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.
Reviewed By Dave Olson, MD
Fellow, American Academy of Pediatrics
Graduate University of Michigan School of Medicine |
