Specialty Baby Formula: Everything You Need to Know

When a baby is born with certain food allergies or with gastrointestinal problems, it can be very important for their health to find a formula that addresses these issues. These formulas are called specialty baby formula and were created to address issues such as food allergies, metabolic disorders, or premature birth weights.

In many states, insurance will cover the cost of these formulas as they can be costlier than normal formula.

How is specialty baby formula different from regular formula?

For babies who need specialty baby formula, it’s often because they cannot tolerate some of the ingredients in cow’s milk or have a medical condition that requires the nutrition found in specialty baby formula.

One of the most popular types of specialty baby formula is hypoallergenic baby formula. The proteins in this specialty baby formula are broken down into their smallest form, which makes it easier for the baby to digest. Babies who are struggling with a maldigestion or malabsorption issue can require a hypoallergenic formula.

Specialty baby formula still provides the same nutritional benefits but is better tolerated by sensitive stomachs.

What conditions may require specialty baby formula?

There are numerous conditions that may require a baby to drink specialty baby formula. These include:

Food allergies

Nearly 5% of children under the age of five are affected by food allergies. These can cause a range of issues, everything from rashes to breathing problems to fussiness/colic.

CF (Cystic Fibrosis)

CF is a genetic disorder that affects the lungs, digestive system, and other organs. It is a genetic disease and is passed down from parents. Babies with CF will not break down proteins correctly and will require specialty baby formula both for digestion and to aid in weight gain.

EoE (Eosinophilic Esophagitis)

This is a chronic allergic inflammatory disease of the esophagus that will require infants to drink a specialty baby formula. The symptoms often include nausea, regurgitation, vomiting, stomach pain, and heartburn.

GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)

Babies with GERD usually spit up constantly and may display some colic-like symptoms including constant screaming which can be taxing on parent and baby. They may also frequently vomit and have a cough. A specialty baby formula may help these infants by providing a formula that is gentler on their digestive track and easier to break down. For parents dealing with colic, specialty baby formula can help save their sanity.

Specialty Baby Formula Through Insurance
If you have a baby who is struggling, it can be a relief to find a specialty baby formula that can help with symptoms, but it is a blow when parents realize how much they cost. That’s where we come in. At Insurance Covered Baby Formula, we help parents get their specialty baby formula covered through insurance.

We carry a wide range of specialty formulas and help parents get them covered by insurance.

We know that parenting takes a village and we want you to be successful!

See if your insurance will cover one of our formulas by clicking here and contact us if you have any questions.