Lactose-free formulas are produced by almost every major baby food manufacturer. If the product is lactose-free, then the milk sugar content in it is close to zero. Why are they needed and what are they?
In what cases are applied
Formulas without lactose or with a low content of milk sugar are prescribed for artificially fed children who have developed symptoms of lactase deficiency. Since the activity of the enzyme is often reduced only partially, it is not necessary to completely switch to them. You can mix an adapted mixture and a lactose-free mixture for one portion, the amount of which is selected individually.
The indication for use is a secondary form of lactose intolerance caused by bowel disease. For example, when a child has an intestinal infection, after the appointment of a pediatrician, the child can be completely transferred to a lactose-free mixture. As soon as the baby recovers, the usual milk formula should be gradually returned to his diet.
Premature babies, who are often diagnosed with transient lactase deficiency, fed with food intended specifically for babies born prematurely. It contains less lactose than ordinary ones.
Lactose-free mixtures are also used as a basis for preparing cereals and mashed potatoes during the introduction of complementary foods for children with lactase deficiency.
Note that it is not necessary to stop breastfeeding with lactase deficiency.
It is necessary to completely eliminate lactose only in case of a congenital form of the disease, which is extremely rare. In most children, lactase deficiency is represented by a transient form, in which the activity of the enzyme is reduced only for a while.
Lactose is very important for the development of intestinal microflora and for the baby's nervous system. In addition, breast milk contains many other components that are very valuable for the baby.
The optimal solution for breastfed babies is the use of lactase preparations.
Dr. Komarovsky, in one of his answers to the topic of lactase deficiency, expressed the opinion that this diagnosis is often made unjustifiably in order to increase the sales of formulas with a low lactose content. The recommendations of doctors to young mothers to stop breastfeeding and give them to crumbs have become too frequent. As soon as the mother complains that the baby has frothy greenish stools, the pediatrician immediately begins to suspect lactose intolerance and prescribes a mixture without this carbohydrate. In fact, they are more likely to encounter a functional form of failure.
Features:
Lactose-free formulas are a health food for babies and must be prescribed by a doctor. It is not worth it to decide independently whether to feed them to the crumbs. Lactose is extremely important for the baby's body, and unreasonable feeding of the baby with a lactose-free product can harm the baby's health.
Features:
- Most often, they are prescribed only for a while, and after each course of feeding the child with a lactose-free product, it is necessary to check whether the absorption of lactose by the baby's body has improved.
- They can be made from milk or soy protein. And if there is no lactose in soy mixtures at all, then traces of this disaccharide can be detected in those made from milk.
- Many pediatricians recommend soy mixtures as a lactose-free food, but babies may develop allergies to such food.
- Taste qualities are rather low, so many children refuse them.
- With prolonged feeding, digestive problems may develop - changes in the color of feces, diarrhea, bloating, colic, a violation of the composition of the microflora.
- When given abruptly, the child may become constipated.
The transfer of the baby to a lactose-free mixture should be gradual. On the first day, add 30 ml of the new product to the usual mixture in one feeding. On the second day, the lactose-free mixture is added to two feedings of 60 ml each. The next day, two feedings are replaced with a lactose-free product. Further, the child can only be fed to her.
Difference from adapted
The adapted formula is created in such a way as to resemble breast milk to the maximum. For her, milk from cows or goats is used as the main ingredient. In contrast to such an adapted formula, there is very little or no milk in the low- or lactose-free diet. Most often, milk in such mixtures is replaced with soy.
The main difference is the absence of a carbohydrate called lactose. This carbohydrate is found in human milk and is always present in adapted formulas. If you look at the trace element and vitamin composition, it is noticeable that they are not inferior to milk mixtures.
List
Lactose-free milk formulas are available from the following manufacturers:
- Nan;
- Mamex;
- Celia lactofree;
- Nutrilon;
- Enfamil lactofree;
- Nutrilak;
- Bellakt;
- Grandma's basket.
Carbohydrates in lactose-free formulas are usually maltodextrin. The fat component is a blend of vegetable oils, including palm oil.
Composition review and analysis
In most lactose-free milk-based formulas, the proportion of whey proteins to casein is 60: 40. Only in the Enfamil blend this ratio is 20: 80, and Nutrilon is completely casein. There are probiotics (bifidobacteria) in Nan and Selia. Prebiotics are not added to such food. All mixtures, with the exception of Enfamil, contain nucleotides. The highest osmolality is found in the Celia mixture.
Blends that do not include lactose include soy-based products.
Also, lactose is absent in such hypoallergenic mixtures as:
- Alfara;
- Nutrilon Amino Acids;
- Nutrilak peptides STC.
Among soy baby food for lactase deficiency, Nutrilon soy mixture is often prescribed. It is based on soy isolate, so it does not contain animal proteins at all, which makes it also an excellent product for allergies (especially if an allergic intestinal lesion has led to secondary lactose intolerance).
Lactose-free Nana lacks glucose, so it is recommended for newborns with sugar intolerance. The carbohydrates in this product are corn syrup. Also added to this mixture are substances that stimulate the restoration of the intestinal mucosa.
It is impossible to say that some lactose-free blends are better than others. Each of them has its own advantages and special characteristics, thanks to which the nutrition can be selected individually, taking into account the state of the infant's health.
When to expect stool normalization?
With the introduction of lactose-free formulas into the baby's diet, the beginning of stool normalization is expected on the third or fifth day. Usually, the stool is completely normal by 5-7 days from the beginning of lactose-free feeding. The baby's condition improves and he begins to put on weight.
For the treatment of lactose deficiency in infants, see the program of Dr. Komarovsky.
