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What is hypoallergenic milk?
Also called HA milk or partially hydrolyzed protein milk, hypoallergenic milk is formulated to prevent the risk of allergies in babies. It is particularly recommended in a context of proven family allergy. This infant milk, sold exclusively in pharmacies, exists in 1st age preparation and now also in 2nd age preparation.
What is the composition of hypoallergenic milk?
In HA milks, “cow’s milk proteins are partially transformed by hydrolysis, they are cut into smaller molecules to reduce the allergic potential”, explains naturopediatrics specialist Candice Levy in her book “What milks for my baby?”(Ed. Le Souffle d’Or).
Nutritionally comparable to a classic 1st age milk, hypoallergenic milk covers the nutritional needs of the baby who will therefore not need to be supplemented. The expert also emphasizes that “all infant milks also contain vitamins and minerals”.
HA milk: when to use it?
Hypoallergenic milk does not in any way act as a treatment. It will be used only for the purpose of preventing a possible allergy. This infant milk should therefore not be offered to a baby already suffering from proven allergy to cow’s milk protein (APLV) or a Lactose intolerance.
In this type of situation, the pediatrician may prescribe an infant formula (NPP) based on high protein hydrolysates, that is to say that the proteins will be even more fractionated than in hypoallergenic milks.
It will be used in case of:
- Allergic field within the direct family. If the allergy is not hereditary, the tendency to be allergic, on the other hand, has a part of heredity. The pediatrician or family doctor will be best able to determine if your child is at a known risk of allergy. A hypoallergenic milk can then be prescribed during the first 6 months of the child.
- In addition to breast milk in order to limit from the first days the risk of allergy in a baby whose family has an atopic land.
What are the benefits of HA baby milk?
For Candice Levy, specialist in naturopediatrics, hypoallergenic milk has several advantages for children:
- Reduce the allergenic content of cow’s milk proteins.
- Protect the infant whose family has an allergic ground
- Improve atopic symptoms likeinfant eczema.
Which HA milk to choose?
“An infant formula (NPP) is generally recommended by a pediatrician or a doctor, who ensures that it is well adapted to the child and his problems,” recalls Candice Levy.
A healthcare professional will be the best suited to help you make your choice based on your baby’s family history and any signs of discomfort he presents.
Hypoallergenic milk subject to controversy
Far from being unanimous among pediatricians, HA milk would not have the expected effectiveness according to several studies published in recent years. In June 2019, the review Pediatric Allergy and Immunology revealed the results of research carried out by Inserm and INRA. “There is no protective effect of these products against possible allergic manifestations (eczema, asthma, food allergies, wheezing)”, underlines the newspaper.
The researchers also noted that this type of infant milk was “associated with a higher risk of eczema and wheezing at 1 year in children with a family history of allergy, and a greater risk of food allergy at 2 years in those with no history. “
A new European regulation requiring extensive clinical studies on these breastmilk substitutes should come into force in the course of 2021.