Infant formula

Infant formulas are a category of food that has many offers, and a modern mother cannot decide which formula will suit her child. The question of choosing a formula for a child is not so difficult, even taking into account the individual approach. Therefore, a mother can choose the formula herself, having carefully studied all the nuances and composition.

Types of milk formulas

The question of the benefits of breastfeeding is always and everywhere discussed. And every modern mother knows about the large number of useful properties that are contained in her milk. But, despite this, there are situations in which a mother cannot feed her child due to a lack or complete absence of milk. Also, some mothers do not want to breastfeed, so they wean the baby.

Formula can be used as a baby's sole food or in combination with breast milk. Formula should always be prepared according to the directions, which means not using any milk in place of the water normally used for preparation. Formulas are designed to meet a baby's basic nutritional needs, although they lack some of the beneficial immune factors, enzymes, and nutrients found in breast milk. If you choose to feed your baby formula, either as a sole food or as a supplement to breast milk, you can choose from ready-to-feed options or concentrated liquid or powder forms that are mixed with water to prepare them before feeding your baby. Always follow the directions when preparing formula for your baby. This means adding only the specified amount of water and nothing else, including cow's milk. Cow's milk is not suitable for babies under 1 year of age, so it should not be used in place of water when preparing formula. Adding cow's milk can dilute your formula and cause nutritional deficiencies in your baby.

For mothers who are both breastfeeding and supplementing with formula, mixing breast milk and prepared formula together is fine because both provide adequate nutrition for the baby, but it may not be the best idea from a practical standpoint. The goal of breastfeeding and formula feeding is to maximize the amount of breast milk your baby consumes. So if you mix the two, you may end up with some leftover formula milk, which is a waste of precious breast milk. Instead, many mothers who supplement with formula try to offer breast milk first and only feed formula after the baby has had all of the breast milk. That way, any uneaten portion will be strictly from the bottle, and breast milk will not be wasted.

If the mother has very little milk, then you need to start feeding the baby with formula. How to transfer a baby to formula? First of all, you need to decide on the formula. If you have already done this, then you need to carefully observe the baby's reaction, whether he likes it or not. If you decide to transfer the baby to formula, then it is best to do it gradually, to give your body time to reduce the amount of milk that is produced. This will also give your baby time to adjust to having a different diet.

Babies use a different sucking action when drinking from a bottle, and it may take some time for a breastfed baby to get used to this type of feeding. However, sucking milk from the breast is harder than from a bottle, and over time the baby will understand this and will enjoy it.

It is best to start giving formula for the first time when your baby is happy and relaxed, not when he is very hungry, so that he can get a taste for it. Your baby does not need to drink all the milk in the bottle, let him eat as much as he wants and you should not force him.

If, despite all your efforts, your baby still does not want formula, you should try mixing the formula with breast milk. To do this, use a breast pump to express your breast milk. Depending on your personal preference, this can be done with an electric, manual, or battery-powered breast pump. The best time to do this is when your breasts are full, which is usually in the morning. Collect your breast milk in an appropriate storage container. Most breast pumps come with their own containers and bottles for breast milk.

Around mid-day, at the second or third feeding, mix breast milk with whole formula in a bottle. Combine about three parts breast milk to one part formula, which will initially prevent baby from realizing that it is not all breast milk. Shake the bottle to mix the two milks evenly.

Warm the bottle to body temperature, as babies who are used to getting breast milk from the breast may want warm formula. Warm the bottle by holding it under a warm faucet or by placing the bottle in a pan of warm water for a few minutes. Check the temperature of the liquid before giving it to your baby.

How to wean a baby to formula? The scheme for introducing formula to a baby does not have any special rules, only logical facts. Try to feed your baby when he is hungry, because in this case he will be able to eat it. As a rule, children do not refuse such feeding. Then gradually increase the amount of formula and reduce breast milk, if necessary. For example, if you plan to completely wean your baby from breast milk, increase the amount of whole formula that you mix with breast milk over time until you give your baby only formula. But still, if you do not breastfeed only because of work, then in the evening when you come home, try to give your baby the breast so that he still gets all the nutrients.

If all efforts are in vain and the baby does not want the mixture, then you must definitely pay attention to this and not force him. Maybe he just does not like the taste of this mixture. How to change the mixture for a baby? To do this, you yourself must try and try several options to choose a mixture that you like and that suits you.

Review and names of formulas for infants

How to choose a formula for a baby? The main rule is to consider that if you choose a certain formula, you will feed your baby with it for up to a year. Therefore, choose not only the quality, but also the price that suits you. After all, sometimes when changing formula, babies suffer more from intolerance, so you must be sure that you can afford this or that formula.

If the price suits you, then you should give preference to highly adapted mixtures, which are as close as possible in properties to mother's milk. Feeding infants with formula should begin with a simple mixture in this series. If the child has certain problems, then you can use mixtures with a composition that will be useful in a specific situation, but from the same line.

For example, a constipation formula for infants can help solve this problem only after changing the nature of the formula. Such dairy products contain lactulose, oligosaccharides and other substances that activate the movement of food in the baby's intestines and prevent constipation in the future. For example, the Humana Bifidus formula contains a special component, lactulose, which is not only a living environment for beneficial bacteria in the baby's intestines, but in itself it causes contraction and accelerates its motility. This allows you to forget about such problems as constipation. Constipation formulas for infants also include: NAN triple comfort, Nutrilon comfort. The Nestogen formula also contains prebiotics, so it can be used for constipation.

