Milk formulas for artificial nutrition of infants. Artificial feeding and errors Adverse effects of feeding children unadapted formulas

Adapted milk formulas

All adapted milk formulas are divided into three categories according to the degree of approximation of their composition to breast milk:

highly adapted (“NAN”, “Pre-NAN”, “Nutrilon”, “Hipp-1”, “SMA”, “Bona”, Piltti, etc.,

less adapted (“Similac”, “Impressa”, “Hipp-2”, “Enfamil”, etc.)

and partially adapted (“Malyuta-ka”, “Baby”, “Detolakt”, “Sun”, “Milazan”, “Vitalakt”, “Ladunka”, etc..).

In addition, mixtures are divided into simple sweet ones ("B-rice", "B-buckwheat", "B-oats") and lactic acid ("B-kefir", B-acidophilus mixture, kefir, acidophilus milk, etc.). . Unadapted milk formulas based on whole or diluted cow's milk do not provide adequate nutrition for children. has a high content of proteins (3 times more) and minerals (2.8 times more) than in human milk, and has high osmolarity. Therefore, there is a large load on the immature kidneys, causing metabolic stress, promoting growth and excessive fat accumulation.

Unadapted mixtures cause significant deviations in the body of children: decrease in the energy potential of cells and the level of protein synthesis, lipid disorders, anemia and immunity disorders. Lactic acid mixtures ensure the growth of bifid flora (Nan fermented milk, "AGU-1", "AGU-2" fermented milk).

There are also medicinal mixtures

Therapeutic mixtures for premature babies: “Pre NAN”, “Prenutrilon”, “Frisopre”, “Enfalak”, “neonatal”, “Enfalak Premature”, etc. Lactose-free mixtures include “Nutri-soy”, “Al-110” , “Tutteli-soy”, “Bona-soy”, “isomil-semilak”, “about myself”, “Alsoy”, etc.

Low-lactose mixtures: low-lactose “Nutrilon”, low-lactose “Humana” and “Portagen”.

For the treatment of children with cystic fibrosis and diarrhea, the mixtures “Robolact”, “Alfa Re”, “Pepti Junior”, “Pregestemil” and others are used.

For symptoms of regurgitation, use the anti-reflux mixture “Enfamil”, “Nutrilon Omneo”, “Frisov”. For children 2-3 years of age, the En-Family Junior mixture is intended.

The average protein requirement of a child during natural feeding before the introduction of complementary foods is 2-2.5 g per kg of body weight per day, after the introduction of complementary foods it increases to 3-3.5 g. With mixed and artificial feeding, the need for proteins is 2.5 - 3.5 g per kg of body weight when using a highly adapted mixture and 3.5-4.5 g per kg of body weight when using non-adapted mixtures. The amount of fat in the first quarter of the year is 6.5 g per kg of body weight, in the second - 6.0 g, in the third - 5.5 g, in the fourth - 5.0 g per kg of body weight. The need for carbohydrates in children of the first year of life is 12-14 g per kg of body weight.

The required amount of energy per kg of body weight depends on the quarter of the year: in the first quarter the child needs 120 kcal, in the second - 115, in the third - 110, in the fourth - 100. Feeding a child with non-adapted formulas requires an increase in the energy value of food by 5-10%.

For newborns and infants it is mother's milk. But if there is a lack of breast milk, its absence, or medical contraindications to breastfeeding, it becomes necessary to transfer the baby to mixed or artificial feeding.

The range of dry adapted formulas for feeding children of the first year of life on the Ukrainian market today includes more than 40 items. These are mainly imported mixtures. The three baby food factories in Ukraine cannot yet provide the required variety and quantity of adapted infant formulas. The choice of a specific formula for a child should be based, first of all, on an assessment of the baby’s condition and the characteristics of its development. Unfortunately, the financial condition of the parents still plays an important role in the purchase of formulas: highly adapted imported formulas cost from 20 to 60 hryvnia per package (for approximately 10-20 days), and domestic “Baby” costs 5-7 hryvnia. And although many argue that you cannot save on children’s nutrition, this factor should be taken into account when selecting a formula for a baby, since it is necessary to take for a long time the exact formula that suits the baby.

Rules for choosing a mixture:

consult with a pediatrician;

if the baby received in the maternity hospital mixture and feels good, be sure to clarify what kind of mixture he received and continue feeding with this mixture;

consider age child;

choose highly adapted formulas for children in the first half of life and less adapted formulas for children in the second half of life;

evaluate individual tolerance formula by a baby - if there are signs of intolerance (diathesis, abdominal pain, regurgitation, etc.), consult a pediatrician and change the formula. But you can’t “jump” from one mixture to another every 1-2 days. Adaptation to a new type of diet occurs within 3-5 days.

