Ensuring proper nutrition during the first months and years is one of the most important things in the development of human life. The nutrition a child receives, particularly up to the first year of life, will have lifelong effects on his/her growth and developmental abilities as well as susceptibility to future medical illness. With that been said, you should be focused on providing your baby with the best nutrition possible.

Without question, breastfeeding is the optimal feeding for most normal, healthy infants. However for some infants, due to specific conditions or because a mother may choose not to breastfeed, breast milk is not an option. In these situations, infant formulas are the best way to ensure proper nutrition.

When it comes to choosing the right newborn formula, there are some factors you should keep in mind.

Some newborn formula brands have a much higher protein content than breastmilk. Studies have shown that excessive protein intake in the first two years of an infant's life (potentially through baby formula) could lead to childhood obesity. The Australian Dietary Guidelines suggests parents choosing a lower-protein. According to them, infants up to six months old should intake about 10 grams of protein per day, which is similar to what would be consumed through breastmilk. So, when buying a newborn formula, look at the nutritional panel on the packaging for protein content per 100ml. Choose a formula that has the lowest protein count per 100ml.

Because baby formula manufacturers are basically trying to sell you the exact same product, they are anxious to be the first on the market with any new ingredients which 'of course' may help with your baby's health or development. This can make pretty confusing to work out what all the claims on the labels mean. Here are some common ingredients and what they are meant for.

Probiotics are 'good' bacteria that can help keep your baby's digestive system healthy. Probiotics and prebiotics are naturally found in breastmilk, but can also be added to infant formula during manufacture. The most common types of probiotics are Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. Probiotics have been linked to lower a child's risk of food-related allergies and asthma, improve the symptoms of infant colic and prevent urinary tract infections. However, any benefits appear to occur only as long as the probiotics are being taken.

Gold formulas contain certain types of fats added to them, such as long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs), which are considered to be important in the development of the brain and eyes. Breastmilk naturally contains LCPUFAs. It hasn't been proved yet that if these added fats in formulas work in the same way as those naturally found in breastmilk, or if they are absorbed as effectively.

Standard formulas are often unsuitable for babies who have health issues. While some special needs formulas are available without prescription, parents should only use them with medical advice.

The term AR stands for anti-regurgitation. When a baby has reflux, a special formula that is thickened is often recommended. Thickened formulas may reduce frequency and volume of regurgitation (vomiting), but won't alleviate pain from oesophagitis. So, if you suspect your baby has gastro-oesophageal reflux, seek your doctor's advice because not all babies are helped by thickened feeds, and some might need medication.

The term HA stands for hypo-allergenic. When babies have a high risk of allergies and aren't able to be breastfed, hypo-allergenic formulas are suggested. In HA formulas, the proteins are broken down into smaller parts. Understand that these formulas aren't suitable for babies with a diagnosed allergy to cow's milk. Allergy to cow's milk is known to affect about 2% of infants under two years of age.

It is a cow's milk-based formula that has been treated with enzymes to break down most of the proteins that cause symptoms. This formula is often the first choice for babies with a diagnosed cow's milk allergy.

This formula is used by around 10% of children with cow's milk allergy. It is tolerated by almost all children with soy or cow's milk allergies.

Babies that are allergic to cow's milk can also be allergic to soy milk. So, before giving your baby soy formula, consult with your doctor. Although soy formulas are labelled as suitable from birth, many health professionals only recommend using them for babies aged 6-12 months. And there are other concerns about soy formula as well. Soy contains high levels of oestrogen-like substances, called phytoestrogens, which might affect a child's hormonal development. Furthermore, the glucose syrup which artificially sweetens soy formula could be damaging to your baby's teeth. Experts suggest limiting the use of soy-based formulas to those infants with a rare medical condition or those who cannot consume dairy-based products for cultural or religious reasons.