

  1. Safe, steady weight gain – Babies lose around 10% of their birth weight in their first week of life. After, the baby should gain a half an ounce to an ounce per day for the following three months. 
  2. Lots of wet and dirty diapers – After a few days have passed, the baby should be producing at least six wet diapers and three stools within 24 hours.
  3. Productive nursing – A baby should nurse at least 8 to 12 times every 24 hours during the first month. Sessions should stay between 15 and 45 minutes, and you need to ensure you can hear the baby swallow. 

If you notice that your baby has lost more weight than normal, they aren’t producing enough diapers, or their nursing sessions are either overly long or short, it may be a sign that your baby needs supplemental formula to help their growth.

Consult with your doctor immediately to determine the proper course of action. 

After you’ve added formula to the feeding routine, be sure to monitor signs of your baby’s growth and constitution. If the baby is happy, growing steadily, and producing wet diapers, you should be on the right track. However, keep an eye out for signs of vomiting or tummy pain, which could indicate that your baby is ingesting too much formula. 

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How Adding Formula Can Affect Your Baby 

If you’ve only been breastfeeding, slowly adding supplements to their feeding sessions will likely have some noticeable impacts on your baby. 

To that end, a few natural adjustments may include: 

Selecting a Baby Formula 

Today, there are dozens of baby formula supplements available. The sheer volume of options can make it difficult to identify the right formula for your child. With that being said, there are four key qualities that a baby formula should have: 

On the other hand, be wary of products that contain GMOs, vegetable oils, and heavy metals—all of which can have negative effects on a baby’s health. 

ELSE — The Ideal Plant-Based, Non-Soy Toddler Formula 

Supplementing is an important process that many mothers utilize to ensure that their baby is receiving adequate nutrition. But when first beginning, it’s important that you consult your doctor. Once you’ve introduced a supplement, make your child’s transition a gradual one. Let your baby and body adjust to the new routine before making any big adjustments. Check out our blog article on how to switch formulas, so that if your child is over 12 months you can make a healthy switch to Else today. 

And when it comes to finding the best formula for your toddler , you’re already here. 

At Else, we provide complete nutrition using a plant-based organic supplement formulated with three main ingredients: organic almonds, tapioca, and buckwheat. We’re the natural, doctor-recommended alternative to a dairy-based formula. 

Reasons to supplement with formula

You may need or want to supplement your baby’s feedings with formula for any number of reasons, some of which may be recommended by your pediatrician.

“While it’s true that breast milk is ideal for feeding your baby, there may be times where formula supplementation is medically needed,” says holistic pediatrician Dr. Elisa Song.

According to Dr. Song, adding formula may be best when an infant isn’t gaining weight adequately or isn’t feeding well at the breast. Sometimes newborns also have jaundice and need extra hydration while you wait for your own milk supply to come in.

Some people need to supplement with formula for their own health reasons, too. People with chronic illnesses or those who have had recent breast surgeries may have problems breastfeeding. Meanwhile, those with less weight or those who have thyroid conditions may not produce enough milk — though low supply can happen to anyone.

“Sometimes breastfeeding has to be stopped temporarily while mama is on certain medications,” adds Dr. Song. “During this time, formula may be needed while mom ‘pumps and dumps.’”

Besides medical issues, circumstances can also dictate the decision to supplement. Perhaps you’re going back to a job where you don’t have time or space to pump breast milk. Or, if you have twins or other multiples, supplementing can give you a much-needed break from serving as a milk machine around the clock. Formula also provides a solution for women who aren’t comfortable breastfeeding in public.

Finally, many parents simply find breastfeeding exhausting and emotionally draining. Your needs matter. If supplementation benefits your mental health, it can be a perfectly valid option. Remember: Take care of you so you can take care of them.

Getting started with supplementation

As you consider starting your breastfed baby on a bit of formula, you’re probably wondering how exactly to begin. (Where’s that baby manual when you need it?)

