Stillen& Bottle-food – no either/or
It is obvious to everyone that breastfeeding is the best way of feeding a baby provided by nature. This is not only because the mother’s body reacts to the intensity and frequency of sucking, so that the milk’s composition, quantity and temperature are always precisely adapted to the baby’s needs, but also because breastfeeding creates a close and intimate connection. This physical contact is important for the so-called bonding, that is, the intimate connection between mother and child – this allows the baby to build a primal trust. Of course, breastfeeding has other functions, first and foremost feeding the baby. Milk provides the baby with all important nutrients.
But that was not enough:
With the mother’s milk, the child takes in a large number of important bacteria that settle in the intestine and are of great importance for digestion. Last but not least, breast milk provides the baby with free antibodies that protect it from infections during the first weeks and months (nest protection).
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that babies be exclusively breastfed for a full six months, with accompanying breastfeeding until 2. Birthday. Of course, breastfeeding is allowed as long as it is good for mother and child, but there are several reasons to switch to formula after the first few months.
Even though breast milk is the gold standard of baby nutrition, there are several reasons why Not or not exclusive is breastfed or can be breastfed and is given (in addition) the bottle. "Industrially manufactured infant formula," as powdered milk for babies is officially called, doesn’t sound like comforting gurgles, cozy bottle time with mom or dad, or the best thing for your little one. But infant milk these days is better than ever before. In the meantime it is even imitated in the composition of the mother’s milk. How to do it? For example, by adding probiotic bacteria and prebiotic dietary fiber.
The former achieve a positive health effect by attaching themselves to the intestinal cells and, for example, warding off pathogenic germs and promoting antibody synthesis. The latter serve as a source of nourishment for the positive lactic acid cultures present in the large intestine. Thus, they promote the growth of healthy intestinal flora.
Breast milk automatically adapts to the needs and requirements of the child. In the case of industrial infant milk, parents must make a choice.
This is not always easy in view of the large number of different manufacturers and products. Well informed, it is very easy to give the baby the best start in life with high quality and healthy milk foods. Therefore, we explain everything you need to know so that you can make a decision with conviction and a clear conscience.
Which milk is right for my baby?
If you are standing in front of a shelf of infant milk for the first time in a drugstore or want to order the milk powder conveniently on the Internet, you will quickly be overwhelmed by the selection of products and the different, sometimes cryptic, designations. Each manufacturer offers products from newborn to toddler. All types of milk naturally contain all the important nutrients a baby needs for growth (such as iodine and iron), but each brand differs slightly in its composition. You should not be unsettled by this.
The different types of milk
- Pre
- 1
- 2
- 3
- HA
- Special milk
The infant milk with the name Pre Recommended by pediatricians and nutrition experts for newborns. It is as similar as possible to breast milk and can be given throughout the first year of life if the baby is satisfied with it. Pre-milk is the only carbohydrate that contains the milk sugar Lactose. Pre-milk is quite thin and can be fed to the baby as needed. As with breast milk, there is no risk of overfeeding the baby.
If the baby is fed exclusively with bottles, you should choose a pre-milk, because it contains the long-chain unsaturated fatty acids (DHA, omega-3). These are referred to as LCP Designated.
Follow-on milk 1
Follow-on milk 1 can be given from birth onwards. It is a little creamier and more saturating than the pre-milk. It contains lactose as an additional carbohydrate Cornstarch. The 1 milk is useful for the phase when the baby is not yet receiving complementary food, but the pre-milk is no longer sufficient to satisfy the baby. You will recognize this when the baby either whines even though the bottle has been emptied, or when he or she gets hungry at noticeably shorter intervals. However, if your child is satisfied with the pre-milk, it is not absolutely necessary to switch to the 1s (or other follow-on milk).
Follow-on milk 2
2 milk can be used from around 6 months of age, the age at which complementary feeding usually begins. It is not so similar to breast milk in its composition. For example, depending on the brand, it may contain other types of sugar in addition to lactose, such as lactose.B. Glucose, Maltodextrin and Starch. Switching from the 1 milk to the 2 milk is only advisable if your baby is not full with the follow-on milk 1 or is eating poorly or not at all, in order to ensure the increased nutrient uptake, especially for babies from 9 months of age.
Follow-on milk 3
From about the age of 12. After the third month of life, there is the possibility of switching to follow-on milk 3. The Starch, protein and sugar content This milk is relatively high, which is not necessarily beneficial for the infant’s body. Due to the high calorie content, it can be easier Overweight arise. For these reasons, 3 milk is controversial among pediatricians and nutrition experts. However, especially for children whose weight is too low or who are fed mainly on milk during an illness, the follow-on milk 3 can be useful. Towards the end of the first year of life, children should be slowly introduced to the family diet. With these additional feeding options, formula milk can become more and more obsolete. If a ready-made milk is nevertheless desired, there are also the infant milks 1 (from one year of age) and 2 (from two years of age), which are adapted to the nutritional needs of infants.
The abbreviation HA stands for hypoallergenic (hypo = under/less). In this type of milk, the protein is broken down in a special way. This can reduce the risk of children developing an allergy. HA food is only recommended if a child is considered to be allergy-prone applies. This is the case, for example, if the mother, father and/or a sibling have asthma, neurodermatitis or an allergy to food or pollen. HA food is therefore not only given in the case of an increased risk of a milk protein allergy. An allergy to milk protein is, by the way, different from a lactose intolerance, which can be Lactose directs. You should always discuss with your midwife or pediatrician whether your child should be given HA-milk. The above mentioned classification into Pre, 1, 2 and 3 also applies to HA milk.
Special milk
Some babies have special needs that also require a special diet.
A little burp after drinking and a bit of milk finding its way out is quite normal. But for some babies, more than just a little gulp comes. If your baby spits up more after drinking or even vomits milk like gushes, be sure to talk to the midwife or pediatrician. For some children, after possible illnesses have been ruled out, the AR Milk (Anti Reflux). It is designed to prevent a lot of milk from flowing back through the esophagus into the mouth and causing the baby to spit up. The milk is somewhat creamier and contains, among other things, carob bean gum, which is supposed to counteract reflux.
Sensitive or comfort foods
In the first weeks and months of life, the intestinal flora must first build up and find its composition. During this time, digestive problems are unfortunately not uncommon in infants. But some babies have to struggle even more than others. For these children a Sensitive milk formula be meaningful. It contains a different composition than normal infant milk and is prebiotic dietary fiber. The fat, protein and sugar composition differs in sensitive milk formula, which can have a favorable effect on digestion. The pediatrician should also be involved in the choice of such a special diet.
If there is an allergy to cow’s milk protein or a food intolerance to milk, any "normal" infant milk becomes a problem because they are all based on cow’s milk. In this case, special cow’s milk-free foods based on soy are available. Please talk to your pediatrician in this case as well. It is strongly recommended discouraged, Infants on their own with Alternative products like goat’s or mare’s milk, or with purely vegetable rice, soy or almond milk. These products are not suitable for baby feeding and may contain Digestive disorders and Deficiency symptoms lead.
Milk for premature and very light babies
Depending on the age and weight of the premature baby, different Special foods to the use, about which a clinic can give best information.