The Quest for the Best

Follow-on formulas are carefully designed for the nutritional needs of a baby after 6 months, but since your baby’s digestive system is still growing and maturing, it may mean that baby is not able to digest certain nutrients well.

Some ingredients in a formula - for example, lactose, the type of protein, or the fat blend may be difficult for your baby to tolerate. Common feeding problems due to formulas may be addressed by choosing formulas with:

• Reduced lactose
• Altered protein form & size
• Modified fat source

The Breakthrough Approach to Milk Formula

Reduced lactose

Lactose sensitivity can cause abdominal pains, spit-ups, gas and cramps. This happens when the bacteria in baby’s large intestine ferments non-digested lactose to produce gas and other compounds. This can cause bloating and watery stools. Switching to a low lactose formula can be an easy first step to help manage a child’s tolerance issues.

Altered protein form & size

During digestion, proteins are hydrolysed into di- and tripeptides and amino acids that are absorbed into the small intestine.3 Some formulas have their protein source partly broken down (partially hydrolysed) to support easy digestion by babies. Sometimes children with cow milk protein sensitivities may develop eczema - a skin rash characterized by itchy, red, or scaly patches.

Ministry of Health Guidelines recommend hypoallergenic^ formula for babies with a family history of allergy who cannot be completely breastfed.4

Modified fat source

The fat blend or source used in the milk formulas may affect your child’s stool consistency and frequency. Some formulas prepared with a predominantly palm olein oil blend could result in harder stools that may be more difficult to pass.5,6

Adding Prebiotics

Prebiotics like GOS have been shown to promote the growth of ‘good’ bacteria in the gut that help suppress the growth of harmful bacteria and maintain a healthy digestive system.