It is generally known that a mother’s milk provides the best nourishment for baby. And because of its uniqueness, breast milk cannot be exactly duplicated by formula milk.

However, if you want the best for your toddler, it is advisable and safe to read the labels of any toddler milk you plan to give your little one. This is very important as you can get almost all the needed information on a particular formula from its label. A mum should check the manufactured and expiry date of the formula before feeding it to the baby so that you won't be feeding her expired toddler formula.

Also, it is important to check the label on toddler milk formula so as to know the ingredients of the formula.

While there is no set list of what goes into formula, some nutrients like DHA and AA are strongly recommended by experts.

Here are some of the nutrients that is supposed to be present in a toddler milk formula.

Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)

It is an essential omega-3 fatty acid that is also found in oily fish like salmon, mackerel and tuna.

It helps to boost baby's brainpower and eye development.

Arachidonic Acid (AA/ARA)

This is a type of omega-6 fatty acid that is found in eggs, meat and fish.

It is good because it helps to balance the DHA level and support a healthy immune system.

Taurine

This is also amino acid. It can be present in seafood and meat and it helps babies digest fat and also ensure that their liver works efficiently.

Choline

It is a nutrient in the vitamin B family. Choline can be found in natural food sources like eggs, soya and liver.

It is essential to support your baby’s nervous system and metabolise fat.

Alpha protein (alpha-lactalbumin)

This is the primary protein in breast milk and is easily digested by babies. It is also found in the whey protein part of cow’s milk.

If a Formula milk is enriched with the nutrient, it allows for a lower total protein level. The reason why breastfed babies are usually less prone to obesity than formula-fed babies could be due to the lower protein levels found in human milk.

Prebiotics

Prebiotics are non-digestible ingredients that serve as food for the good bacteria in the gut. They are present in fruits, vegetables and legumes, and you may come across them as Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) or Galactooligosaccharides (GOS).

They encourage the growth of friendly bacteria in Baby’s colon.

Probiotics

Common strains include Bifidobacterium Lactis and BL Bifidus families of live cultures. They can be found in yogurt.

They add to the gut’s healthy bacteria, and help in strengthening Baby’s immunity.

Lutein

This is a kind of carotene that is also found in green and yellow vegetables.

It plays an important role in protecting eyes and vision.

Nucleotides

It is a building blocks for DNA and meat is the best natural food source. It was proven that nucleotides may enhance Baby’s immune system.