should be carefully studied information on the label: composition of the mixture, quantity of all ingredients, calorie content data;

there should be in the mixture taurine(free amino acid containing sulfur). Taurine is involved in the formation of brain tissue, retina, digestion and absorption of fats, the formation of the body's protective functions in the first months of a newborn's life;

desirable presence in the mixture carnitine. Carnitine is an active biochemical vitamin-like compound that is involved in the metabolism of fats, proteins, vitamins and energy inside the cell;

you need to check whether the mixture contains linoleic acid ( an essential fatty acid necessary for the proper formation of the child’s brain and retina);

in a mixture based on cow's milk should be milk serum. It is introduced instead of cow's milk casein, which ensures that the amino acid composition of the mixture is closer to the amino acid composition of human milk. Thanks to the presence of whey, a more delicate and easier to digest food clot is formed in the baby’s stomach;

check best before date mixtures;

If the mixture suits the baby, you must be sure that you will be able to you can easily purchase this particular mixture or purchase several packages at once, taking into account the shelf life;

as the baby grows older switch to a mixture from the same manufacturer for children in the second half of life.

Division of adapted formulas according to the degree of approximation of their composition to breast milk:

Highly adapted. These mixtures contain whey and, similar to breast milk, a number of biologically active substances (taurine, choline, lecithin, inositol), which play an important role in the formation of the baby’s body. Used for children from the neonatal period. Number 0 and prefix pre- indicate that the formulas are intended for feeding premature and newborn babies, and the number 1 - from birth to 4-5-6 months.

These include:

• "Nutrilon"
• “Neonatal” (Holland),
• “Nan”, “Alfare” and “Alprem” (Switzerland),
• “Prehipp” and “Hipp-1” (Austria),
• “Puleva-1” (USA),
• Tutelli (“Valio”),
• “Enfamil-1” (Holland/USA),
• “Pre-Heinz” (USA),
• “SMA” (USA),
• “Bona” (Finland),
• “Pikomil” (Slovenia),
• “Samper Baby” (Samper Foods and Co., Sweden),
• “Heinz” (England),
• “Humana” (Germany).

1. Less adapted mixtures. This subgroup includes mixtures (or formulas, as they are also called) containing cow’s milk protein - casein:

   • “Similac”, “Similac with iron” (USA),
   • “Impress” (Germany),
   • “Enfamil”, “Enfamil with iron”, “Enfamil-2” (Holland/USA),
   • "Nutrilon-2".

   Unlike the first type of formula, used from birth to 4-5 months, the second group is recommended for children from 5-6 months of age. Number 2 The name of the mixture suggests that they are intended for babies in the second half of life.

2. Partially adapted mixtures. These products no longer contain biologically active additives such as taurine, choline, and a number of fatty acids. This group of mixtures includes:

   • "Baby"
   • “Baby” (Ukraine, Russia),
   • “Detolakt”, “Solnyshko”, “Vitalakt-DM”, “Vitalakt enriched”, “Vitalakt-M” (Ukraine),
   • “Milumil” (Germany),
   • “Milazan” (Germany).

1. Lactose-free and low-lactose mixtures for children with reduced activity of the lactase enzyme in the intestines, lactose intolerance, a tendency to diarrhea (diarrhea syndrome), acute intestinal infections:

   • Al 110
   • Nutrilon low lactose
   • Similac-isomil
   • Similak Aldolak

2. Adapted dairy-free mixtures, containing soy protein and intended for children with intolerance to cow's milk protein, lactose, and galactosemia:

   • Alsooy
   • Bona Soya
   • Nutri-Soya
   • Peptidi Soy
   • Soya-Samp
   • Tutelli soy
   • Heinz soy mixture
   • Humana LP (therapeutic nutrition) SL
   • Humana-Soya
   • Enfamil Soy

3. Adapted mixtures for whey protein hydrolyzate base for children with severe forms of allergy to cow's milk protein and lactose, with extreme prematurity, cystic fibrosis, impaired intestinal absorption (malabsorption syndrome), in the pre- and postoperative period:

   • Alfare
   • Pepti-Junior
   • Portagen (MilJohnson, USA)
   • Puleva 1 (USA)
   • Humana GA (hypoallergenic) 1 – from newborns
   • Humana GA 2 – from 5 months of life
   • Hipp GA (hypoallergenic) 1 - from birth
   • Hipp GA (hypoallergenic) 2 - from 4 months

4. Adapted milk formulas, fortified with iron:

   • Detolact
   • Nestogen
   • Nutrilon 2
   • Similac with iron
   • SMA with iron
   • Samper Baby 1, Samper Baby 2 (Semper, Sweden)

5. Adapted formulas for feeding children born prematurely with low mass and insufficient weight gain:

   • Alprem
   • NAS pre
   • Neonatal
   • Hipp pre
   • Humana pre
   • Enfalak (USA)

6. Adapted formulas for feeding children with regurgitation syndrome, vomiting:

   • Nutrilon-AR (anti-reflux)
   • Similak Izovok
   • Samper Lemolak (Semper, Sweden)
   • Frisov (Holland)

