Choosing the Right Hypoallergenic Infant Formula For Your Baby
Does Your Baby Need A Hypoallergenic Formula?
Nothing can duplicate the properties and benefits of mother’s milk. But in some exceptional cases, i.e. when a mother is incapable of breastfeeding or when she decides to stop, recurring to hypoallergenic-labeled infant formulas would be a must to reduce baby’s allergy and discomforts.
So, what is a hypoallergenic formula? And when should it be used? You will find the answers to these two questions and much more in the following post. Read on.
What is a hypoallergenic infant formula?
A hypoallergenic infant formula is the type of formula with reduced proteins, which means the protein structure has been broken down to be much easier to digest and prevent baby from allergies and many stomach and intestinal diseases.
How many types of hypoallergenic formulas are there?
Hypoallergenic infant formulas come in three main varieties:
- The partially hydrolyzed, i.e. the type that contains long broken-down protein chains.
- The extensively hydrolyzed, i.e. the type that contains large protein chains broken down into shorter, easy-to-digest proteins.
- The free-amino acid based, i.e. the type that contains the basic amino acids that are generally light, single and easy to digest.
When hypoallergenic formulas are used?
Hypoallergenic formulas are commonly recommended for:
- Babies born into families with a strong history of allergic diseases, like asthma, eczema and food allergies, who won't be breastfed or who need a supplementary formula.
- Babies who are allergic or intolerant to proteins in ordinary formulas or breast milk.
- Babies who have esophagitis or are allergic to a wide variety of foods.
What are the right choices for hypoallergenic formulas?
Not all babies react to hypoallergenic formulas the same way. Some of them can’t bear the extensively hydrolyzed type recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for non-breastfed babies with a cow’s milk allergy, while some others improve greatly and get better thanks to the free-amino acid based type.
With all that said, we advise you to consult the pediatrician regarding your baby’s condition and follow his instructions prior to choosing any of the hypoallergenic formulas available in the market.
Read More: Allergic March In Children
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