Mother's milk is a product recognized as the "gold standard" for feeding babies under one year old, doctors agree that transferring an infant to artificial feeding is recommended only in cases where the entire arsenal of lactation-stimulating drugs has proven ineffective. If this did happen, the parents are faced with the question of choosing the optimal nutritional composition for their baby.
Why can bottle feeding cause colic?
When switching to a mixture, the digestive process can cause considerable discomfort to the baby and his family members: colic, regurgitation, constipation are common problems among "artificial" people.
The culprit, as well as a factor in the development of constipation and regurgitation, may be the protein alpha-S1-casein - the protein component of mixtures based on cow's milk. The presence of alpha-S1-casein provokes the formation of a hard-to-digest clot in the child's stomach, which, when broken down, produces a large amount of gas in the intestines. The result, in addition to colic, is regurgitation, constipation and other manifestations of indigestion.
Blends with a predominance of whey (light) proteins in goat milk without alpha-S1-casein - the solution to the problem
The milk of goats has the greatest similarity with breast milk. Goat milk mixtures compare favorably with cow milk mixtures in the following factors:
- whey proteins are better and faster absorbed than casein proteins, therefore, nutrition with a predominance of whey proteins helps prevent constipation, regurgitation, colic;
- whey proteins stimulate the growth of bifidobacteria in the intestines of the child;
- Goat milk protein does not contain alpha-S1-casein.
The goat milk mixture, when digested, forms a softer clot in the baby's stomach than a cow's milk-based diet. The soft clot breaks down more quickly and easily in the digestive tract, minimizing the risk of intestinal colic and other digestive disorders in infants.
In addition to preventing digestive disorders, it is important that the formula for artificial feeding is saturated with biologically active substances necessary for the full development of the baby. In addition to vitamins and trace elements, their list contains nucleotides and taurine.
Nucleotides
Nucleotides are responsible for the formation of the nervous and immune systems, they are the building blocks for the DNA of cells and are especially important for weakened children and during illness. Also nucleotides:
- play a key role in energy exchange;
- participate in the synthesis of proteins, fats and carbohydrates;
- increase immunity.
Nucleotides in infant nutrition:
- increase weight gain;
- improve indicators of physical and neuropsychic development;
- stimulate the maturation of nervous tissue;
- contribute to the development of the organs of vision;
- contribute to the strengthening and development of the child's immunity.
The formula for feeding infants under one year old should contain no more than 3.50 μg / l nucleotides.
Taurine
For children under 3 months of age, taurine is a valuable biologically active substance responsible for the processes:
- development of the retina and brain tissue;
- maturation and differentiation of tissues of the nervous system;
- increase the body's immune forces.
Numerous studies of foreign and domestic scientists have proved that taurine deficiency in infancy can further cause a decrease in the child's intellectual capabilities, the development of hearing loss, poor vision. The optimal content of taurine in the formula for artificial feeding of a baby is from 3.5 to 8 μg / l.
You can visually compare the main characteristics of the most popular mixtures intended for babies in the first year of life using the table:
| Whey protein ratio% | Alpha S1 casein content | Prebiotics | Nucleotides | Taurine | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breast milk | 80/20 | - | + | ||
| MD Mil Goat 1 | 60/40 | - | + | 3.20 | 5.50 |
| Nanny 1 | 20/80 | - | + | 1.30 | 4.30 |
| Mamako 1 | 50/50 | - | + | 2.70 | 4.82 |
| Cabrita 1 | 60/40 | - | + | 2.63 | 5.30 |
| Similak Premium 1 | 50/50 | + | + | 2.5 | 3.80 |
Focusing on the data in the table, you can choose a milk formula, which is not only as close as possible in composition to mother's milk, but is also enriched with substances necessary for the growth and full development of the child. For example, milk formula based on goat milk "MD Mil Kozochka", produced at a high-tech factory in Spain, in addition to the colic-provoking goat milk whey protein, is additionally enriched with taurine and nucleotides. In addition, the composition of this mixture includes a full set of micro-, macroelements and vitamins, which ensure the full development of the child, strengthening and development of his immunity.
Correctly selected formula for artificial feeding of a baby is the key to his health and harmonious development!
Author: Anna Dubinina, head of the pediatric department, pediatrician of the Asteri-med multidisciplinary medical center, Moscow
