Feeding a Newborn Baby At and after birth, the best food for a baby is breast milk. And a good thing, too. Although there are some differences between formulas, all milk-based formulas provide roughly the same nutritional benefit to a baby. Soy-based formulas are also roughly equal as far as basic nutritional content is concerned. If you are going to breast feed, do not give a bottle as well, at least for the first few weeks.
Babies are smart.
They will figure out pretty quickly that they have to work much less to drink from a bottle than from their mothers. Avoid playing Musical Formulas with your baby. Do not give low-iron formula to your baby. Studies, including controlled trials, have shown again and again that regular iron-containing formulas do not cause constipation or other stomach or intestinal problems. Do NOT give plain cow's milk to your baby.