There are differing views on the best way to introduce formula into your feeding regimen, and there’s no one right way (or perfect time) to do so.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization both endorse exclusively breastfeeding during the first 6 monthsTrusted Source of baby’s life. Even if this isn’t possible, many experts encourage breastfeeding for at least 3 to 4 weeks to establish your supply and baby’s comfort with the breast.

No matter baby’s age when you decide to start formula, it’s best to ease into it — and do so at a time when baby is in good spirits. A sleepy or cranky little one isn’t likely to be thrilled with trying something new, so steer clear of introducing formula too close to bedtime or to that early evening crying jag.

“In general, I would recommend starting with one bottle per day at the time of day where your baby is at their happiest and most calm, and most likely to accept the formula,” says Dr. Song. Once you’ve established a one-bottle-a-day routine, you can gradually up the number of formula feedings.

Strategies for successful supplementation 

Now for the nitty-gritty: What exactly does a supplementation look like from one feeding to the next?

First off, you may have heard you should add breast milk to formula to give baby a taste of the familiar — but Dr. Song says you can skip this.

“I don’t recommend mixing breast milk and formula in the same bottle,” she says. “This isn’t dangerous for the baby, but if the baby doesn’t drink the entire bottle, the breastmilk that you’ve worked hard to pump may go wasted.” Good point — that stuff is liquid gold!

Next up, what about keeping up your supply? One strategy is to nurse first, then give formula at the end of a feeding.

“If you need to supplement after each or most feeds, nurse the baby first to completely empty your breasts, and then give supplemental formula,” says Dr. Song. “Doing that ensures that your baby still receives the maximum amount of breast milk possible, and reduces the chance that formula supplementation will lower your supply.”

Common problems — and their solutions

Beginning to supplement isn’t always smooth sailing. There may be an adjustment period while your baby gets used to this new form of feeding. Here are three common problems you may encounter.

Baby has trouble eating from the bottle

There’s no denying a bottle is pretty different from your breast, so the switch from skin to latex may be disconcerting for your little one at first.

It’s also possible that baby simply isn’t used to the amount of flow from the bottle or nipple you’ve selected. You can experiment with nipples of varying flow level to see if one hits the sweet spot.

You may also try repositioning your baby during feeding. While a certain position may be just right for breastfeeding, it might not be ideal for eating out of a bottle.

Baby is gassy or fussy after formula feeding

It’s not uncommon for babies to seem extra colicky after starting formula — or to start tooting up a storm. In both cases, excess intake of air is likely to blame.

Be sure to burp your baby thoroughly after each feeding. Or, again, try repositioning during feeding or offering a nipple with a different flow. In some cases, your baby may be reacting to an ingredient in the formula, so you may need to switch to another brand.

Baby won’t take the bottle

Uh-oh, it’s the scenario you feared: Your baby refuses the bottle altogether. Before you panic, try to keep your cool with a few troubleshooting techniques:

Nutrition fears during supplementation

Many moms who choose to supplement fear that their baby won’t get adequate nutrition when formula is introduced. While it’s true that formula doesn’t contain the same antibodies as breast milk, it does have to pass rigorous nutrient testing before it can be sold.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Trusted Source specifies that all infant formulas must contain a minimum amount of 29 important nutrients (and a maximum amount of 9 nutrients babies need less of). The FDA also states that it’s not necessary to fortify your baby’s diet with any vitamins or minerals when formula feeding.

Benefits and drawbacks of supplementation

Every baby-feeding situation comes with its pros and cons. On the plus side for supplementation, your baby will continue to get immunity-boosting antibodies from the milk your body creates. At the same time, you can enjoy more flexibility in your career, social life, and day-to-day activities.

On the other hand, reducing your rate of breastfeeding means losing its function as a natural birth control, since nursing is only proven to be effective for preventing pregnancy when done exclusively on demand. (This method of birth control is not 100 percent effective in preventing pregnancy.)