7. Adapted formulas for children with intestinal dysbiosis:

   • NAS fermented milk (Nestlé)
   • Bifidus (Semper, Sweden)
   • NAS from 6 months with bifidobacteria (Nestlé)

8. Gluten-free formulas for children with celiac disease:

   • Al-110 (Nestlé)
   • Soya-Samp
   • Hipp 1
   • Humana HN
   • Humana HN with MCT (medium chain triglyceride nutritional therapy)

9. Formulas without phenylalanine for children with phenylketonuria:

   • Milupa
   • Phenyl Free
   • Similac - Lofenolac

The child’s good health, his proper physical and mental development will be the criterion that you have chosen the right formula for your baby. When artificially feeding children with highly adapted formulas, it should be taken into account that they contain vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D. Therefore, the prevention of rickets is not carried out for such children. All questions and problems regarding children's nutrition should be resolved with a pediatrician, pediatric gastroenterologist and pediatric nutritionist. You need to purchase formulas in specialized departments of supermarkets, pharmacies or baby food stores.

The best thing every mother can give to her newborn baby is breast milk. There are situations when the mother does not have such an opportunity (prematurity of the baby, lack of breast milk, lack of breast milk, or a contraindication for the mother to breastfeeding).

Just a few decades ago this was a huge problem. Today, the main problem for every mother whose child is mixed or completely bottle-fed is to choose the best and highest quality formula for the baby.

Before ranking the best formulas for newborns, it’s worth saying in advance: all babies are different. Therefore, what comes first for one person will come last for another. This, moreover, the rating is based on indicators of healthy children and infants with personal characteristics (allergies, regurgitation) are not taken into account here.

1. Friso. The mixture, which has helped many mothers avoid problems with low weight and tummy problems in babies, will completely get rid of problems. The best mixture based on the results of 2016.

Price: from 350 rubles per 400 grams; from 780 rubles per 800 grams.

1. It has several types (series), thanks to which every mother will be able to choose the right one for her child in terms of composition and beneficial properties.
2. Approved by Russian pediatricians and widely used in maternity hospitals, rehabilitation centers, neonatal intensive care units, as well as when caring for low birth weight and premature babies.
3. The antireflux series helps babies cope with frequent regurgitation. Fights the very reason. Allows you to improve the baby's digestion and stool.
4. The mixtures dissolve easily in water without forming lumps.
5. There is a special series for children with allergies to cow protein, as well as for children with allergies.
6. The only drawback is the absence of a dry mixture of bifidobacteria in the classic series (Frisolak).

2. Nutrilon. Dry adapted milk formula intended for feeding children from the first days of life to three years. The main advantage of the mixture is its availability. It can be easily found even in a regular grocery hypermarket.

Price: from 390 rubles per 400 grams; from 860 for 800 grams.

• The mixture is available in several types: milk and fermented milk.
• It has several series, including: allergenic, with amino acids (for children with severe food allergies), fermented milk (for babies with sensitive digestion), Pepti Gastro (for babies with impaired intestinal absorption and food intolerance), Pre (for premature and low birth weight babies whose weight is less than 1800 grams).
• The mixture is very convenient to prepare.
• According to the manufacturers, it helps the baby cope with colic, however, in reality this turns out to be no more than a marketing ploy.
• The mixture is of high quality, but the presence of palm and coconut oil negates all the advantages of the mixture.

Nan (NAN). The mixture comes in the form of dry powders for preparation and ready-made liquid. In addition to infant formula, it produces breast milk fortifiers (allowing mothers with low fat content and low nutritional value of breast milk to increase its quality and nutritional value - enrich it with vitamins).

Price: from 135 rubles per 200 grams of ready-made mixture; from 430 rubles per 400 grams; from 890 rubles per 800 grams; from 2320 rubles for 70 sachets of breast milk fortifier.

1. The mixture is good, durable and convenient packaging. Comes with everything you need for cooking (measuring spoon).
2. The mixture has passed the test of quality over time - even in post-Soviet times, pediatricians advised mothers to use such mixtures, but they could only be brought from Germany.
3. Manufacturers claim that the mixture contains all the necessary vitamin and mineral complexes for the full development of babies. In fact, there are small errors in the amount of vitamin content in 100 grams of the mixture.
4. The disadvantages include the unreasonably high price, foam when preparing the product and a small error in the measuring spoon.
5. Just like many mixtures, it has several series, but there are several times fewer of them than the previous ones.

3. Similak. The mixture is one of the three best mixtures at the end of 2016. The only drawback of this mixture is that it may not be suitable for a child. However, those children for whom the mixture is suitable do not have any problems with digestion or lack of vitamins.

Price: from 270 rubles per 400 grams; from 940 rubles per 900 grams.

1. The mixture has several series: Isomil (lactose-free milk formula, for babies with allergies to cow protein), Comfort (for children with colic and constipation problems), hypoallergenic (for babies prone to allergies), Antireflux, Low-lactose, NeoShur (for premature and low birth weight babies) children), Premium (classic).
2. A huge advantage of this mixture (which manufacturers indicate on the front side of the packaging) is that the mixture is without palm oil.
3. Recommended by experts and widely used in Russian children's hospitals and neonatal intensive care units.

