Q My doctor doesn’t recommend that I breastfeed because of a medication I take. Which formula should I use? There are so many kinds. Should my brand contain prebiotics?

A Start your baby on a milkbased formula. Specialty formulas can help with specific digestive issues in pre-term, gassy, lactose-intolerant, and reflux-prone babies. But the hospital will most likely start a healthy, full-term baby on a standard cow’s milk formula.

As for prebiotics, these compounds help establish healthy flora in the digestive tract. Formulas that contain them most closely mimic breast milk and will potentially decrease the risk of future gastrointestinal problems for your baby. So I think they’re a helpful addition.