You might also see postpartum weight loss slowing down. (However, research is mixed on the effects of breastfeeding as a weight loss aid. A 2014 studyTrusted Source showed exclusive breastfeeding for 3 months resulted in just a 1.3-pound greater weight loss at 6 months postpartum compared to women who didn’t breastfeed or breastfed non-exclusively.

Choosing a formula for supplementation

Browse the baby aisle of any grocery store and you’ll be met with a wall of multicolored formulas tailored to every conceivable need. How do you know which one to choose?

It’s actually hard to go wrong, since formula has to pass those rigorous FDA standards. However, the AAP recommends infants who are partially breastfed be given iron-fortified formula until they’re 1 year old.

If you know or suspect your baby has a food allergy, you may want to opt for a hypoallergenic formula that can reduce symptoms like runny nose, tummy upset, or hives. And though you may notice many soy-based options, the AAP says there are “few circumstances” where soy is a better choice than dairy-based formulas.

Talk to your pediatrician if you have specific questions or concerns about choosing the best formula.

Does Baby Formula Help Adults Gain Weight

What is the best artificially produced nourishment for babies? Of course, it is the baby formula! Despite being commercially targeted towards babies, it is a product that has caught the attention of adults as well. 

Many speculations are surrounding it, which is why you should let this article guide you through its properties and uses.

But, can adults drink baby formula?

Yes, adults can drink baby formula. Although it is essentially made for babies, adults can drink it too. A fully grown adult will face no issues if he/she drinks baby formula. While there are no risks involved in consuming it, an adult will not receive ample nutritious benefits from baby formula.

What Is Baby Formula?

Baby formula is an artificially produced nourishment made for infants below the age of one year or twelve months. It usually comes in powdered and liquid forms. 

Since it is used as a replacement for milk, all the nutrients present in milk are incorporated into it. Milk itself consists of different ingredients as an ideal food, and so baby formula consists of them too.

Some ingredients that are commonly used in baby formula are cow milk whey, vegetable oils, vitamins, lactose, minerals, etc. The goal behind the production of every baby formula is to include as many nutrients as possible. Other than the six essential nutrients, other elements are also present to make it appear more appealing.

Baby formula is also known by names like infant formula, baby milk, infant milk, formula, etc.

Why Do Adults Drink Baby Formula? 

It’s becoming more common to find adults considering baby formula.

Here are some of the reasons why adults would want to put infant formula on their diet.

For extra nutrition

Because baby milk is packed with the right nutrients, some adults may want to drink it to make up for nutritional deficiencies.

Sort of like drinking supplements without having to take pills. 

It tastes good

Infant formula, like all food, tastes differently. While some brands of formula are not as palatable, some will entice your taste buds.

Because of the sweet taste of the milk, some people may be drawn to drinking the formula.

To build muscle

Some circles encourage grown men and women to drink baby formula to build muscles.

Baby milk contains 5mg of protein per serving.

For that reason, adults take the baby formula to develop their strength and look all buff. 

The thing is, you will need to take lots of baby formula to reach the required daily servings for adults.

When you compare baby formula vs. protein powder, the milk might not be the better option.

Formula lying around

If you have formula leftover and your kids aren’t going to drink it anymore, you might as well put the baby formula in coffee.

Check out this post for more tips on how to use leftover baby formula.

Best For Baby, Best For You?

Aside from breast milk, formula is the best food for babies.

This is because it’s made up of plenty of essential nutrients for a baby’s optimal growth.

When it comes to adults drinking baby formula, there are pros and cons.

What’s best for the baby might not be so good for you. 

What Do Adults Benefit From Drinking Baby Formula?

Human milk component

Some formulas are made with a substance called Human milk oligosaccharide (HMO).

This ingredient mimics the HMOs found in breast milk, which positively affects the human body.

Through studies, science has linked this HMO to the prevention and treatment of obesity, autism, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and Crohn’s disease.  

