Every woman can breastfeed a child. However, unforeseen circumstances often happen in life when the state of health does not allow this. Some, according to their personal convictions, do not want to feed the baby with breast milk. In this case, milk formulas come to the rescue. But if earlier parents had no special choice, now even experienced mothers are sometimes lost. After all, all mixtures differ not only in price, but also in composition, properties and indications. When choosing, you should always get the advice of a pediatrician, consider the age of the baby and his individual developmental characteristics. Do not be very upset if you could not establish breastfeeding. Of course, such food is considered the best and natural, but substitutes are also produced quite high quality.
Big variety
All infant formula are developed on the basis of the requirements of the RAMS Institute and comply with the accepted GOST. But the huge variety of multi-colored packaging is very difficult to figure out. Therefore, it is important for parents to know what the markings on the packaging mean, what are the milk formula for the purpose, composition and consistency.
Dry or liquid
On sale you can find dry powder and a mixture in liquid form. Dry products occupy the lion's share of the market and are the most popular among mothers. They are a powder that is packaged in a sealed container and requires preliminary dilution with prepared water.
There are liquid varieties of mixtures. They are fully prepared and require only warming up. In order for the baby to completely drink the offered portion, they are packed in small packets - tetrapacks (usually 200 ml). But on the market, such species are represented in fairly small quantities.
Dry mixes have more advantages. The main one is the long shelf life of open packaging. But at the same time, they require preliminary preparation. When traveling it is more convenient to use the liquid version. Often, mothers prefer to take liquid milk formulas with them for a walk or for a visit. However, it is possible to store the opened packaging only for a couple of hours.
Attention to the composition
Many mixtures for children are made on the basis of milk. At the same time, there are options where a cow is present; for allergy sufferers, a goat is offered. However, animal milk protein is alien to the infant's body. Therefore, in the production of baby food, milk is used in processed form. It is depending on its processing that all mixtures are divided into types.
Adapted
Adapted milk formulations are prepared on the basis of serum of demineralized cow's milk. Such nutrition is as close as possible to breast milk, therefore, it is usually easily absorbed by the body of the baby. This menu is designed for the smallest eaters and can be offered from birth.
In addition to serum, vitamins, minerals, polyunsaturated fats and nucleotides are necessarily present. Due to the fact that the production process has difficulties, the cost of adapted mixtures is quite high. Products belong to the premium class, but the child does not suffer from allergies, indigestion, and is gaining weight well. Milk formulas from birth must necessarily be adapted. The child’s body is not yet perfect, so any experimentation with food can lead to diseases.
The best examples of adapted nutrition
The best premium milk formulas are produced by such famous brands as:
- Nutricia Nutrilon.
- Nestle NAN.
- Semper.
However, such mixtures are based on cow's milk. Unfortunately, now many children suffer from his intolerance. In this case, you can switch to food made from goat milk. The most popular is Babyball Nanny. The brand is advised by many parents and pediatricians.
If we consider liquid nutrition, the Agusha and Nan brands have the best adapted options.
Partially Adapted
For the most part, the composition of such a diet is similar to breast milk. But not only lactose, but also sucrose is indicated as components. In addition, the mineral fat composition is not stabilized. Such milk formulas can be recommended for healthy children who do not have problems with the digestibility of cow protein and do not suffer from dermatitis.
Also on sale are the so-called "subsequent" mixtures. They belong to the lowest price category and are based on whole cow's milk powder. They contain starch and sucrose, so this food is not recommended for children who have problems with weight. There are no whey in such mixtures. The following mixtures are recommended only for children from six months and older. From birth, babies need to choose an adapted option.
Unadapted options
Such food is produced on the basis of casein - cow's milk protein. Further, the composition is almost identical to the adapted samples. However, when choosing, it is necessary to carefully study the components included in the mixture. There is a diet that is not enriched in taurine or fatty acids. This significantly affects the quality of the mixture, and the child does not receive the necessary trace elements. However, this fact does not affect digestibility. All casein-based mixtures are more difficult to digest, so they are recommended to be offered no earlier than 6 months.
Among the most popular non-adapted mixtures, users distinguish the following:
- Milk formula "Baby".
- "Nestle Nestogen."
- "Semper."
- Dairy mix "Bellact".
Pediatricians confirm that as the baby grows and develops, his digestive system is also being improved. Therefore, if from birth it is necessary to offer an adapted version to an infant, then from 6 months, casein samples can be successfully used.
Nutrition depends on age
All infant formula for children are divided into categories, depending on the recommended age. It is not without reason that they indicate it on packages, because at a certain period of time the baby needs a different percentage of vitamins and minerals. As the baby develops, so does its nutritional needs. A similar process is completely natural. In addition, breast milk adapts to the growth of the baby and constantly changes its composition, as proved by specialists in breastfeeding.
To choose the necessary option, you need to pay attention to the number of the formula, which is always indicated, and age marking.
Age gradation of baby food
On each pack with the mixture, the manufacturer must indicate the age range. For this, the relevant standards are adopted:
- "0" (on some packs the prefix "pre") is a mixture for newborns who are underweight or born prematurely;
- "1" - nutrition from birth to six months;
- "2" - infant formula intended from six months to a year;
- "3" - the diet of children older than a year.
The main difference in the milk component and the percentage of trace elements. As the baby grows in the mixture, the amount of non-adapted protein increases, and the vitamin-mineral formula also changes. In addition, for children from one year old, food is made more nutritious and satisfying.
