Which blends are best? Tips for new moms

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

It's no secret that breast milk is the best food for a baby. It is rare that a future mother plans to feed her baby with a mixture after childbirth. Unfortunately, many babies partially or completely switch to artificial feeding by six months. Then quite natural questions arise: “Which mixtures are better? How to choose them correctly? This is what this article is about.

When to mix?

There are many reasons when you cannot do without the introduction of a mixture: Rhesus conflict, childbirth by caesarean section, the birth of twins, lack of milk or its complete absence, forced intake of antibiotics or other potent drugs by the mother, and others. If there are no serious problems with lactation in the maternity hospital, before discharge, you can consult with doctors about how to support breastfeeding at home and what mixture is best to supplement the newborn if milk is still not enough. If artificial feeding is a necessity, then the choice of the mixture must be approached with all responsibility.

Which blends are best?

On the shelves of pharmacies and shops you can see a huge variety of boxes and jars with artificialfood for children. In order to determine exactly which mixture is better to give to a child, it is necessary to consult a pediatrician who will take into account the individual characteristics of the baby. If the crumbs have problems with the digestive system, mixtures with probiotics are shown. If the baby is prone to allergies, the doctor will advise lactose-free mixtures. Which one is better, again, the pediatrician will recommend. Due to the split protein, such food will be better absorbed without causing digestive problems. If the baby is he althy, regular, age-appropriate meals will do.

Attention to the label

Manufacturers have tried to create a worthy analogue of breast milk especially for newborns. To answer the question: “Which formula is best from birth?” and choose a quality food product, you must carefully study the composition:

• Proteins. This component of the artificial mixture is extremely important. It not only promotes the growth of body tissues, but also participates in the synthesis of amino acids.
• Fats. The mixtures are enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are present only in vegetable fats. They are responsible for the formation of the brain and physical development.
• Carbohydrates. To adapt the carbohydrate component, dextrinm altose or lactose is added to the mixture. They improve mineral absorption and bowel function.

• Oligosaccharides are prebiotic fibers that stimulate the growth of beneficial bifidobacteria in the baby's intestines. It's reliableprotects against infections, allergies, dysbacteriosis and digestive problems.

• Amino acids. Carnitine and taurine are important for proper nutrition of the child. They must be present in mixtures.

Varieties of artificial mixtures

There is no single answer to the question: "Which mixture is better?" Reviews of girlfriends or acquaintances should not be a reason to buy this or that baby food. Here everything is individual and depends on the state of he alth of the child and the financial capabilities of the family. The last one is quite important. Since pediatricians strongly advise against changing the formula often, except when it does not suit the child, you need to realistically assess your financial capabilities and choose one that you can buy for a long time. All artificial mixtures can be divided into three large groups:

1. Unadapted.

More recently, children were fed with ordinary milk or a liquid decoction of cereals. Naturally, such nutrition does not take into account the needs of the child's body. Today, such mixtures are called non-adapted. They are prepared from cereal decoctions and cow's milk with added sugar. As a rule, buckwheat, oatmeal and rice cereals are used. Rice broth helps to fix the stool, and oatmeal, on the contrary, has a laxative effect. This makes it possible to select the mixture, taking into account the individual characteristics of the child's digestion.

2. Adapted.

The presence of the inscription "adapted nutrition" on the package saysthat the product is produced taking into account the physiological characteristics of a child of a certain age. When making baby food, manufacturers strive to bring the composition of the mixture as close as possible to breast milk. By special processing of cow's or goat's milk, they reduce the content of s alts and protein in the product, but at the same time increase the amount of important vitamins and microelements. A mixture that is intended for babies from 0 to 6 months is called highly adapted. For children after 6 months and up to a year, partially adapted ones are suitable.

3. Medical.

Such mixtures are usually prescribed by a doctor. They have special properties that can help a particular child cope with a particular problem. Milk-based mixtures will help with regurgitation, diseases of the pancreas, biliary tract, and liver. Nutrition based on protein hydrolysates is recommended for malnutrition II-III degree, digestive disorders, allergic reactions. Mixtures with pro- and prebiotics (based on goat's milk and soy) are prescribed for intestinal infections, allergies to cow's milk protein and other diseases of the digestive system. For lactose intolerance, low- and lactose-free formulas are indicated.

Which is the best manufacturer, definitely impossible to answer. All conscientious manufacturers strive to make artificial nutrition of high quality, so the choice of the appropriate formula depends on the individual characteristics of each individual child.

Choosing quality feeding utensils

It is very important to choose the right feeding bottle. It is better to give preference to anti-colic, the nipple should have a small hole and fit snugly. While eating, the baby will make certain efforts, which means that he will satisfy his sucking reflex. Thanks to the anti-colic valve, such a bottle will insure the baby from pain in the tummy. In certain cases, it can even save you from reflux (regurgitation). After all, its cause is often excess air, which the baby swallows along with food.

Preparing the mixture

So, you have decided which mixtures are best, and bought a high-quality anti-colic bottle. Now you need to cook the baby food in compliance with all the rules. You should be aware that the taste of the mixture and its quality is affected by the water used for cooking. It is recommended to buy a special nursery. Before cooking, you need to bring the water to a temperature of 40 ºС, then pour the required amount of the mixture into it (the proportions are indicated on the package, they should be strictly observed) and shake the bottle well so that the powder dissolves.

Giving a bottle

Even if the baby is crying from hunger, you should not immediately offer him a mixture. First you need to make sure that it is the right temperature, and only then feed the baby. It is advisable to prepare meals a little earlier, 10 minutes before feeding, so the child will not languish in anticipation, and the mixture will have time to cool down a bit.

Feed with tenderness

It is very important that only the mother feeds the baby in the first months. The crumb-artist needs her communication and warmth especially. The baby must be fed on the hands, the bottle should be given from the side of the chest. You need to try to establish eye contact with the child, and even better, skin-to-skin contact. When feeding, you can gently shake and stroke the baby. At such moments, the baby will feel the same as the children who eat their mother's milk.

Remember that the quality of nutrition affects the he alth and development of your child. Therefore, you should determine with your pediatrician which formulas are best for your baby and make the right choice.