How to choose baby milk: tips and criteria to take into consideration

You probably already know that for a newborn, the ideal food remains breast milk. Breast milk offers multiple benefits to the baby. Easy to digest, it provides the nutritional elements that infants need until age 6^th month. It contains protective antibodies which strengthen the child's immune defenses, as well as several substances useful for its proper development.

However, if you decide not to breastfeed your baby for one reason or another, you will need to turn to an appropriate infant formula. There are several types on the market. These substitutes for breast milk, which we call “infant formula” or “milk 1^er age”, are available both in pharmacies and in supermarkets.

But which infant milk should you choose for your little one? Before buying this or that product, read this article. You will find information about baby milk, including milk 1^er age. Also discover the criteria to take into consideration when selecting the best milk for your child.

Brief introduction to infant formula

When a baby is born, it is recommended to give him exclusively breast milk. However, when mother does not want to breastfeed or if she is unable to do so, in particular because of a problem related to parental leave , it will be suggested that she feed her infant ^infant milk. ^Early milks are suitable for feeding a newborn until it is possible to diversify their diet, in other words, around 4 to 6 months.

Milks 1^er age are subject to specific regulations mentioning the different compositions that infant milk must have. As for milk 1^er age, it must satisfy all the nutritional needs of the baby during the first months of his life, until he benefits from an appropriate nutritional supplement.

In order to offer milk whose composition and quality are close to those of breast milk, manufacturers are constantly undertaking research. In principle, substitute milk is obtained from cow's milk which has undergone certain modifications and adjustments, to be able to meet the needs of toddlers and comply with their digestive faculties. However, for almost ten years, some designers have started making their products using goat's milk.

Each infant milk sold on the market has its own ration of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins, iron or minerals. As has already been highlighted above, the nutrients in these products must all comply with the limits allowed by the regulations in force.

Furthermore, before feeding a baby with milk 1^er age, you should seek the advice of your doctor. And for good reason, with the diversity of infant milks offered on the market, you could opt for an inappropriate milk for your baby. Please note that there are just under a hundred milk references 1^er standard age, but apart from therapeutic milks.

Choose infant milk according to your child’s age group

No matter what product or accessory you plan to buy for your little angel, whether it is clothing items, a small night light or a childcare accessory, before making your choice, you must refer to the age of your child. Likewise, one of the main criteria to take into account before purchasing milk is its age. In fact, each age group corresponds to a type of milk. Here, we will discuss the ^1st age milk intended for infants until their ^6th month, the ideal ^2nd age milk up to 12 months and the ^3rd age milk that the toddler can consume until their third year.

Focus on milk 1^er age: 0 to 6 months

Also referred to as “infant milk”, milk 1^er age is made from processed cow's milk. This is to get as close as possible to the composition of breast milk. This type of milk contains low protein and little salt. It also contains long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Milk 1^er age is aimed at almost all babies, at least those who do not suffer from any particular problem. You will find them at the pharmacy or in supermarkets.

What you need to know about milk 2^th age: 6 months to 12 months

The cherub usually passes milk 1^er milk age 2^th age from 6^th at his 7^th month. When you decide to give it to him, you will also begin dietary diversification. It should be noted that milk 2^th age cannot constitute an exclusive diet for your baby, as it does not meet all of his nutritional needs. Like milk 1^er age, milk 2^th age is available at the supermarket and pharmacy. For your information, it is sometimes called “follow-on milk”.

What about milk 3^th age ? Up to 36 months

Also known as “growth milk”, milk 3^th age is aimed at children whose diet is now completely diversified. As a general rule, mothers give this milk to their little ones from the age of 12.^th month. One of the specificities of this type of milk is that it provides babies with a sufficient supply of essential fatty acids and iron.

Choice of infant milk: depending on the state of health of the toddler

To opt for this or that milk and choose the one best suited to your little one, it would be best to first talk to your pediatrician. This is because before turning to a particular milk, you must consider various parameters, such as the age of your baby, his characteristics and his physiological state.

If your child is allergic to a substance, if he reacts negatively during his bottle feeding or if you encounter any problem whatsoever with your little angel, notify the doctor, who will advise you. In any case, you should know that all milk undergoes control, the aim of which is to ensure that certain composition criteria are respected, in accordance with European regulations.

There are three main categories of infant milk, namely:

• Milk 1^er so-called standard age: it is designed for a baby in excellent health, without any illness. It is available at the pharmacy and in supermarkets;
• Milk for functional disorders: it is intended for children with mild digestive problems, such as constipation, colic or even regurgitation. You will also find them at the pharmacy and in supermarkets;
• So-called therapeutic milk: this milk is only sold at the pharmacy. It is aimed at children who suffer from illnesses such as lactose intolerance, gastroesophageal reflux or allergy to proteins contained in cow's milk.

Some facts to know before purchasing milk 1^er “standard” age

Regardless of the brand that makes them, milks 1^er age that you will see on the market all meet the nutritional needs of infants. This, whether you get it from supermarkets or the pharmacy. The fact remains that each manufacturer selects a distinct content for each nutrient included in its product. The following few indications will allow you to make the best choices.

• First, choose milk with added long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Under current rules, DHA levels should be between 14 and 35 mg per 100 ml. Also, the ARA intake should be equivalent to or greater than this rate.
• Second, the ideal protein level should be less than 1.36g per 100ml.
• Also, it is better to opt for milk with low salt content, which should be less than 23.6 mg per 100 ml.

What about milk for functional disorders?

If your child suffers from mild digestive disorders, give him milk specially formulated to remedy functional disorders. Here are some types of milk in this category.

Milk against constipation

If your baby only “poops” once every 2 days, it is very likely that he is constipated. Choosing milk with more lactose and less casein will be more beneficial. On the other hand, if his stools are rather soft, it is recommended that you reduce the lactose content of his milk, and at the same time increase the casein level. This will help reduce pain related to constipation.

Milk against regurgitation

Very often, infants are subject to regurgitation until their first birthday. It is possible to reduce regurgitation with milk rich in casein and with a maximum dose of 2 g/100 ml of starch, in order to thicken it. This type of milk is called “thickened formula milk”. It should be noted that if you are looking for thickened milk, you will only find it in pharmacies.

Satiety milk

Satiety milk helps to appease the hunger of a greedy baby or to distribute its bottles, without increasing its calorie intake. In this case, you will favor milk with a high level of casein, with added starch and less lactose.

Some useful recommendations to finish

As you will have understood, the choice of infant milk for your baby depends on certain criteria, such as his age or his physiological state. And as you have also seen, there are several kinds of milk. But one thing is absolutely to remember: cow's milk is not suitable for infants. This is because its protein content is too high. In addition, it contains little iron, vitamins and zinc, but too much sodium, mineral salts, essential fatty acids and saturated fatty acids.

Along the same lines, the consumption of plant-based drinks, called “milk”, is not suitable for infants. Among these plant-based drinks, we can cite oat, rice, coconut, soy, chestnut, hazelnut, almond milk, etc. In reality, these milks do not correspond to the standards imposed by the regulations of milks 1^er age. In addition, they do not meet the child's dietary needs. The same goes for milks of animal origin, such as sheep's milk or goat's milk.

In all cases, if you cannot give breast milk, know how to carefully select infant milk for your little one. As a guide, if your baby is exclusively bottle-fed, you will need to buy him at least one 400 g box of powdered milk per week. If you decide to bottle feed, do some research on formula before baby arrives. Just as you buy baby accessories well before birth: clothes, wall night light , diapers, etc., already think about purchasing ^first -age milk.