All you need to know about infant formula
All you need to know about infant formula
Contents
1 The best infant formula
2 Choose formula
3 components of breast milk
4 benefits of breast milk
6 References
The best infant formula
Breastfeeding, in which the infant gets milk from his mother’s breast,
is the best option for full-grown infants in the womb of their mothers,
and who do not suffer from health problems that prevent them from accepting and benefiting from it.
Among the guidelines and recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics is that babies are fed from birth to the sixth month of breastfeeding only.
It is also advised to continue breastfeeding the child after that until at least the first year of age, in fact breastfeeding can be a wonderful experience.
Breastfeeding ensures that the breastfed baby receives optimal nutrition, and fosters a strong bond between mother and child.
It should be noted that mothers – especially female workers – can use a
breast pump to express milk and then store it to feed the infant.
With the aim of continuing to feed the infant from the mother’s breast
milk outside the home and at work hours.
However, it is essential to follow safe and healthy storage methods.
Where it is recommended to keep the milk after expressing it directly from the breast in clean
and suitable containers such as special milk storage bags,
Milk preserved at room temperature can be used within 4-6 hours
or stored in the refrigerator within 3-5 days, and it can be stored in freezing and used within 6-12 months.
Choose formula
There are some cases where the mother resorts to giving the infant formula such as;
First, there are insufficient quantities of breast milk.
Second, the infant’s low efficiency in sucking,
Third, there is a need to know the amount of milk the infant consumes,
Fourth, because of the mother taking a medicine that can reach the infant through milk,
Fifthly, if the mother is working in a job,
Sixth, there is a health problem in the mother or infant that requires the use of a special formula of formula milk.
*It should be noted that most formulas contain modified cow’s milk in addition to some minerals and vitamins,
but some types contain other special formulas, including the following:
1- Soy Nutritional Formula:
Soy milk contains the proteins found in soybeans, and it is used for infants
who suffer from lactose intolerant, galactosemia, or an allergy to cow’s milk.
2- Special formula for sensitivity:
It is used for those who are allergic to the protein found in cow’s milk and soy, because this formula contains simple proteins that were previously broken down.
3- Partially digested form:
This formula is intended for an infant prone to a milk allergy, as this formula contains hydrolyzed and partially broken-down proteins.
4- Lactose-Free Formula:
This formula is used for an infant who is lactose intolerant and can also be used temporarily for an infant suffering from diarrhea.
5- Formula for premature babies:
This formula is characterized by containing additional amounts of protein, calcium, and calories needed to secure the nutrition that the child needs for growth,
This is because the baby is born early, that is, before the 37th week of pregnancy.
6- Anti-reflux formula:
This formula contains rice starch that thickens the milk, which helps the milk remain in the stomach, thus reducing the reflux of milk and stomach acids into the esophagus.
Breast milk components
- Breast milk contains more than 200 natural ingredients.
- In fact, the proportions of the nutritional components of natural breast milk vary among women, and these ratios also vary in the woman’s milk itself during the day and during one breastfeeding session.
- As milk initially contains a small amount of fat, while this amount increases significantly at the end of the breastfeeding session.
- It should also be noted that colostrum (in English: Colostrum) is yellow in color that comes out of the breast in the first days after the birth of the child, and which is rich in important nutrients for the infant at the beginning of his life.
- It contains additional amounts of beta-carotene, vitamin E, zinc, and proteins, while the amount of fat is reduced.
- Over time, it gradually changes until it reaches milk that contains a higher proportion of fat and lactose.
Features of breast milk
Breastfeeding brings many benefits and advantages for the mother and the child, including the following:
1- Child Resistance to Diseases:
Breastfeeding helps the baby fight some types of infections such as; Ear infection, and respiratory infection, through the antibodies that the mother gives to the child, which increases the strength of his immunity,
Breastfeeding also protects the baby from some health problems such as; Allergy, asthma, and diabetes.
2- Ensure nutrition and ease of digestion:
Breast milk is easier to digest than formula, and thus the problems of constipation and diarrhea in a child are reduced with breastfeeding.
3- Lack of cost:
Breastfeeding from breast milk is totally inexpensive unless the mother wants to use a milk pump and a milk bottle, and breastfeeding reduces the costs of seeing a doctor and buying medicines because it reduces the possibility of disease.
4- Diversification of flavors:
The flavor of natural milk varies depending on the diet of the breastfeeding mother, who needs to eat balanced meals, as these various flavors make it easier for the child to accept solid foods later.
5- Ease of handling and use:
Breast milk is distinguished by its ease of providing fresh and healthy milk at every time and place, and does not need to wash the bottle and nipple in the middle of the night.
6- Additional benefits for the mother:
Breastfeeding helps the nursing mother to feel self-confident about taking care of the baby,
It also helps burn calories, thus helping to regain the weight and shape it was in before pregnancy within a shorter period.
Additionally, some studies indicate that breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.
İmportant notice:
The content of the submitted articles, including all text, graphics, images, and other materials, is provided for educational purposes only.
The information provided is not a substitute for professional medical advice or professional diagnosis.
Moreover, the information on this website should not be taken as final medical advice in relation to any case or individual situation.
We strongly recommend that you always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health service provider with any questions you may have regarding any medical condition, your general health, or the health of your child.
References
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