Young children often suffer from various allergic reactions. In this case, experts recommend introducing hypoallergenic mixtures into the diet, or, as they are often called, hydrolysates. As a rule, they are dairy-free and contain a protein hydrolyzate.
Today you can find many options for such baby food. Hydrolysates are mixtures for children with intolerance to various foods and irritants. However, a wide selection of manufacturers makes it very difficult for young parents to navigate a wide variety of products. In order to navigate how to choose the right mixture for the baby, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the varieties of such nutrition and its features.
Mixtures of hydrolysates for children with allergies
After the birth of a child, parents have not only pleasant chores, but also numerous difficulties, which not everyone is ready for. The hardest part is in the first year of a child's life. It is also worth noting that due to the unfavorable environmental situation and many other factors, young mothers can not always provide babies with full breastfeeding.
If the child begins an allergic reaction, many mothers do not understand what to do in such a situation. However, do not despair ahead of time. Thanks to modern technologies and the achievements of scientists, today it is possible to organize proper nutrition of a child without problems even in the presence of various health problems in babies or their mothers.
For example, according to statistics, 3% of newborns have an allergy specifically to milk protein, which is found in a natural product (breast milk). If we talk about cow's milk, then there are more than 20 types of proteins that can cause an unpleasant reaction.
The most dangerous are whey proteins and casein. If the baby is allergic specifically to dairy components, then in this case standard mixtures for feeding are not suitable. The fact is that the child may manifest unpleasant skin irritations, problems with stool. Some have severe food allergies. This can even lead to pulmonary edema, due to which the child will suffer from suffocation.
It is in such situations that experts recommend whey hydrolyzate mixtures that contain breakdown protein. With the help of such mixtures, mother's natural milk is completely replaced. It is also suitable if a woman is unable to breastfeed.
Hydrolyzate mixtures contain all the necessary components, vitamins, and trace elements that are needed by a growing and developing body. In addition, some doctors prescribe such a diet and for no apparent reason (just as a prevention of allergic reactions). This is necessary if the child is at risk and may well begin to suffer from allergic reactions in the future.
Doctors can also recommend hydrolyzate mixtures if your child has gluten intolerance. In addition, this type of food is optimal for a variety of food allergies. However, it is still worth consulting with a specialist first.
It is best to switch to full and partial hydrolyzate mixtures if swelling of the face appears, breathing is difficult and urticaria appears. Also, such nutrition is necessary when the baby shows signs of a malfunction of the pancreas.
However, it is worth noting that, these mixtures are not much to the taste of the kids. The fact is that they are not very pleasant in taste and even a little bit bitter. However, to reduce the unpleasant taste, some mothers dilute the mixture with pure water a little more than indicated in the instructions for use. Thanks to this, the child with great desire agrees to such a meal.
What are hypoallergenic mixtures?
Of course, every mother wants to breastfeed her baby, but for some reason this does not always work. In this case, artificial baby food becomes the optimal replacement for breast milk. However, an allergic reaction may also appear in the baby.
As a rule, in hydrolyzed mixtures there are no milk proteins of natural origin or in their original form. Such formulations are specially formulated for children suffering from irritations and allergic reactions. Once in the body of a child, the liquid is not able to provoke a negative effect. Hydrolysates are widely used if the child is undergoing treatment or is in remission of a disease.
Varieties of nutrition
There are several types of hydrolyzate mixtures. First of all, doctors prefer dairy-free mixtures for newborns. They are suitable for those children who cannot consume cow's milk. Also on sale are mixtures that contain soy protein. They are recommended to be purchased if the baby has lactose intolerance. Also, soy mixtures cope well with diarrhea, infectious intestinal pathologies and many other ailments.
There are also gluten-free milk formulas. They are necessary for those kids who suffer from intolerance to cereal crops.
Mixtures of any of these types may be in powder form. It is enough to cook more servings. In addition, it has a longer shelf life. To prepare the mixture, it is enough to dilute the powder with water in the required proportion. You can also purchase liquid concentrated formulations. They must be diluted with water in a proportion of one to one. However, the shelf life of such liquids is very limited.
The most expensive, but most useful is considered ready-made meals. It only needs to be warmed up. Of its shortcomings, it is worth highlighting a too short shelf life.
