Every mother faced with the need to introduce milk formula into her baby's diet has to choose from a variety of brands. It’s not easy to navigate through all that the market has to offer. But it’s extremely important to know what’s in your infant’s food. Here are some things you should know about formula ingredients.
Things to look for in a quality baby food
1. Protein, fats, carbohydrates - basic nutrients
2. Vitamins and minerals
3. Omega-6 linoleic acid and omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid - fatty acids that can’t be formed in the body and must be taken with food.
4. Taurine is an amino acid necessary for brain development. It’s a must in the infant formula
The packaging must indicate the caloric value of the product and also osmolality (the concentration of proteins and salts in the mixture). So that the baby's immature kidneys are not affected, the osmolality value must not exceed 320 mOsm/kg.
What else should (or should not) be there?
1. Omega-3 (DHA) and Omega-6 (ARA) - polyunsaturated fatty acids for brain development and intelligence.
2. Prebiotics - for the growth of beneficial intestinal microflora. These should be GOS (galactooligosaccharides found in breast milk).
3. Nucleotides - for the formation of the immune system and the gastrointestinal tract.
4. Probiotics - to improve intestinal microflora.
5. Lutein - for the protection of the retina and the development of the visual organ.
6. Milk fat - essential for brain formation and as a source of energy for child growth.
7. No palm or rapeseed oil, added sugars, soy products. It’s worth noting that some products such as Holle Stage 2 or Holle Stage 4 do include organic vegetable oils in their composition.
Conclusion
When selecting a formula for your newborn, remember that you should first of all be guided by the recommendations of your pediatrician. When choosing a suitable product on your own, focus on its composition and the manufacturer you trust.
0 comments:
Post a Comment