In light of this, it would make sense for adults to drink formula with HMO to help treat some of these conditions.

One brand of formula with HMO is Similac.

Does this justify adults drinking formula meant for babies?

Scientists are still researching more on this, and it is yet to be approved by the FDA.

But again, since this HMO is very useful, is baby formula for seniors a good idea? No, it is not.

Seniors need the added protection and nutrients, but there’s no reason why baby formula would be any better than adult nutritional powders like Ensure or Soylent.

Additionally, there are adult formulas that can be used for the elderly who struggle to eat. This would be an excellent option for their survival. 

Is Drinking Baby Formula A Good Idea For Adults?

Daily nutritional requirements

The required daily nutrition for adults is different from the requirements for babies.

The nutrients in the formula are meant to feed babies and not adults.

If you were to drink formula, you would need to drink lots of it to make up for adults’ nutrients.

Too much fat

Fats are a baby’s brain development superfood; that’s why baby formula is full of fat.

The fats also make up for the extra energy that the newborns need to grow.

For grown-ups, taking that much fat as part of your diet is not advisable.

It may lead to high cholesterol levels in your body, which can cause heart disease. 

If you are looking to gain weight, this might sound like an appealing side effect.

But can adults drink formula to gain weight? Well, it may be possible if you are drinking the formula along with other high-fat foods.

However, if all you are consuming is the formula, there are minimal chances of gaining weight unless you drink it by the gallons. Can you even do that?

Iron overdose

Most baby formulas are fortified with iron.

Therefore, if you take too much, which you will need if you live off formula, you may end up with an iron overdose.

While iron is a useful nutrient, too much of it may have the opposite effect. 

Excess iron in your body puts you at risk of iron poisoning, causing stomach pains, vomiting, etc.

Not only that, but excessive amounts of iron may have severe consequences such as brain damage. 

Too high cost

Formula doesn’t come cheap, especially the good ones. For this reason, taking it may not be the best of ideas to pump up nutrients.

If you are trying to save, the cost of taking baby milk may turn out to be higher than buying supplements.

Available alternatives

Babies have no option but to drink formula or breastmilk because their digestive system has not developed enough to eat other foods.

Milk gives them the nutrients they need without affecting their digestive system. 

Unlike babies, you have a fully developed gut. Therefore, you can get your nutrition from a good diet with fruits, vegetables, and everything you need.

Thus, if you stick to a good diet, there may be no reason to drink formula. 

Lactose intolerance

Some baby formulas contain lactose. Therefore, if you are lactose intolerant, it wouldn’t be a good idea to drink baby milk.

If that’s the case, but you are still thinking, “I love formula,” then you can maybe try soy-based formulas. 

can adults survive on baby formula

Can Adults Survive On Baby Formula Alone?

No. Adults cannot entirely survive on baby formula. It is designed for little humans, not full-grown adults.

The energy component alone would not be enough to keep you going.

Drinking formula like Enfamil for adults would be very similar to going on a juice fast. 

You can do it for a couple of days, but it’s not sustainable in the long term.

If you did try to survive entirely on formula, you would probably feel weak and out of it after a few days or hours.

Additionally, you’d have to drink lots of formula to keep up with your nutritional requirements. 

What Happens When Adults Drink Baby Formula?

Strictly speaking, if an adult ends up drinking a baby formula, no prolonged side effects will occur. However, since adults have a different course of nutrition, it is not very commendable.

First of all, a fully grown adult needs a specific amount of nutrients as a daily requirement. This amount is in no way comparable to that of an infant. Hence, replacing regular food with baby formula is not an option.

Again, baby formulas consist of a considerable amount of fat as well as iron. While these two nutrients are suitable for a growing human, an adult should only consume a controlled amount of these. Consuming too much fat or iron is not healthy for an adult.

Reasons Why Adults Drink Baby Formula

Despite having other options, some adults opt for baby formula. It is because of the following reasons:

Taste

Baby formula has an exceptional, sweet flavor. When made, it transforms into an easily digestible food as well. Some adults prefer such types of food, which is easy to consume and tastes sweet.

