How to choose a formula for a newborn

Of course, we all know that for a newborn baby there is nothing more useful than mother's milk. But what if, for some reason, breastfeeding is impossible? How to choose the right baby food for your baby?

Lactose-free formula for newborns

Digestion problems are increasingly common in newborn babies. Parents blame poor quality products or the peculiarities of the crumbs for this. But often vomiting, loss of appetite and gas in the intestines are explained low digestibility of lactose... In this case, it is better to feed the baby with a lactose-free mixture.

Meals based on a lactose-free mixture are classified as medicinal. It is impossible to transfer a child to such mixtures on his own, since lactose is an important component of baby food. The difference between regular meals and lactose-free formulas is as follows:

• Lactose is excluded only for a certain time. At the end of the course of treatment, a check is made to see how the absorption of milk sugar by the child's body has improved.
• Only parents must decide which protein lactose mixture is right for their baby.
• Lactose-free food tastes bad. Therefore, it is necessary to be prepared for the fact that the child may abandon him.
• Long-term feeding with such a diet can lead to colic, imbalance of intestinal microflora, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems.

The lactose-free mixture should not be introduced into the child's diet right away. Such a sudden transition to a new diet can lead to constipation. On the first day, it is enough to add only 30 ml of the new mixture. On the second day, the amount of the mixture is doubled and added to the child's diet twice. Then the new food will be well absorbed. In the same way, the baby should be transferred to the usual mixture.

Fermented milk mixtures for newborns

Baby food based on fermented milk mixture also belongs to the category of medicinal. The composition of these mixtures helps to normalize the baby's condition during an exacerbation of the disease or disorder. Such a mixture is prescribed by a pediatrician, taking into account the child's health, existing individual intolerances and age.

Fermented milk mixtures contain bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. They feel great in the intestines of the child, improve its microflora and normalize the digestion process. They are prescribed for such conditions of the child as colic, lack of appetite, constant constipation, difficulty in digesting food.

The attending physician should choose the fermented milk mixture. At the same time, he is based in his choice on the age of the child and his state of health. Fermented milk mixtures by age are divided into fully adapted, which can be given to the baby from birth, and partially adapted, recommended from the age of 6 months.

When feeding a baby with such nutrition, one should take into account what is amplified regurgitation... Therefore, it is optimal to alternate food with a fermented milk mixture and a fresh one. In case of constipation in a child, it is also recommended to alternate the usual fresh mixture with fermented milk. If the violations are acute, it is recommended to completely transfer the crumb to a fermented milk mixture. Nutritional therapy is introduced gradually, starting from 30 ml. This volume then doubles every day, gradually replacing one or more feedings with a new diet.

Rating of formulas for newborns

If you are feeding a baby artificially, then you need to choose baby food in such a way that its composition is as close as possible to natural breast milk. From this point of view, the following are the best formulas for baby food:

• A Nutricia product called Nutrilon 1 Premium. Its composition is exactly the same as in human breast milk, the content of lactose, protein and fat. Whey protein and casein are found in the same proportion as in natural breast milk. In addition, there are all the vitamins and minerals required for the baby, additionally included are amino acids, nucleotides and prebiotics. The disadvantages include the absence of probiotics and the limiting ratio of linoleic and α-linoleic acids.

• Humana Expert 1 infant formula from Humana has the same basic characteristics as the previous one. The difference is that the protein content in it is slightly higher than in breast milk. The positive aspects include the optimal ratio of linoleic and α-linoleic acid, the presence of amino acids, vitamins and minerals, nucleotides and prebiotics. The disadvantage of this diet is the absence of probiotics.

• Nestlé NAN-1 Optipro baby food has an optimal amount of protein, is suitable for feeding newborns, does not contain palm oil. In addition to essential vitamins and minerals, it contains amino acids, nucleotides and probiotics. On the negative side, this mixture tastes sweeter due to its high lactose content, is free of prebiotics and can put additional stress on the kidneys.