From the first days of life, parents provide their baby with the best nutrition. Indeed, breast milk is the best food for the baby, rich in minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Ideally, up to six months, it should be the baby’s only source of nutrition. Breast milk has a complex structure and contains all the nutrients a baby needs for proper growth and development. In addition to nutrients, breast milk also includes a variety of “biotics” – prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics. One of the essential components of breast milk is oligosaccharides favorably influencing gut microbiota development and are the key to a robust immune system. The value of breast milk is superior, so it is taken as a benchmark for creating the baby formula.
The effect of formula on a baby is not limited to growing and gaining weight. Milk formula contains components that contribute to the development of the baby’s brain and central nervous system, the ability to react to the outside world, speak, and think.
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Infant formula ingredients for better baby development
Source: ingredientsnetwork.com
Although baby food production is strictly regulated, there are still a few indicators that can make formula better or worse for babies. These are the ingredients desirable in the composition but not required.
Nucleotides
It is known that the main goal in baby formula production is to resemble breast milk as perfectly as possible. When nucleotides were found in breast milk, they began to be added to the formula. Based on different scientific studies, it is considered that they have a positive effect on the formation of the immune system and the development of the baby’s body in general. However, breast milk contains many times more nucleotides than any formula (which, by the way, has about the same amount of nucleotides, if any). So, if a formula is positioned as the best on the basis that it has a lot of nucleotides and others do not, what is that? That’s right, a publicity stunt that has no scientific basis.
Prebiotics
These unique substances help your baby’s gastrointestinal tract settle more quickly with beneficial bacteria and form a microflora. Their discovery in milk and usage in infant formula has been a breakthrough. They improve digestion, eliminate problems with stools and gas.
Oligosaccharides
Source: niehs.nih.gov
This is one of the components of breast milk, occupying a large percentage of it. The attempt to recreate them and introduce them into the composition also had a significant effect on the quality of the formula, noticeably improving it. The point is that this ingredient can either be synthesized artificially or obtained from plants. There is as yet no other way to get oligosaccharides for infant formula. But this does not stop advertisers from claiming that the oligosaccharides in a formula from a particular manufacturer are identical to those in breast milk. Of course, this has nothing to do with reality.
Probiotics
Probiotics should not be confused with prebiotics. There are many varieties or strains of them, and those approved for use in formulas have been rigorously selected. Usually, the probiotics added to the formula effectively strengthen the immune response or prevent allergies. But it is more important to note that a doctor should strictly supervise the choice of a formula with probiotics and determine how to give a particular baby a particular strain of probiotics. By the way, there are some marketing specialists at work here, too. Some manufacturers write that probiotics create a gut shell from their formulas, but it doesn’t have to be so.
Probiotics are a temporary measure to help the baby’s gastrointestinal tract.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids
DHA or PUFAs fatty acids are often placed on packages. The manufacturer claims that the presence of this component actively develops the brain and visual system. However, even this claim has no scientific basis. Yes, PUFAs positively affect the brain, and a rare formula does not contain them now. But there is no scientific evidence that they are guaranteed to have a positive effect on brain development. The research results have been far too mixed for such a claim.
What is the best formula for infants?
Source: safesitter.org
Parents should always choose baby food for their babies based on the pediatrician’s recommendations. At the same time, every attentive parent has to be accustomed to the basic principles, which will help to choose the right formula. In order to choose a baby formula for a newborn, you have to remember what requirements a quality baby formula meets.
- For newborn babies, you should only choose starter formulas. They are closest in composition to breast milk, easily digested and absorbed by the infant’s body.
- When choosing a formula, you should strictly follow the age recommendations. It is only possible to introduce formula feeding of a newborn baby from the first stage of formula. It is not recommended to switch to a different formula stage before six months.
- If your baby has any health problems or has digestive difficulties, choose specialized formulas. By the way, it is not necessary to completely transfer your baby to a therapeutic formula. In some cases, it will be enough to replace 1-2 feedings a day.
- Do not blindly follow advertising, always study the composition of the formula, compare it with other formula variants. If possible, choose a formula that contains vegetable oils and is rich in vitamins and minerals.
- Pay attention to the expiration date of the formula. Do not buy a baby formula with a short shelf life.
- Keep an eye on your baby’s reaction to the food. If allergies or digestive problems occur, see your pediatrician. It is possible that the formula chosen is not suitable for your little one and needs to be changed.
Organic infant formula can be the best baby milk option for your baby. Every day organicsbestshop.com puts their knowledge, experience, and efforts to provide the best food for your baby, the composition of which will be as close to breast milk as possible. If you want to set the right direction for developing the baby’s body, to improve health and immunity – organic formula brands such as HIPP, Holle, Lebenswert, Loulouka, and Kendamil will suit your little one’s diet perfectly.