Additional Nutrition

Since it is actually a substitute for milk, baby formula has many essential nutrients. Adults deficient in these nutrients can prefer to make up by drinking baby formula instead of regular food.

Having Leftover Formula

Often, there is formula lying around at home, especially if you have babies. Sometimes, adults use this leftover formula to make food or for any other purpose.

Effects Of Drinking Only Baby Formula

Let us start by making one thing clear; Adults cannot survive on baby formula alone. People often conduct experiments by drinking only baby formula for a week or month or so. But the results are never effective.

To keep up with your daily nutrition requirements, you have to consume a lot of baby formula. Consuming the same food in large quantities can cause a loss of appetite at a point.

And if you fail to maintain the quantity, you will not receive enough nutrients. As a result, your body will suffer. Therefore, you can conclude that the effects of drinking only baby formula on a healthy adult are nothing but adverse.

Baby Formula Vs Protein Powder

Before getting into the comparison, let us describe what these two things are. You already know that baby formula is a liquid or powdered incorporation of all the major nutrients, made especially for infants. Protein powder, on the other hand, is powdered incorporation of protein sourced from plants, eggs, or milk.

Structurally, there are two differences between baby formula and protein powder. The baby formula consists of all the essential nutrients like carbohydrates, protein, fats, minerals, vitamins, etc. 

But protein powder does not include any other essential nutrient except protein. Moreover, baby formula has different states, whereas protein powder only comes in powder format.

Now comes the battle of efficacy. Protein powder is known for having huge quantities of protein. If we consider the day-to-day serving, the amount of protein available in average protein powders is somewhat equivalent to the daily protein needs of an adult.

On the other hand, the amount of protein present in an infant formula is very low compared to an adult’s daily protein needs. Regular food offers a decent amount of protein. And so, consumption of infant formula puts you in a disadvantageous position.

Is Safe to Drink Baby Formula for Adults?

Generally yes, baby formulas have been specifcially formulated to be super safe, so if its fine for children to drink it you can rest assured it safe for adults.

There are a few exceptions to this, of course. If you have any food allergies or sensitivities then you will need to check the ingredients list on the baby formula before drinking it.

And if your baby has a milk allergy, you should not drink the same baby formula as them.

Why Drink Baby Formula?

So now that we’ve established that adults can drink baby formula without any major issues, let’s explore some of the benefits of doing so.

Extra Nutrition

One big benefit is that baby formula is packed with nutrients that are essential for good health. These include protein, vitamins and minerals, all of which help to keep your body functioning at its best.

So it’s like taking vitamin pills but in drink form and something you can just add to your coffee.

To Build Muscle Instead of Protein Powder

Protein is also essential for building muscle, so if you’re looking to tone up and add some extra mass, drinking baby formula can help.

Baby milk often contains over 5mg of protein per serving. However, when you look at this compared to protein powder, which can contain up to 50g per serving, it isn’t as high. But it’s a good source of protein nonetheless.

When it comes to baby formula vs protein powder the baby formula contains all the important nutrients other than just protein such as vitamins, carbohydrates, fat minerals.

They may save your taking both supplements and protein powders and be less time consuming for you.

Human Milk Oligosaccharide

Some Baby Formula brands contain human milk oligosaccharides which have many proven health benefits. This includes boosting the immune system, reducing inflammation and boosting the infant’s microflora.

Oligosaccharide, normally found in breast milk, helps protect them again many infections, they have been shown to have anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory effects.

Breastfeeding babies are given all these benefits naturally from their mothers’ breastmilk.

Sweet Tasting

If you’re like me, you probably find the taste of plain water pretty unpalatable. But the baby formula is actually quite sweet and palatable, which makes it a great alternative to sugary drinks.