In addition, therapeutic mixtures are allocated into a separate category. This type of nutrition is necessary if the baby is already really diagnosed with food allergies or any other types of disorders. This food includes cow's milk, which has passed a high degree of hydrolyzate (protein breakdown). In addition, therapeutic mixtures for babies contain all the necessary vitamins, minerals and trace elements. As a rule, such food is prescribed for food allergies, problems with the digestion or absorption of food, pancreatic insufficiency, malnutrition.
If we note the types of therapeutic mixtures, then doctors and mothers prefer serum mixtures. They contain a large number of peptides that are formed during the process of splitting the proteins contained in standard milk.
How to choose a mixture based on hydrolyzate?
If the parents noted in the crumbs the manifestation of the first signs of an allergy or this pathology was diagnosed by specialists, then first of all it is worth developing a course of treatment with a doctor. He may be better off picking the right variety with split proteins. Also, the doctor can recommend a specific dosage and proportions of dilution of the nutrient mixture.
Today, you can buy artificial baby food in ordinary grocery supermarkets, as well as in pharmacies or online stores. When purchasing mixtures based on protein hydrolyzate, it is necessary to pay attention to several important nuances:
- On the packaging of hydrolyzed mixtures, it is usually written “GA” or “ON”.
- It is worth familiarizing yourself with the composition of baby food. It should not include rapeseed, palm or coconut oil.
- It is imperative to pay attention to the date of manufacture and the shelf life of the finished mixture, even if it is bought dry.
- Any new food should be introduced gradually into the child’s diet. At the same time, you need to observe how his body reacts to new food. To do this, it is best to keep a so-called food diary and note there all the nuances that relate to feeding the baby. It is worth paying attention to what kind of nutrition the child has less allergic reactions, and conduct independent comparative analysis.
- Do not change the mixture often. You need to understand that the body is gradually adapting to each new food product. If you constantly bring updated food, then this will negatively affect the health of the baby.
- It is important to select mixtures based on the hydrolyzate, based on the age category of the child. As a rule, all necessary information is always indicated on the packaging. For example, children under the age of six months are better off buying food marked “1”. Older babies already need food with the “2” sign. After a year, you need to come to food marked "3".
- At the time of the purchase of such food, you should not be guided only by price. First of all, you need to evaluate the composition. Some elite mixtures are no different from simpler ones. They contain the same components. Also, for a lot of money, you can easily stumble upon food containing undesirable components.
It is also worth looking at the list of hydrolyzate mixtures of the most popular brands of baby food, which are hypoallergenic. They are most popular with young mothers, according to their reviews. They are also recommended by experts.
"NAS"
This manufacturer is familiar to everyone. It is one of the largest to date. Such mixtures of complete protein hydrolyzate are prophylactic. However, they are also used in the development of mild degrees of allergic reactions.
Packaging such dry food will cost parents 400-500 rubles. The composition of this hypoallergenic mixture includes split milk protein, lactose, fats, acids and bifidobacteria, as well as other useful components. The manufacturer offers several varieties of formulations for babies from the first days of life and older.
If we talk about the benefits that young mothers note in their reviews, they pay great attention to the fact that food is fast soluble, and the taste is not very bitter, so children do not refuse such food. In addition, the packaging of instant food is equipped with a special measuring spoon, making it very easy to calculate the flow rate of the mixture.
If we talk about the shortcomings of this infant hydrolyzate mixture, some drew attention to the fact that babies may develop constipation or green diarrhea. However, experts argue that such manifestations with the introduction of a new diet are considered normal.
Nutrilon
This is another popular baby food manufacturer that boasts quality products. This type of dry food is very similar to natural breast milk. Therefore, Nutrilon milk-hydrolyzates are often used for preventive measures of various diseases.
Standard food packaging will cost about 700 rubles. The composition of the mixture also includes milk proteins that have undergone cleavage, prebiotics, vitamins and other useful components. However, in addition to this, a small inclusion of palm oil is also present in the composition.
Nutrilon manufactures products for children just born, as well as for babies from six months. If we talk about the benefits, then many mothers noted that this food helps to improve the state of immunity, and thanks to the fatty acids that make up the mixture, the central nervous system develops fully. However, they also note the high cost of such food.