4. Nenny. One of the best goat milk formulas. The mixture is much better than usual. It is considered a highly adapted mixture among pediatricians and neonatologists.

Price: from 1250 per 400 grams; from 2300 for 800 grams.

• Goat's milk is much healthier, which means a mixture based on it is too.
• Goat's milk does not cause allergies in children. The mixture is completely hypoallergenic and suitable for all children.
• The mixture is highly nutritious.
• The only downside is the price and the fact that the formula is only suitable for healthy children.

It is worth noting that the second place was shared by two brands at once - this is due to the fact that one of the mixtures is made with goat milk.

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Every mother, to the best of her ability and ability, strives to give her beloved baby only the best. Choosing infant formula for artificial or mixed feeding is not an easy and responsible task, because the health of the child depends on how correctly it is done. It would not be a bad idea to seek advice from a pediatrician, because only he knows about all the features of your child’s development and, using the knowledge he has, will give a recommendation. But it happens that the doctor recommended infant formula, but the child stubbornly refuses it, is capricious and waits for the next appointment with the pediatrician, there is simply no time. I have to urgently run to the store and buy other baby food. Therefore, we will still try to figure out which formula is the best for feeding a child.

Types of infant formula

Mixtures, depending on the degree of readiness for use, are divided into dry and liquid varieties.

1. Dry mixes. These are powders packaged in cardboard boxes or metal cans, which are diluted with warm boiled water before use. They are distinguished by great variety and have a long shelf life.
2. Liquid mixtures (ready-made). Such mixtures are packaged in tetra packs of different volumes and immediately before use they only require. Using a liquid mixture, you will never make a mistake with the dosage of the powder and you can rest assured of the quality of the water in its composition. Their shelf life is short and is only a couple of days.

Depending on the health status of the baby, all formulas are divided into mixtures for healthy children and specialized formulas. Depending on the degree of readiness for use, they can be either dry or liquid.

Important! Dry mixtures have an undeniable advantage over liquid mixtures, as they have a long shelf life and do not require special storage conditions.

Characteristics of formulas for healthy children

They are produced on the basis of cow's, goat's milk (or their components) and, depending on their proximity to the composition of human breast milk, are classified into several types.

1. Adapted, including highly adapted. In such mixtures, it is not whole milk that is used, but whey proteins (with a full set of essential and essential amino acids), remaining after casein is removed from milk in various ways. The use of whey allows you to reduce the total protein content in the mixture and increase the content of easily digestible proteins. There is virtually no milk fat in cow's milk. Instead, fats of vegetable origin (), fish oil preparations, which contain more polyunsaturated fatty acids, are added. Carbohydrates are mainly represented by lactose, along with which maltodextrin is added to the mixture, which reduces the osmolality (the sum of soluble components per 1 kg of water) of the product. Important components of such mixtures are the addition of vitamins, minerals, nucleotides (responsible for the processes of reproduction, metabolism and growth), prebiotics (stimulate the growth of one’s own beneficial bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in the intestines), probiotics (useful microorganisms), etc. Thanks to this composition, an adapted milk formula It is similar to human breast milk and is best suited for feeding babies up to six months. There are also adapted
2. Partially adapted. They are very close in composition to adapted milk formulas, but there are also differences. Such mixtures have a higher protein content. The carbohydrate composition may contain sucrose along with lactose. The content of microelements, vitamins and other components fully corresponds to the needs of the child’s body in the second half of life, but differs in comparison with formulas for children in the first half of life by a higher content of calcium, iron, and zinc. It should also be noted that partially adapted mixtures are higher in caloric content compared to adapted mixtures.
3. Unadapted. These are products made from milk powder with unchanged composition. Additionally, the same components are introduced into them as for adapted and partially adapted mixtures. The casein contained in such mixtures is poorly absorbed by the child's body, therefore mixtures of this composition are not recommended for feeding children under six months. It is best to introduce them starting at eight months.

Important! Adapted and partially adapted formulas are today the best option for feeding a child in the absence of breastfeeding. If there is a lack of breast milk, mixed feeding is possible by supplementing the baby with formula.

Often on a jar of formula you can find the inscription: “initial” and “subsequent”. In the first case, we mean a mixture intended to feed children from birth to six months, and in the second, from six months to a year. The subsequent mixture can be either adapted or partially adapted, while the initial mixture can only be adapted. There are adapted milk formulas, the packaging of which does not indicate whether they are subsequent or initial, since they are intended for feeding children from birth to one year. The range of such mixtures is small.

To make it easier to understand the composition of the formulas, the formula number of the infant formula is placed on the packaging:

• «0» or the prefix “pre” is indicated in the name - the mixture is created for premature or low birth weight newborns;
• "1"-for children from birth to 6 months;
• "2"-for infants from 6 months to 1 year;
• "3"-for babies over one year old.