The formula for dysbacteriosis in infants can also be selected in accordance with the nature of the stool. After all, all adapted formulas contain probiotics and prebiotics that correct dysbiosis and stool at the same time.

The formula for diarrhea in infants can be changed for the period of diarrhea, if it is a simple transient condition against the background of an infection, or if there is a tendency to diarrhea, such formulas can be used on a permanent basis. If a child has diarrhea against the background of a viral infection, then in this case it is good to use, for example, the Humana HN formula. It contains less lactose, which helps the baby to digest the formula better and reduce diarrhea. When your baby is prone to diarrhea, then you need to permanently give preference to a formula that contains substances that prevent this condition. Such formulas include Similac due to the content of a rice thickener, which has natural antidiarrheal properties.

Highly adapted formulas allow you not only to select a formula based on the nature of the stool, but also to correct other problems. For example, premature babies who do not have a developed sucking reflex are fed only with special formulas. Formulas for weight gain for infants contain hydrolyzed compounds of proteins and fats that are easily digested even at low weight. They are irreplaceable for such babies until they can digest milk on their own. The most caloric formula for infants is liquid formulas, which are intended for low-weight children. They contain the maximum amount of protein for better weight gain.

Speaking about other adapted formulas, we should not forget about the Materna formula, which is produced in Israel. This formula is not only maximally adapted to breast milk, but also has a lot of microelements, an analogue of which is contained only in vitamin preparations. In Ukraine, such a formula is not available for general sale, you can only get it from abroad.

Among the non-adapted formulas, it is worth mentioning the Malutka formula, which is not adapted to breast milk. But its cheap analogues are more useful and affordable - this is the Nutrilact, Biolac formula.

The formula for atopic dermatitis in infants must be hypoallergenic. And such formulas for infants with allergies are prescribed special therapeutic for 4 months, with further assessment of the condition and reaction. If there is a result, then they switch to prophylactic hypoallergenic formulas for another 4 months. Protein-free formulas for infants are used as therapeutic formulas - these are those with deep protein hydrolysis, which does not allow the body to perceive these protein compounds as foreign. Which allows you to eliminate the manifestations of atopy.

If cow's milk allergy is established or suspected, then in this case infant formulas with goat's milk (nenny, kabrita) are used. But it is necessary to take into account that there may be a cross-allergic reaction, so you should not rely on such formulas one hundred percent. You can also use milk-free infant formulas that are diluted with water and do not cause allergic reactions.

Lactose-free formulas for infants are a group that is used for children with lactose intolerance and for children with lactase deficiency. These formulas have a specific unpleasant bitter taste, so mothers should not use them as an experiment without a doctor's recommendation.

Soy formula for infants is also used if the baby has an allergy to milk protein or intolerance to milk sugar. In this case, soy can be an excellent source of proteins and other essential substances, without the risk of cross-allergy.

Fermented milk formulas for infants can be used in the diet from 6 months. They provide the vital activity of beneficial flora in the intestines, and also contain calcium and phosphorus for the development of the child. In the future, fermented milk formulas and products should be in the diet of a child up to three years several times a week.

Porridge for infants on fermented milk mixture can be prepared if children do not want to eat pure mixture. In such cases, in order to preserve the benefits of fermented milk products, you can resort to such a trick, because the sweetness of the porridge will not allow the child to feel the fermented milk taste.

The reaction to the formula in infants must be assessed after each new food introduced. It is necessary to pay attention to possible allergic reactions, stool. An allergy to the formula in infants can be to a certain vitamin in its composition, as well as to a component. How does an allergy to the formula manifest itself in infants? This can be a rash on the cheeks or upper body, arms, which naturally intensifies after taking this formula. In such cases, the mother should study the composition of the formula and find out what could have caused the allergy in order to exclude this component in another formula.

The stool of a formula-fed baby can be very different and the main thing is that it does not cause the child anxiety and problems with the tummy. Green stool in a formula-fed baby is also possible, and this is not scary, because stool is waste material. And depending on the environment in the intestines and the nature of the food, it can change.

A white tongue after formula in a baby is a common cause for concern for parents. But this is quite normal, because after eating, your tongue is also colored the same color as the food you ate. Therefore, if there is just a white tongue without rashes, then you should not worry.

If a baby spits up after formula or vomits after formula, it does not necessarily mean that it is not suitable for him. Perhaps you just overfed the baby, so try giving less next time. The volume of formula for a baby depends on his weight and is written on each package.

What to do if a baby refuses the formula, eats poorly or eats little formula? This is a sign that he does not like the taste and you need to try changing to another brand. How to understand that the formula is not suitable for the baby and what to do? If the baby cries after the formula or constipation occurs in the baby after the formula, then you probably need to choose a formula with a more comfortable composition for digestion.

It is very difficult to compile a rating of infant formulas, since each child is different. Parents themselves can recommend one or another formula, but it is not a fact that a certain one will suit your baby. After all, they can affect the child's stool, gas formation, and digestion processes in different ways. Parents' reviews once again emphasize that each child has its own formula.

The best baby formula, according to pediatricians, is not a specific company, but the one that suits your baby. After all, all companies adhere to high quality in matters of baby food.

The use of milk formulas in feeding infants should be a very important issue, because what parents feed their child affects its growth and development. Therefore, before switching to milk formulas, you should study all the characteristics and choose the one that will best suit your baby not only in taste but also in other parameters.