Therapeutic option
Baby formula can not only saturate the baby, but also solve certain problems. If the baby has health problems or digestive characteristics, then increased demands are made on nutrition. Special treatment mixtures will come to the rescue. The entire line is divided into types, depending on the problem that it solves.
Sour-milk nutrition
Dry milk mixture may be based on sour milk bacteria. It is prescribed if the baby has problems with the digestive system, in the treatment of dysbiosis and frequent constipation. Also the indication is medication. Bifidobacteria and lactic acid microorganisms predominate in the composition of such a mixture.
Often with regurgitation, colic and diarrhea, the doctor may recommend antireflux nutrition. Starch and gum are used here, but they act as thickeners. The most typical representatives of such mixtures are brands:
- "Nutrilak AR".
- "Nutrilon AR".
- "Enfamil AR".
With constipation, lactulose is very helpful, with which some dry powders are enriched. If there is such a problem, then the following options may be recommended:
- "Semper Bifidus.
- "Detolact Bifidus".
As an addition, you can offer a healthy baby the usual sour milk mixture. According to experts and parents, the most attractive options are Nutrilak, Nan, and Nutrilon.
Mixtures against anemia
Sometimes mothers are interested in what kind of milk mixture is necessary for the prevention of iron deficiency anemia. In case of indications, the pediatrician may recommend a diet with a high iron content. However, such mixtures must be purchased only according to the testimony of a specialist, otherwise an excess of mineral may provoke other problems.
An indication for taking such nutrition is a low level of hemoglobin in the baby's blood. It is worth considering that all such mixtures available on the Russian market are not medicinal, just iron prevails in their composition. Therefore, treatment will require the use of special drugs.
The most famous brands are:
- "Similak Premium".
- Enfamil Premium.
Baby food for allergy sufferers
Kids sometimes experience problems with rashes. Such children are shown hypoallergenic mixtures in which the formula of the cow protein is modified.
Often, kids react specifically to casein, it is a common allergen. For the production of a therapeutic mixture, animal protein is hydrolyzed. This means that it was partially digested with special enzymes, therefore, digestion is significantly accelerated and the effect on the body is reduced. To navigate the store and quickly find a similar mixture, you should pay attention to the marking “On”, which hypoallergenic samples are labeled - “Nan” or “Nutrilon”.
Lactose-Free Mixtures
When a baby has complete indigestion of cow protein, even a hypoallergenic mixture will not save. In that case, the doctor prescribes lactose-free baby food. Such powders are produced on the basis of soy and supplemented with all necessary components. The most famous are the following types:
- Nan is lactose-free.
- "Nutrilon Soy."
- "Similac Isomil."
Mix Tips
It is best to choose a mixture with a pediatrician. Only a doctor can recommend nutrition based on the health status of the baby, and the mother knows the developmental features of her child. However, there are basic principles that should be followed in any case:
- In composition, adapted variants are most closely related to breast milk. Therefore, for newborns and debilitated children, this option is considered more preferable.
- It is worth adhering to age limits. Switching to another level is necessary no earlier than the recommended age.
- For health problems and pathologies of the digestive system, a treatment line is required. The doctor may recommend not to use it constantly, but to use it only a couple of times a day.
- Advertising, of course, is the engine of trade, but blindly following its advice is not worth it. It is necessary to carefully study the composition of the mixture that was attracted and give preference to the option without palm or rapeseed oil.
- A bundle with a shelf life may be in the store. It is better to abstain from such a mixture.
- Specialists in baby food are advised to purchase it in pharmacies or large retail chains. In such institutions, more product quality control takes place.
- Even if the mixture is chosen together at the doctor's office, you must carefully monitor the baby's reaction.
Parent reviews and expert opinion
So different is the milk mixture. Parents' feedback and a rigorously studied composition help other buyers make their choice. Most mothers are concerned about the safety and digestibility of baby food. Consider the most popular samples.
- Products from Nestle - Nestogen, Nan. It is recognized as completely safe and, according to reviews, is well absorbed by kids.
- HIPP. According to its performance, the mixture is safe to eat. But in reviews, parents often complain about poor digestibility. This is due to the presence of starch in the composition.
- Domestic samples - milk mixture "Baby" and "Baby". Our grandmothers have heard about this baby food. But over time, it only improved. All safety indicators are normal and, despite the rather budget price, milk is well absorbed by infants.
- FRISCO. Examination of this baby food revealed violations in sanitary standards and excess of pathogenic microorganisms. Judging by the reviews, children often poorly absorb this product and have digestive problems.
- Semper. All indicators are normal, but judging by the reviews, nutrition is poorly absorbed. Most likely, the matter is the presence of starch.
- Nutrilon. Products from Nutricia have good reviews from parents. Children absorb the mixture and feel good. The food is completely safe.
- Humana. Not too common mixture. Safety indicators are normal, but digestibility is poor.
Conclusion
Sometimes finding the right mix is not easy. Often parents change several varieties until they find the most suitable one. If the child is healthy, then such problems may not arise. However, even in this case, it is useful to know some signs that indicate the wrong choice:
- the baby's cheeks turn red after feeding;
- in the feces there are white blotches, which indicates the indigestion of the mixture completely;
- the child does not maintain the recommended interval between feedings, often cries;
- weak night sleep;
- poor weight gain or excess.
Only a correctly selected mixture guarantees the baby's health and its full development. However, breastfeeding experts urge mothers to establish breastfeeding and only in case of emergency switch to artificial nutrition. In addition to the inconvenience in choosing a mixture - this is also a tangible cost. After all, food for the newborn goes through a complex and multi-stage production process.