All mixtures in which the milk protein has not been exposed to (curdling) special bacteria are classified as fresh. The mixtures in which such a change in protein was present include (“NAN fermented milk” 1 and 2, “Nutrilak fermented milk” and “Nutrilon fermented milk”, as well as liquid adapted fermented milk mixtures “Agusha 1 and 2”). During lactic acid fermentation, a number of important properties are acquired: lactose levels decrease, lactic acid and bactericidal substances accumulate, milk protein partially decomposes, which speeds up the digestion of the product and its absorption, and also slightly reduces the allergenicity of the protein component. Then, after fermentation, probiotics are introduced into the mixture.

List of specialized baby food

These are mixtures intended for therapeutic and preventive nutrition. They include formulas for premature babies and formulas for children with pathologies.

Naturally, it is not advisable to use such mixtures without consulting a pediatrician, since the infant must have very specific indications for their use.

What is the best baby formula?

All mixtures undergo state registration, a mandatory condition for which is compliance in composition and physical and chemical indicators with the requirements of TR CU 033/2013 “On the safety of milk and dairy products” and No. 88FZ of June 12, 2008 “Technical regulations for milk and dairy products.” Despite this, no one has yet managed to create an artificial formula that fully corresponds to breast milk and we can only talk about being close to it to one degree or another.

In this regard, it is very difficult to clearly name the best formula for a newborn, which would suit everyone without exception.

When choosing a formula, you must first of all focus on the health and well-being of the child. Even when it would seem that everything has been taken into account and the choice has been made, any mixture needs to be tested in practice. In the first days of feeding, be sure to monitor the baby’s reaction, because each person’s body is individual and can give an unpredictable reaction.

How to choose a good mixture

1. When choosing the best formula for a child, a mother needs to focus on several general rules.
2. Consult your pediatrician before purchasing.
3. The mixture must be age appropriate.
4. For a newborn, this must be an adapted mixture.
5. Choose a mixture that is always available in a nearby store so that if necessary, you will always be able to purchase it.
6. In the first days of formula feeding, observe your baby's reaction.

Important! Signs indicating a correctly selected formula are that the child eats the formula well and does not have such disorders as loose, poorly digested stool or constipation, vomiting, or allergies. Blood tests show normal, and a monthly examination by a pediatrician records positive weight gain.

Algorithm for selecting a mixture - consultation with Doctor of Medical Sciences V. A. Skvortsova

Rating of formulas for newborns

When compiling the rating of infant formula for a newborn, the degree of proximity of the formula composition to human milk was taken into account. For this purpose, nine brands of mixtures most commonly found in stores were selected (NAN-1 Optipro, Malyutka 1, Nutrilon 1 Premium, Nestogen 1, Malyushka, 1, Similac Premium 1, Friso Frisolak 1, Humana Expert 1) and one quite often recommended by pediatricians (Celia Expert 1), but not available in the store. Infant formulas were evaluated based on their content of essential nutrients (protein, fat, lactose) and osmolality in relation to those in breast milk (reference). These criteria are fundamental when assessing the adaptability of a mixture. Since the quantitative addition of vitamins and minerals is dictated not only by their content in human milk, but also takes into account their bioavailability for the body, the composition of minerals and vitamins was compared with the standard only qualitatively. Accordingly, the manufacturers who made the product closest to the standard were rated as the best.

1 place

Price per 100 g of mixture 130.0 rub.

Pros:

• protein, fat, lactose content are the same as in human milk;
• the ratio of whey proteins to casein is 60/40 (typical for mature;
• osmolality within the range characteristic of breast milk;
• prebiotics;
• nucleotides;
• eicosapentaenoic acid (is a precursor of substances responsible for reducing the level of inflammation in the body and having an anti-allergenic effect).

Minuses:

• no probiotics.

2nd place
Included here were infant formulas, which have a slightly higher protein content and the same lactose content as human milk. The ratio of whey proteins to casein is 60/40 (typical for mature lactation). Osmolality is within the typical range or even lower.

Price per 100 g of mixture is 156.9 rubles.

Pros:

• all necessary minerals and vitamins;
• additionally, essential amino acids for children were introduced (taurine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan);
• copper is present in the form of a complex with lysine, which increases its bioavailability;
• nucleotides;
• prebiotics.

Minuses:

• no probiotics.

Celia Expert 1 (Lactalis Group)

Price per 100 g of mixture 132.0 rub.

Pros:

• the technology for producing whey proteins is different from the traditional one, which avoids denaturation, chemical and enzymatic effects on them, and preserves essential amino acids;
• all necessary minerals and vitamins;
• nucleotides;
• probiotics.

Minuses:

• no prebiotics.

3rd place

Price per 100 g of mixture 112.5 rubles

Pros:

• protein is within the limits characteristic of human milk;
• the ratio of whey proteins to casein is 70/30, which is as close as possible to the similar ratio in human milk 80/20 in the early stages. Therefore, from this point of view, the mixture is especially suitable for newborns;
• no palm oil;
• maintains an optimal ratio of linoleic to α-linolenic acid;
• additionally, essential amino acids for babies were introduced (taurine, phenylalanine, histidine);
• nucleotides;
• probiotics.