Similak
This Spanish manufacturer has also established itself in the domestic market. According to the reviews of young mothers, Similak baby hydrolyzate mixtures really have numerous advantages. However, some note that not all babies like this food.
In the "Similak hypoallergenic" you can find a partial protein hydrolyzate, lactose minerals, vitamins and much more, including prebiotics. If we talk about the benefits, many note a decrease in the risk of flatulence. The mixture also has a positive effect on the intestinal microflora, in the event that the child has been treated with medications. But in some children, on the contrary, there is an intestinal upset. It costs about 650 rubles to pack such food.
“Unworthy”
Mixtures of protein hydrolyzate from the well-known company called "Nestle" differ in composition, which is as close as possible to natural mother’s milk. Many netizens in their reviews note that this mixture is distinguished by its excellent composition and quite affordable price. One pack of dry food can cost about 300 rubles. Given the status of the manufacturer, this is not the highest cost.
The composition of this food contains a standard protein hydrolyzate, prebiotics, as well as a standard set of vitamins and minerals. The mixture has a pleasant smell and sweet taste. Mixtures of protein hydrolyzate are quickly divorced and are distinguished by an abundance of useful components, which are sufficient for the proper development of the crumb body.
However, some also say that this food did not fit their babies, as it provoked constipation and pain in the stomach.
Nutrilak
Considering mixtures of hydrolysates and a complete list of the most popular brands, you can not ignore this manufacturer. It is immediately worth noting that these products have the most mixed reviews. Many mothers say that such mixtures are too bitter and are perceived by babies much more negatively than any other analogues. Some even categorically refuse to eat them.
Nevertheless, the Nutrilak package costs about 300 rubles. The mixture has a reduced glucose content. It contains whey proteins that have undergone partial cleavage, fatty acids and other beneficial substances.
The rich composition also suggests that this food has a beneficial effect on the baby's body, but not every child will be ready for such a treat.
"Baby"
In the ranking of the most popular formulations, this food also has a large number of conflicting reviews. While some children calmly accept the new mixture, others observe its complete rejection.
Nevertheless, many doctors speak positively about these mixtures. They have enough useful trace elements that positively affect the growth of the baby and the formation of its organs and systems. In addition, such mixtures have a pleasant taste, as many young mothers note. The cost of packaging is also about 450 rubles.
How to feed your baby hypoallergenic mixtures?
First of all, it is worth noting that it is necessary to introduce such nutrition, no matter how useful it is, gradually. Usually the baby gets used to new food in 3-5 days. At this time, he may have flatulence and other problems. In addition, many mothers complain that children completely refuse such mixtures because of their bitter taste. To level the situation a bit, doctors recommend immediately after a few spoons of new nutrition to offer the baby the familiar mixture. Then the addiction will go away with the least stress.
Do not panic very much if the child starts a green stool. This is possible within a month after switching to hypoallergenic mixtures. After a maximum of 30 days, the stool normalizes.
The effectiveness of mixtures of this type can be judged only a few weeks after the start of administration. Therefore, you should not immediately refuse the selected food if it was not to the taste of the baby or he has green stools.
If we talk about the duration of the use of such mixtures, much depends on the severity of the allergic reaction to natural protein in the baby. Sometimes specialized nutrition can be used up to six months. In other situations, just a few months is enough. More precisely, you can find out only from the doctor who is involved in the observation of the baby and knows about all the features of his health, growth and other factors.
Many note the rather high cost of such mixtures. However, you need to understand that specialized nutrition will always be more expensive than usual. Therefore, you will have to abandon the savings in favor of the baby’s health.
Instead of a conclusion
If the baby is allergic to certain products, then this does not mean that throughout his life he will have to fear food irritants.As a child grows up, the functions of his body are strengthened, the work of the immune system is being established. In the first months of life, its organs are still being formed. Therefore, it is so important to monitor the nutrition of the baby at the most tender age. If you do not do this and ignore the problems, allergies can take a chronic form. Therefore, do not risk it. It is best to consult with a specialist and decide which hydrolyzate mixtures are best for a particular baby.