Artificial milks: when are they indicated?
Artificial milks, also called "formulated", are made from cow's milk, which is profoundly modified to make it suitable for the needs of the newborn. As it is, in fact, cow's milk cannot be considered suitable for infant feeding.
The choice of infant formula is always and exclusively up to the pediatrician; the mother cannot and absolutely must not choose it according to her preferences, as happens during a normal shopping at the supermarket. Among the artificial milks on the market there may in fact be small differences in composition that make one product more suitable than another.
The composition of the artificial milks must in any case correspond to the dictates of the "ESPGAM, an International Control Body made up of doctors (pediatricians, gastroenterologists, allergists, etc.) who study the baby's dietary needs, according to a correct development and prevention of problems. future (allergies, food preferences - important in the prevention of obesity, diabetes and other diseases - etc.).
ESPGAM provides optimal concentration ranges for each nutrient which, after having become the subject of an EEC regulation implemented by the member states, obliges manufacturers of baby food to comply with these indications.
For the maximum protection of the newborn, the rules and controls on artificial milks are particularly strict.
To evaluate the growth of a newborn, pediatricians rely on anthropometric measurements. Weight, age, head circumference, length, skin fold of the arm and its circumference are the most commonly measured parameters.
These data are then compared with particular graphs, which show specific growth curves (different in the two sexes). The evaluation of the results is important both if the baby is fed with mother's milk, and if his feeding is based exclusively on artificial milk.
Cases in which breastfeeding is not possible
Having ascertained that breast milk represents the first and irreplaceable food for the newborn, there are some very specific situations in which it is not possible to breastfeed. One of the most common is the proven impossibility of breastfeeding due to lack of milk or agalease (a condition that occurs in 2% of mothers); Fortunately, in rarer cases there are strong contraindications to breastfeeding, such as in the presence of serious diseases (eg HIV, tuberculosis), drug use, malnutrition, use of particular drugs that can pass into milk or debilitating treatments of various kinds .
Types of infant formula, intended for healthy babies
Based on the age for which they are intended, they differ in:
Adapted milk or starting milk: more digestible and rich in whey proteins, it has a composition very similar to that of breast milk, it is enriched in lactose, oligosaccharides, mainly vegetable fats, vitamins and mineral salts. Currently it is the most used milk from birth up to the 4th - 5th month of life.
It is defined Infant or starter milk (marked by the number 1).
Partially adapted milk or follow-on milk: it differs for a lower lactose content, partly replaced by glucose and sucrose and for a different protein content. Compared to the previous one, it has a composition closer to that of cow's milk, especially as regards proteins and lipids. It is however richer in iron.
It is called Follow-on Milk (marked by the number 2) and is suitable for infants aged 6 to 12 months.
Growth milks, are administered from 12 months onwards. Even if they are not real baby foods, they are always part of the dietary products. In fact, they consist of normal cow's milk, simply added with vitamins and mineral salts. From the first year of life onwards, the baby can in fact consume cow's milk, because his digestive system has reached an adequate stage of development.
If there are strict regulations for adapted and partially adapted milks, as well as well-defined concentration limits for each individual nutrient, for growth milks there is greater freedom in the formulation of the product.
Liquid or powdered artificial milks are commercially available; while the former guarantee greater practicality (even if they must be consumed quickly after opening), the latter occupy a smaller space (but require longer preparation times). be established by strict international regulations.
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