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The need to choose a complementary food for infants can occur for several reasons that preclude exclusive breastfeeding . But nowadays this is not a problem, we have great baby formula available on the market, prepared with all the nutrients to supply your main needs for perfect development.
Breastfeeding
The World Health Organization (WHO) as well as the Ministry of Health tirelessly recommends breast milk as the only source of food for the baby at least until the 6th month, since mother’s milk is considered the ideal food because it meets all nutritional needs of the little ones in addition to strengthening the mother-child bond.
But when it is not possible to strictly follow this orientation, there is no need to worry, the baby’s milk formulas are also capable of meeting these needs, we can even say that they are great “imitations” of breast milk.
Baby Milk
We already know the importance of breast milk and the recommendation as the only food source for the baby at least until the 6th month of life and along with other foods up to 2 years of age. But some mothers, for various reasons, cannot exclusively support breastfeeding, and it is necessary to supplement their diet with infant milk or the appropriate formula.
Baby milk formulas are developed to replace breast milk with high quality and equivalent nutritional value. Renowned and highly reliable brands manufacture these formulas in several types, each suitable for a phase of the baby’s life from the first days of life to the first years, as well as formulas that meet special dietary needs, such as dietary restrictions, allergies , among other situations where milk with a specific preparation is needed.
The major brands offer complete lines of infant formula with differentiated milks for babies with lactose intolerance , for example. Hypoallergenic, soy-based, anti-reflux formula specific to each child’s stage and age.
Mothers’ Doubts
It is very common for this subject to be addressed in forums on the internet and in the wheels of moms eager to know all the options and to know all the pros and cons of each one. Faced with so many options of infant milk of excellent quality and with great references, it is really difficult to choose which one is in fact the ideal for your baby is not it?
We will try to help you in this research, bringing relevant information for you to know a little more about all the available options and to be able to make a decision without any doubt! But don’t forget. This decision should be made in conjunction with the pediatrician who will always take your baby’s condition and needs into consideration.
Knowing the Composition of Milk Formula
It is unquestionable the concern of mothers who want to know in depth the components of infant milk formulas , after all we are talking about the health and development of our treasures, and really in the first phase of life, food is extremely important.
In fact, there are many options available today and they are all very similar. However, each brand offers a line of infant formulas with different caloric densities and with specific nutritional components , meeting the diverse needs: from infants to the 6th month (starting), premature babies, allergy sufferers, etc.
There are always brands that stand out, for having great approval from moms and that end up being the most recommended by many pediatricians . The needs of each baby, the clinical condition they present, whether the formula will only serve as complementary food or the infant’s only food is taken into account when the doctor chooses one of them.
Be sure to talk to the pediatrician about its composition and understand the reasons for the indication , do not hesitate to clarify any doubts or insecurities, perfectly understandable at this moment, but that must be resolved so that you can safely feed your baby and the certainty that he is getting everything he needs to grow up strong and healthy.
Formula Types
There are countless brands on the market that develop formulas rich in nutrients that are essential for healthy growth. The milk is powdered and sold in cans, usually in two sizes and depending on the type of formula and the brand, the price can vary widely.
Basically, there are four types of formula: milk-based, soy-based, lactose-free and hypoallergenic .
Important: these products should only be used to feed children under 1 (one) year of age with the express indication of the doctor or nutritionist. Breastfeeding prevents infections and allergies and strengthens the mother-child bond.
Allergy to cow’s milk protein
There are formulas based on whey protein extensively hydrolyzed, indicated for diet therapy of infants and early childhood children who are allergic to cow’s milk or soy protein.
It usually contains nucleotides and prebiotics, LC-PUFAS, which are long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, very important for children’s neurological development. Most formulas of this type do not contain gluten, sucrose, fructose in their composition and most of their carbohydrates are lactose.
These components are transferred to the fetus through the placenta and are present in breast milk . Some babies may not be able to convert these fatty acids in sufficient quantities to ARA and DHA, so it is necessary to supplement these nutrients through milk.
Infant milk for each stage
Many brands offer an infant formula suitable for each phase of the child, usually represented by the numerals, 1, 2 and 3 . Milks for phase 1 are indicated for infants 0 to 6 months of age. They usually have prebiotics that strengthen the immune system, in addition to easily digestible vegetable fats. The carbohydrates contained in these formulas are 100% lactose, which is the milk sugar.
The formulas for phase 2 are known as the follow-up formula. Produced with the proper dosage of nutrients to help the development of children between 6 and 12 months of age, it is also enriched with iron and the amount of carbohydrates contained in these formulas is generally balanced between lactose and maltodextrin.
For older babies (from the 10th month onwards), the formula indicated is phase 3, which in addition to containing all the important nutrients for children in this age group, Omega 3 (DHA) is also added.
Soy Infant Milk
The formulas soy protein-based isolated from lactose, sucrose, or cow’s milk protein. It is a milk enriched with iron and also with the amino acid. This type of milk is indicated for babies up to 6 months of age or from this age, under medical indication mainly for cases of lactose intolerance, where it is necessary to take cow’s milk from the diet.
Well, these are some of the baby milk options that meet the main needs of infant feeding and follow-up. But each baby has its particularities, but remember: deciding which formula is the most appropriate is a decision that should be recommended by the pediatrician.
See Also: How to Increase Breast Milk – Beginning Breastfeeding
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.