Minuses:

• The lactose content is slightly higher than in human milk, which makes the mixture sweeter;
• no prebiotics.

4th place

Price per 100 g of mixture 125.0 rub.

Pros:

• the content of protein, fat, lactose is the same as in human milk;
• all necessary minerals and vitamins;
• additionally, essential amino acids for children (taurine and tryptophan) were introduced;
• lutein;
• nucleotides;
• probiotics;
• prebiotics.

Minuses:

• Despite the many positive aspects of this powdered infant formula, it is not very suitable for newborns due to the 50/50 ratio of whey proteins to casein, which is far from that of human breast milk.

5th place

Price per 100 g of mixture is 87.5 rubles.

Pros:

• all necessary minerals and vitamins;
• the ratio of linoleic to α-linolenic acid is close to optimal;
• all necessary minerals and vitamins;
• nucleotides;
• prebiotics.

Minuses:

• the osmolality of the mixture is higher than in breast milk, which can put excess stress on the kidneys;
• no probiotics.

6th place

Included here were infant formulas, which have a slightly higher protein content and lower lactose content than human milk. The ratio of whey proteins to casein is 60/40 (typical for mature lactation). Osmolality is within the typical range or even lower.

Price per 100 g of mixture 83.0 rub.

Pros:

• all necessary minerals and vitamins;
• additionally, essential amino acids for children (taurine and tryptophan) were introduced;
• prebiotics;
• nucleotides.

Minuses:

• the ratio of linoleic to α-linolenic acid is at the lower limit allowed by technical regulations;
• a lot of maltodextrin;
• no probiotics.

Price per 100 g of mixture is 85.7 rubles.

Pros:

• all necessary minerals and vitamins;
• nucleotides;
• lutein (protects the retina from damaging blue light and free radicals);
• prebiotics.

Minuses:

• a lot of maltodextrin;
• no probiotics.

Price per 100 g of mixture is 91.4 rubles.

Pros:

• all necessary minerals and vitamins;
• the ratio of linoleic to α-linolenic acid is close to optimal;
• no palm oil;
• prebiotics and probiotics.

Minuses:

• does not contain arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid;
• a lot of maltodextrin;
• no nucleotides.

7th place

Price per 100 g of mixture is 65.7 rubles.

Pros:

• all necessary minerals and vitamins;
• Additionally, essential amino acids for children (taurine and tryptophan) were introduced.

Minuses:

• the ratio of linoleic to α-linolenic acid is at the lower limit allowed by technical regulations;
• a lot of maltodextrin;
• no probiotics;
• no prebiotics;
• no nucleotides.

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If for some reason you decide to feed your child artificial formula, the question will naturally arise: “Which formula to choose, how do they differ and which formula is better?” In this article we will look at the main types of formulas for artificial feeding of children in order to understand this issue once and for all.

Cow's milk has been used for artificial feeding for thousands of years BC. And in India, goat's milk has always been used for these purposes. In the 19th century Doctors realized that cow's milk and the milk of other animals differed significantly from breast milk, so attempts began to create milk formulas whose composition was at least vaguely similar to human milk. At first, they simply diluted the milk and added various vitamins and nutrients. But for some reason feeding with these mixtures caused high infant mortality. After the discovery of the method of pasteurization and sterilization, these mixtures began to undergo heat treatment and bacteriological control. Mortality from infectious diseases decreased, but due to heat treatment, all nutrients (especially proteins) and vitamins in milk were destroyed. Researchers began to think about how to create a mixture whose products would help the baby cope with the digestion process and normalize it. Gradually, all technologies for the production of mixtures were improved: proteins are specially processed, minerals and vitamins are introduced artificially. Since cow’s milk was used to prepare almost all mixtures, it is processed in such a way that it contains a certain amount of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.

In almost every country in Europe, Asia, Russia, and America, there are companies specializing in the production of formula for artificial feeding of babies. Unfortunately, Russian products are not so widely represented. Each of these mixtures has its own advantages and disadvantages. We can only say one thing: they are all different.

There are a great variety of breast milk substitutes on the shelves of baby food stores and pharmacies, approximately 90 different types and names of formulas from Russian and foreign manufacturers. The first formula for artificial feeding appeared in Russia relatively recently - in the 1990s, of course, at that time the formulas were still unadapted. From that moment on, a real boom in artificial feeding began, and year after year this market is replenished and replenished.

In addition to formulas as the main food product, a large number of products have appeared created for feeding babies, which has made life much easier for parents and saved their time.

There are many different classifications of human milk substitutes, the main thing is to know what exactly you want from this mixture and for what purpose you are giving it to your baby.

What parameters should you use to choose formula for feeding your baby?

