Artificial lactation

Breast milk is the best food that a baby can receive during the first year of life, however for various reasons many mothers have to resort to artificial milks trying to supplement or replace the ideal food for the growth and development of the little ones. This obliges them to know some aspects related to artificial formulas, such as the types, ways of preparation and the frequency and quantity of feedings.

Artificial lactation is considered to be the use of a food other than breast milk, generally modified cow's milk, as a substitute for human milk.

The first thing mothers should know is that unmodified cow's milk cannot be given to infants under one year of age, since its high content of proteins, fats and some minerals make it much more difficult for the baby's immature organism to digest; it is also deficient in iron, essential fatty acids and some vitamins.

What are infant formulas?

Infant formulas are industrial products designed for infant and child feeding, the contents of which are usually derived from modified cow's milk, although there are also commercially available formulas derived from goat's milk and soy.

The composition of the formulas has been transformed in accordance with new knowledge and scientific and technical advances to bring their composition closer to that of the reference standard: mother's milk.

At present, the composition of formulas -liquid or powdered- varies according to the age of the infant, and is divided into three groups:

• Starter formulas, intended to cover the nutritional requirements of infants between 0 and 6 months.

• Follow-up formulas for children between 6 and 12 months, although they can also be used for children older than 12 months.

• Growth formulas for infants over one year of age.

Will it ever be possible to manufacture an artificial milk similar to breast milk?

It seems an impossible task since the composition of human milk varies throughout the feeding and throughout the day, in addition to the age and needs of the baby, and depends on the individual characteristics of each mother.

Formulas for minor digestive disorders

There are some artificial formulas with small modifications in their composition intended to solve minor digestive problems. Within this group of formulas are the following types:

• Anti-regurgitation formulas.

• Anti-constipation formulas.

• Anti-colic formulas.

• Lactose-free formulas.

Formulas for infants with special needs

This group of special formulas is composed of those whose macronutrient content differs considerably from artificial formulas for infants starting, continuing and growing. Most of the special formulas have in common the substitution of cow's milk proteins by other proteins depending on the infant's needs. Within this group of formulas are the following types:

• Soy formulas.

• Partially hydrolyzed formulas.

• Amino acid or elemental formulas.

• Rice protein formulas.

Formula preparation

Milks come in two formats: ready-to-serve and powdered formulas. The former save effort and time, however, if the instructions are read carefully and followed to the letter, both formats are equally effective.

Steps to prepare powdered milk formula:

• To prepare the bottle, the first thing to do is to wash your hands with soap and dry them thoroughly.
• It is not necessary to sterilize the bottle, nipples and other accessories before each use; washing with soap and sufficient water is sufficient. The soap should be a detergent composed of natural products; it should not contain perfumes or colorants and the pH should be neutral.
• Heat mineral water suitable for children's consumption without boiling. Pour the necessary amount of water and add a small amount of powdered milk for every 30 milliliters of water.
• Stir gently until you are sure that there are no lumps. Test the temperature on the back of the wrist; the milk should be slightly warm.
• The milk should be prepared just before feeding and the remainder after feeding should be discarded.
• If drinking water is used to prepare the bottle, boil it for one minute and wait for it to cool before preparing the milk.

Frequency and quantity of feedings

Starter milk is assimilated more slowly than breast milk, so the time between feedings may be somewhat longer. We must consider that each baby is unique, therefore the recommended amounts and schedules do not have to be strict, we must learn to interpret their needs, never force them to eat more than they want, and do not leave them hungry.

Recommendations for artificial feeding

• Consult your pediatrician before introducing or changing the type of artificial feeding.
• Do not dilute the formula if it is prepared or add more powder or water to powdered formula. Strictly follow the directions. Highly concentrated prepared formulas can cause hypertonic dehydration. On the other hand, providing formula with less solids may cause undernutrition.
• Adjust the size of the nipple hole. If the baby has a hard time sucking, the hole should be a little bigger; but only a little, because if it is too big, the baby will choke and will be afraid to continue with the feeding.
• Do not add sugar or honey to the formula, these substances could cause various health disorders in babies under one year of age.
• Take advantage of the bottle-feeding moment to approach the baby, caress him and talk to him just as you would if you were breastfeeding him. Never leave the baby alone to take the bottle, he could choke.
• Hold the baby's head in a slightly elevated position and hold the bottle up so that he/she does not suck in air.
• Never heat the milk in the microwave as some areas of the milk can overheat and burn the baby.
• Clean the outside of the milk container well before opening it.
• Do not overfeed your baby. If your baby does not seem to be satisfied with the recommended amount, consult your pediatrician.