Specific infant milks: how to choose them?

All about specific infant milks

Special premature milk

No doubt, your prematurely born baby is regular follow-up, you will not have to choose the milk, it is the pediatrician who will prescribe a “special premature” milk. These milks are in particular enriched with protein and calories to ensure good weight gain for your newborn.

AR milk

Your child has gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and you are worried about their health, weight gain etc. As a first step, it is best to consult the pediatrician. If GERD is confirmed, they will prescribe a thickened anti-regurgitation milk (AR). These pre-thickened milks with corn, rice or carob starch help limit regurgitation.

Milk enriched with prebiotics and / or probiotics

These infant preparations contain prebiotics and / or probiotics and are intended to promote an intestinal flora similar to that of breast-fed children. Profits ? This would aid in the digestion of milk and better protect babies from infections.

HA milk

A child is considered at risk of allergies if at least one of the parents or siblings has a digestive, skin or respiratory allergy. If there is a family history of allergies, the pediatrician will recommend the use of hypoallergenic milk called HA. It is a preventive treatment provided you use a HA milk which has proven its effectiveness in this indication. But, in the event of a proven allergy, this type of milk is not suitable, it will be necessary to choose a cow’s milk protein hydrolyzate.

Cow’s milk protein hydrolyzate

Be aware that this cow’s milk protein allergy is rare. Many parents mistakenly believe their babies are allergic and change their infant’s diet without medical advice. Before changing milk, it is better to consult your doctor or pediatrician. If the cow’s milk protein allergy is confirmed by tests, your doctor will prescribe a milk known as cow’s milk protein hydrolyzate. These milks are only available in pharmacies on medical prescription.

In video: Which milks from birth to 3 years old?

Lactose free milk

In the event of acute diarrhea, the doctor may advise infant milk without lactose, until everything is back to normal. It is necessary above all rehydrate well the baby. The pediatrician will prescribe a rehydration solution and will certainly recommend switching to lactose-free milk time for the diarrhea to go away.

Baby is constipated

No milk has proven its effectiveness against constipation. Some brands say on their labels that their milk softens the stool. However, this by no means resolves the real problem. In case of constipation, it is better to consult your doctor.

Beware of vegetable milks

The National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES) published a report on the risks associated with feeding infants with drinks other than breast milk and infant formulas. This warning follows numerous reports of serious cases in young children who had consumed non-specific plant milks for babies. Deficiencies, malnutrition, convulsions: these are the consequences observed during the risk assessment by the agency. The specific nutritional needs of toddlers are covered either through breastfeeding or through the consumption of specific infant formula.

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