Firstly, for the growth and development of a baby, protein is required, which is a building material for the body’s cells, so you need to choose a mixture with the optimal amount of protein, which is in a state necessary for normal digestion and absorption. It is best if the mixture contains whey proteins.

Secondly, in order for the mixture to be high in calories and for the child to better absorb fat-soluble vitamins, it needs to contain fats, preferably vegetable ones.

Thirdly, the main carbohydrate in human milk is lactose, therefore this ratio should also be maintained in the formula for a healthy baby, although it is quite acceptable for the carbohydrates in the mixture to be represented only by lactose. It is acceptable if the mixture also contains glucose, but never buy mixtures that contain sucrose in their carbohydrate composition. Microelements in the mixture may be different.

The only thing you need to remember: if your baby does not have anemia, then never give him a formula with a high iron content, because this can affect the baby’s stool, regurgitation may appear or intensify, and dysbacteriosis may develop, since iron is a nutrient environment for the development of pathogenic bacteria in the intestines.

In general, all mixtures that are known today can be divided into three main global groups:

• The first group is mixtures intended for artificial feeding of healthy babies.
• The second group is mixtures recommended for artificial feeding of babies with special nutritional needs.
• And finally, the third group - mixtures intended for therapeutic nutrition of babies with any pathology.

This entire huge range of mixtures is divided into two main groups - adapted and partially adapted mixtures

Previously, there were still unadapted formulas, but now there are practically none left and no pediatrician will prescribe an unadapted formula to a baby. Adapted mixture- this is a mixture in which all nutrients are in the same quality and quantity as in human milk. IN partially adapted mixtures only some components are similar in quantity to human milk. Well, an example of the simplest non-adapted mixture is ordinary diluted cow's milk with added sugar. Despite the apparent civilization of our population, in some villages and villages this method of artificial feeding is still preferred.

Cow's milk is used to produce adapted mixtures. During industrial production, some changes occur in all the ingredients of cow's milk so that it is as close as possible to breast milk. They artificially reduce the amount of protein and calcium salts, change the fat composition by introducing a certain amount of unsaturated fatty acids, and increase the amount of milk sugar (lactose), because it is lactose that stimulates the development of beneficial bifid flora in the baby’s intestines. Adaptation of the quantity and quality of protein comes down to the introduction of whey proteins into the mixture. Unlike casein, which is found in large quantities in cow's milk, whey proteins form a more digestible curd in the stomach, and their amino acid composition is much closer to human milk. Adaptation of the fat ingredient is that milk fat is completely or partially replaced with vegetable oils - sunflower, corn, soybean, palm, etc. Due to this, the amount of such necessary essential polyunsaturated fatty acids in the mixture increases. Again, this ensures that the formula is as close in composition as human milk as possible, and the baby receives the nutrients it needs for normal growth and development in sufficient quantities.

Coconut oil is a source of medium-chain fatty acids, sunflower and corn oil are a source of linoleic acid, and soybean oil is a source of linolenic acid. To adapt carbohydrates, lactose is added to the mixture. Any adapted mixture includes all microelements in a qualitatively and quantitatively balanced state and the necessary vitamins. The total amount of mineral salts in adapted mixtures is less than in cow's milk. This is significant because the baby has not yet developed the excretory function of the kidneys. And a smaller amount of salts avoids the retention of osmotically active ions in the body of a child during infancy.

Besides, most adapted mixtures contain carnitine, taurine, infetol. Taurine is a very important amino acid that is not part of proteins, but is present in human milk in free form. The baby needs these substances for the construction of the retina, proper development of the brain, and the normal process of digestion and absorption of fats and carbohydrates. Examples of adapted mixtures include “Nan” (Nestlé, Switzerland), “Pre-HiPP” (HiPP, Austria), “Puleva-1” (Abbot Laboratories, USA), “Nutrilon” (Nutricia, Holland) , "Pikomil-1" (KRKA, Slovenia), "Heinz" (Heinz, USA), "Enfa-mil" (Mead Johnson, USA), as well as "Samper" (Sweden), "Mamex" (International Nutrition Co., Denmark), SMA (White Nutrition Inc., USA) and some other mixtures.

Less adapted for consumption are “casein formulas”. Their main difference from adapted mixtures is that they are produced on the basis of powdered cow's milk, the base protein of which is casein, but without the addition of demineralized whey. Thus, in terms of protein composition, such mixtures differ from breast milk, but in terms of other main components - carbohydrate, vitamin, mineral and fat composition - they are very similar to the original. “Casein formulas” include mixtures such as “Similac”, “Similac with iron” (Abbot Laboratories, USA), “Im-press” (Kruger, Germany), “Enfamil” (Brie-stohl-Myers, USA) and etc.

Regarding partially adapted mixtures, then they lack demineralized whey, and the fatty acid composition (the quantity and quality of essential fatty acids) is not accurately balanced. Not only the necessary lactose, but also sucrose and even starch are used as a carbohydrate ingredient in such mixtures. Partially adapted mixtures include “Malyutka”, “Malysh” (Russia), “Detolakt” (Baltic Dairy Plant, Ukraine), “Milumil” (“Milupa”, Germany), “Milazan” (Germany). Compared to highly adapted mixtures, representatives of this group are cheaper.

