infant formulas
Many mothers choose not to breastfeed, or are unable to breastfeed their
infants for many different reasons. Infant formulas are designed to
meet the nutritional needs of these infants for the first year of life.
Babies and children requiring tube feedings may also require formula for
their sole nutrition. The following information regarding infant
formulas will apply to babies requiring tube feeds as well. Older
children (1-10) will require a follow-up formula, or one specifically
designed for their age group.
There are several categories of infant formulas for meeting different needs
of formula fed infants. The main categories are standard-milk based,
soy based, and hypoallergenic. Follow up formulas are available for older
infants and toddlers consuming solid food. Nutrient rich formulas for premature babies and formulas
for metabolic problems are also available but they are less common.
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STANDARD MILK BASED formulas are made from cow's
milk. Because cow's milk was not designed for people, it needs some
adjustments before being suitable for infants. The amount of some of
the milk's nutrients is adjusted, the protein
is changed making it more easily digestible, the butterfat is decreased or
removed and vegetable fats are added providing more essential fatty acids.
Extra nutrients are added, such as vitamin c, iron and zinc. These
are the most common formulas and are adequate for most babies. These
formulas contain twenty calories per ounce. Cow's milk contains
thirty two different proteins with high allergic potency, causing many
infants to have allergies, or sensitivities to cow's milk formula.
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SOY BASED formulas are useful for babies with
cow's milk allergies or
sensitivities. Greater amounts of vitamins and minerals are added to
soy formulas because soy formulas contain compounds that may decrease
the amount of nutrients absorbed. Soy formulas also contain twenty
calories per ounce.
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HYPOALLERGENIC formulas are designed for babies with digestive
problems, allergies and/or sensitivities to both milk and soy.
They contain twenty calories per ounce as well. The idea behind this
class of infant formula is to break down the protein (from whatever the
source) into small enough units (process is called hydrolysis*) that the
body's immune system does not recognize it as a foreign body and defend
against it, causing the unwelcome symptoms that accompany such reactions. Because
the proteins in these formulas have been broken down, they are easier to
digest and move through the digestive system faster than the standard
formulas.
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FOLLOW UP or FOLLOW ON formulas are
designed for older babies and toddlers. Generally iron-fortified
and cow milk based or soy protein based these formulas typically have
higher levels of calcium and phosphorus than those for younger infants.
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NUTRIENT RICH formulas for premature babies are
made for low birth weight babies to help them grow quickly. These
formulas are all milk based and range in calories from twenty to
twenty-four per ounce. They have more nutrients than standard
formulas.
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METABOLIC infant formulas are for infants with
disorders of amino acid metabolism. These have a selected balance of
amino acids. Each of these formulas are created without the primary
offending amino acid(s) for the specific disorder they are intended.
Written by RMacLean, Author
January, 2005 Reviewed By Dave Olson, MD
Fellow, American Academy of Pediatrics
Graduate University of Michigan School of Medicine
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