- A brief presentation of infant milk
- When to use infant formula
- The organic alternative, infant formula from other animals
- Mixed breastfeeding and weaning, how to proceed?
During the first months after birth, your baby only needs you; your love, your arms to protect it, cuddle it and your milk to feed it. Health professionals are unanimous, breast milk is the only complete and essential food for the good growth of babies between 0 and 6 months.
However, when breastfeeding is impossible or when the mother chooses not to breastfeed, the infant milk is an adapted relay. It contains all the nutrients necessary for the good health and growth of a child.
In powder or liquid form, formulated with cow's or goat's milk, infant milks or growing-up milks, hypoallergenic… the range of infant milks is vast. So extensive that, among all the possibilities, choosing the best infant milk for your baby can seem complicated. This is why Élhée is delivering its little ones to you today. secrets to a happy, full baby.
A brief presentation of infant milk
Classic infant milk is prepared from cow's or goat's milk. It is presented in the form dehydrated to be mixed with a suitable mineral water, or in the form liquid ready to use.
Modified to achieve sufficient nutritional values compatible with exclusive infant feeding, infant milk made from cow's milk is, for example, enriched with vitamins K and D, but also with iron and essential fatty acids. Its protein and mineral salt content is adjusted.
Moreover, its manufacture responds to a regulations strict and demanding, especially in terms of composition.
When to use infant milk?
Breastfeeding is the simplest way to cover 100% of the nutritional needs of a child up to 6 months, but the use of the bottle has become widely democratized. It even has several advantages, and allows, thanks to the variety of infant milks offered, to offer babies a tailor-made diet.
When breastfeeding is not possible:
- Because of a medical treatment contraindicated.
- Because of a sickness severe anemia or type 1 diabetes or when the mother has hypoplasia (underdevelopment of the mammary glands).
- Following a breast operation and more particularly, of a certain type of breast reduction.
- Due to some rare congenital diseases of the baby.
By choice for the bottle:
- Because it is plus simple to resume work.
- So that the loved ones can also feed baby and enjoy this moment of discovery and intimacy.
- For a greater freedom of movement for the mom.
Choosing the right infant formula for babies according to their age
Infant formulas fall into three main groups, classified according to the age of babies and their nutritional needs:
- 0 – 6 months: 1st age milk,
- 6 – 12 months: 2nd age milk,
- from 12 months: 3rd age milk or growth milk.
Allergy, Reflux and Indigestion: A History of Composition
In the majority of cases, the age indication is sufficient to choose an infant milk. Nevertheless, it happens that a specific milk is recommended by the pediatrician or family doctor. This is the case when digestive disorders (constipation or diarrhea), gastric reflux, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or even a food allergy to cow's milk proteins are diagnosed.
Baby milk brands therefore offer preparations adapted to the needs of each child: hypoallergenic, lactose-free...
The organic alternative: infant formula from other animals
In recent years, babies have also benefited from alternative infant milks largely formulated from goat's milk. This type of baby formula is known for different benefits:
- a composition more digestible thanks to a lower proportion of lactoglobulin and casein (milk proteins),
- a milk plus suitable for lactose intolerant babies,
- and different taste sometimes more appreciated.
Junéo, for example, offers a whole range of organic infant milk with goat's milk, suitable for babies from birth: Junéo goat 1st age, 2 ᵉ, and growth.
It is also possible to find infant formula made from sheep's milk and more rarely, mare's milk.
Mixed breastfeeding and weaning: how to proceed?
From birth, at the time of food diversification or later, you can choose mixed breastfeeding for your child. Only, between feedings and bottles, a subtle balance has to be found, which you will achieve more easily by favoring thelisten carefully to your feelings.
What does mixed breastfeeding mean?
We speak of mixed breastfeeding when a baby is fed both at the breast with breast milk and with a bottle with infant formula. Mixed breastfeeding aims, little by little, to wean the baby and to accompany him towards a more independent diet.
The transition to baby bottles and infant formula
To set up mixed breastfeeding, there is no better rhythm than yours. The one you will find the most natural, the least restrictive and the most pleasant for you and for your baby.
A problem often encountered by young mothers is that of breast-pacifier confusion. To avoid this as much as possible, the choice of a physiological teat at the right flow rate is essential. With her shape similar to that of the nipple and adapted to the palate, it allows the breastfed and bottle-fed baby to suck equally easily in either direction.
Choose the right bottle
When it comes to breastfeeding and infant feeding, it's all about feeling and feeling. pleasure of the senses. The baby's nose, mouth, lips, tongue and hands are soft and sensitive areas. It is important to preserve them, but also to stimulate them.
To support the transition to mixed breastfeeding, a sensory bottle can be a great help. Shape, texture, color... its purchase can today marry innovation, efficiency and love. Every aspect counts. And if, in addition, you fall for a bottle designed in France from healthy materials and it is immediately adopted by your baby, you will know that you have found it.
