Is organic really that much better for babies?  Well, Similac, one of the leading empires of baby formula, thinks so and I think so too.  The company recently came out with an “organic” version of their already very popular formula.  Used and recommended by hospitals nationwide, Similac has an incredible reputation among parents and pediatricians.  I HAD to give it a try!!!  With the craze of going healthy and natural, anything containing corn syrup is a no-no!  Not having corn syrup makes a world of difference because I am keeping the fertilizers, pesticides, and antibiotics out of my child. Through research, I discovered that the ingredients found in fertilizers, growth hormones, pesticides are unhealthy and are being fed to cows through eating the grass, which in turn consumed by my baby are carcinogens.  What a scary thought!  Despite it being organic, the Similac brand has some controversy regarding the kind of sugar they use. A recent article by The New York Times (read the full article here) states that “Parents may be buying it because they believe that organic is healthier, but babies may have a reason of their own for preferring Similac Organic: it is significantly sweeter than other formulas. It is the only major brand of organic formula that is sweetened with cane sugar, or sucrose, which is much sweeter than sugars used in other formulas.
No health problems in babies have been associated with Similac Organic. But to pediatricians, there are risks in giving babies cane sugar: Sucrose can harm tooth enamel faster than other sugars; once babies get used to its sweeter taste, they might resist less sweet formulas or solid foods; and some studies suggest that they might overeat, leading to rapid weight gain in the first year, which is often a statistical predictor of childhood obesity.”

Like the article states, there IS a difference between sugar in this formula and other organic formulas. Other organic formulas such as Earth’s Best and Bright Beginnings contain lactose. True, they’re both sugars, but lactose is what’s found in breast milk, is a more complex sugar, generally takes longer for the body to break down, which in general is a good thing.  The explanation of the use of sucrose instead of lactose in this formula could be that it is cheaper than organic lactose.  After trying out the Similac Organic formula, I have found that it caused my baby some painful gas, which made him cry inconsolably. After doing some research and seeing that many people were having this problem, we consulted our pediatrician and switched to Bright Beginnings. Within a day of the transition, we started seeing more frequent stooling with a healthy consistency and less irritability.  Similac Organic formula is certified organic, has DHA and ARA, special nutrients found in breast milk that are clinically proven to support mental and visual development in baby’s first year, has a higher level of special nutrients to help support baby’s developing immune system, and provide the balance of protein, minerals, and other nutrients.  However, with a high price tag of $30 for 25 oz. can, you can find better options such as the Earth’s Best, Bright Beginnings, and Parent’s Choice.