Not all brands taste the same so you might want to try a few different brands to find your favourite. However, if your baby formula turns pink, it may be infected so don’t drink it.

Convenience

Another big benefit of drinking baby formula is its convenience factor. You can buy it pre-packaged or in powder form, and it is easy to prepare.

Simply add water and give it a good shake or stir and you’re good to go!

To Save Wasting Infant Formula

If you have an extra formula and your children aren’t going to drink it, you might as well put it in coffee.

You might have bought some formula and found out that that type of formula didn’t agree with your baby, so have an opened tin that needs using up.

Can Adults Drink Similac?

Similac is a brand of baby formula. It is available in powder and liquid form, and contains all the essential nutrients that your body needs. So yes, you can definitely drink Similac as an adult.

However, as with any other baby formula, it is important to check the ingredients list before drinking it if you have any food allergies or sensitivities.

Why Not Drink Baby Formula?

So there you have it some of the pros of drinking baby formula as an adult. But what about the cons?

Could Cause Weight Gain

One potential downside is that if you drink too much baby formula, you might gain weight. This is because the baby formula is packed with calories, often more than you need in a day.

If you’re trying to watch your waistline, you might want to steer clear of baby formula.

Health Benefits Overstated

Some people argue that the health benefits of drinking formula have been overstated and that they are no better than regular old milk.

However, there is some evidence to suggest that baby milk can have some positive effects on your health.

Most baby formulas do not contain the human oligosaccharides which give the most benefits and they contain a lot fewer proteins than average protein powders.

They do not contain all the essential nutrients that a human body needs to survive.

Expensive

Another downside of drinking powdered milk is that it can be quite expensive. Especially if you buy it in pre-packaged form, it can be quite costly.

However, if you buy the powdered version, it is a bit more affordable.

Embarassing?

Some grown-ups might feel a bit embarrassed about drinking baby formula, especially if they are not parents. There is no shame in enjoying the benefits of this great product!

Many adults feel it gives them the nutrition they need and it is up to you to make informed decisions about your own lifestyle.

Risk of Too Much Iron

Some baby formulas contain quite high levels of iron, which can be harmful if consumed in large quantities.

If you’re going to drink baby formula, make sure you read the label carefully to check how much iron it contains.

If you have hemochromatosis or another iron overload disorder, you should avoid drinking baby milk altogether.

What happens when adults drink baby formula?

Some adults drink baby milk because they feel that it gives them the nutrition they need. Others drink it for convenience or to save wasting infant formula.

Baby milk can also be expensive, though the price varies depending on the brand and where you buy it from.

There are some potential downsides to drinking baby milk as an adult, including weight gain and the risk of consuming too much iron.

However, these risks can be mitigated by reading the label carefully and only drinking baby milk if you need it.

So overall, adults can drink baby formula safely and without any major risks. Just make sure to consult a doctor if you have any concerns.

Can adults survive on baby formula?

An 8oz bottle of formula will only provide about 100 calories whereas the average recommended for adults is 2000-2500, so that’s a lot of formula to consume to hit those calorie numbers!

So now that we’ve established that adults can drink baby formula without any major issues, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of doing so.

Can you put baby formula in coffee?

Yes, you can put a baby formula in coffee. It will taste different from your regular milk but if you’ve run out and can’t stand black coffee, why not give it a try?

Is there a milk formula for adults?

For very specific needs, there is a milk formula for adults who can only ingest food via tubes. This milk is a thickened liquid that is nutrient-rich and easy to digest.

It can be prescribed by a doctor.

Adult formulas are not for general consumption. People with Crohn’s disease or other gastrointestinal issues should consult a physician before drinking any milk formula.

New products are starting to feature baby formula for seniors

Elderly people need very specific dietary requirements and some companies are starting to produce an adult formula that caters to the elderly.

This formula is designed with added nutrients and a more easily digestible blend, perfect for those who might have trouble swallowing regular food. and have specific nutritional needs.

These are very different from babies milk.

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