Well, non-adapted mixtures include dry mixtures “Krepysh” and “Health”.

It must be remembered that when artificially feeding, the child’s need for calories, proteins, fats and carbohydrates depends on the milk formula that he consumes.

When using adapted formulas, the amount of protein in a baby's diet is 2.2 g/kg of the baby's body weight. The need for carbohydrates is 12-14 g/kg, and the need for fats up to 4 months - 6.5-6 g, from 4 to 9 months - 6-5.5 g, from 9 months to 1 year - 5.5- 5 g. Well, the optimal ratio of proteins, fats and carbohydrates should be 1:2:4. The calorie content when feeding with adapted formulas is similar to that during natural feeding, but if feeding is done with non-adapted formulas, then the calorie content increases by 10%.

All infant formulas can be divided into fermented milk (acidophilus) and unleavened

On the domestic market, fermented milk mixtures are represented by the “Malyutka” and “Agu-1” mixtures. Among foreign manufacturers, we can note “Lactofidus” (France), “Pelargon” (Switzerland). “Lactofidus” and “Pelargon” are produced in the form of a powder that must be dissolved in water, not milk. Some parents believe that the acidophilus mixture can be replaced with kefir, but this is incorrect. Kefir belongs to complementary foods, and not to the main food the baby's food product. Acidophilus mixtures are very beneficial for the baby's health, especially if they are adapted. Such mixtures are enriched with cultures of acidophilus bacteria, bifidobacteria and other beneficial microorganisms. They fight harmful bacteria that enter the baby's intestines from the outside, and colonize free spaces so that pathogenic bacteria can become infected. did not multiply. Bifidobacteria normalize intestinal motility, participate in the formation of lysozyme, stimulate the development of lymphoid tissue, take part in the synthesis of vitamins B, C, K, B, E, promote the absorption of calcium, iron, and are capable of forming essential amino acids and some fats and carbohydrates. It is better to give such mixtures to a child in the summer and late spring, when it is hot, as well as to children with bowel disorders and weakened immunity. In general, it is recommended to prescribe fermented milk mixtures to children only from the first month of life, because earlier they can lead to regurgitation or intensify it. Moreover, it is best to combine the use of acidophilus and fresh mixtures in equal volumes of the total daily amount of food. It is optimal to give fermented milk mixtures during the daytime, and unleavened milk substitutes in the morning and evening.

The next classification of mixtures is related to their state of aggregation, i.e. mixtures can be dry, in powder form or liquid, which do not need to be diluted, but immediately consumed.

Dry mixtures are much more profitable than liquid ones, because you can measure and prepare the amount of mixture that is needed, and the remaining powder can be stored for a long time, in addition, they are cheaper in price and weigh less than their liquid counterparts. On the other hand, liquid mixtures do not need to be prepared, just heated to the desired temperature, and the mixture is already at the correct dilution.

Liquid mixtures include “Malyutka”. "Agu-1", "Baby-milk" is a domestic manufacturer. Foreign liquid mixtures are mainly “Tutgeli”. The use of liquid formulas is advisable only if they are used daily, systematically, without alternating with dry analogues, because otherwise it will be difficult for the child to adapt to one or the other type of formula.

Further, all mixtures can be divided into: casein and whey

As you know, human milk contains both of these components, but there is much more whey protein. Therefore, the same proportion must be maintained in mixtures. The Russian market of formulas is represented mainly by casein mixtures, the use of which is undesirable for the baby. If you are going to artificially feed your baby, you should give him the best and refrain from using casein breast milk substitutes.

Basic formulas, subsequent formulas, and formulas for children with various disabilities

Depending on the age at which any formula can be used, all artificial breast milk substitutes are divided into basic formulas, subsequent formulas, and formulas for children with various developmental disorders and metabolic disorders - specialized formulas. Separately, it should be noted that there are special formulas for feeding low birth weight or premature babies. In any case, according to the recommendation of the Health Organization, as with natural feeding, a baby up to 4-5 months should receive only formula, and only then complementary foods are introduced.

Basic formulas are used for babies aged from birth to 4-5 months of life. The basic formula must be adapted, because it is during the first half of life that the digestion process is established and the necessary flora is populated in the intestines. Basic formulas must contain all the required components in a composition that is closest to breast milk.

To feed babies in the second half of life, i.e. from 5 months and older, special “follow-up formulas” are used. They are so called because they are intended for nutrition at a subsequent age stage. Usually, the name of such mixtures must contain the number 2, for example, “HiPP-2”, “Enfamil-2”. These formulas are less similar in composition to breast milk and, in general, are a type of partially adapted difficult milk substitutes. No demineralized whey is added to them, and in addition, the calorie content of such mixtures is slightly increased to meet the needs of a child in the second half of life.