Mother's milk includes all the elements that a child needs for active development. What to do if you can't breastfeed? You need to choose the right formula for artificial feeding. For the little ones, the best choice is “Baby 1”.
No one will argue that mother's milk is the best nutrition for a newborn. But sometimes breastfeeding is not possible for various reasons. What to do then? Learn to choose the right milk formulas for artificial feeding.
On the shelves of Russian stores and pharmacies there is a huge number of milk formulas - from domestic and imported manufacturers, in different price categories. “Malyutka” is very popular - the composition of the mixture is closest to breast milk, which promotes excellent well-being and active development of the child. But first things first…
The production of “Baby” is carried out by (Holland), which is part of the group. Nutricia has been operating on the world market since 1896; products of this brand have appeared on the Russian market since 1994. During this time, the company managed to occupy a niche as a leader in its field, offering young mothers a quality product at affordable prices. The company is known for actively conducting research in the field of healthy nutrition. Today, Nutricia products are sold in more than 130 countries around the world.
In addition to the Malyutka formula, the company also produces Nutrilon baby milk and Malysh milk formulas. “Malyutka” is also available in two varieties: for a complete diet, choose the regular “Malyutka”, and for babies with digestive disorders it is worth buying premium fermented milk mixture.
What is “Malyutka” used for?
Formulas for newborns - expert rating
Infant formula is a substitute for mother's milk, which is manufactured in an industrial environment in compliance with all standards. It is used to meet the needs of an infant for nutrients, vitamins and microelements. All mixtures are adapted to the physiological characteristics of infants.
Formula milk
The composition of these products excludes proteins of animal origin, which are difficult for a child’s body to digest. Dairy-free infant formulas also do not contain casein. It is replaced by soy protein, which has high nutritional value. Fermented milk foods are used as a supplement to regular food.
Varieties of “Baby” for children under one year old
The products are available in four types.
"Baby 1"
Hypoallergenic formulas for newborns
Malyutka 1 for newborns is a dry formula for children from birth to 6 months. It contains 16 vitamins and 11 microelements. Their dosage meets the requirements for the active development of the child.
This mixture contains essential acids: omega-6 and omega-3. They promote the development of the brain and central nervous system. The baby’s body does not produce such acids, so it is necessary that they come from outside. The composition also contains a small amount of dietary fiber.
Note! Due to the presence of dietary fiber, normal intestinal microflora is maintained.
“Malyutka 1” contains vegetable fats: coconut, palm, rapeseed. Palm oil is most similar to mother's milk. Carbohydrates (lactose and maltodextrin) contribute to the rapid saturation of the baby.
"Baby 2"
This dairy product is used for artificial feeding of children from 6 months to one year. Among the 11 minerals, formula contains iron and zinc. Among the vitamins, we selected those that are most necessary for the development of a baby under one year of age.
The difference between Malyutka 2 is that it contains more casein proteins, and therefore has more calories. It takes longer to digest. All this allows you to achieve optimal saturation of the baby.
Important! The hypoallergenic mixture may taste bitter, and the baby's stool may turn green because of it. This reaction is normal.
Fermented milk “Malyutka 1”
A special leaven is added to its composition. It supports normal digestion and prevents the development of diseases of the stomach and intestines. No sugar or preservatives are added to the formula for children under six months of age.
Fermented milk “Malyutka 2”
It also contains processed sourdough. It is ideal for children from 6 to 12 months.
Are there possible negative consequences?
Unfortunately, each baby’s body is individual and can react differently to baby food. So, if you notice the following signs, most likely the “Baby” will have to be replaced with another:
- the child has gas, constipation, diarrhea or colic;
- the baby has gained weight or, on the contrary, lost weight;
- Diathesis began to appear.
The following drugs will help get rid of colic in newborns: “Bebinos”, “Plantex”, “Baby Calm”, “Bobotik”, “Bifidumbacterin”, “Mikrolax” as well as dill water, “Sab Simplex”.
Composition of “Malyutka” mixtures
Mixed feeding of newborns
Composition of Malyutka formulas for newborns:
- milk serum;
- fructooligosaccharides and galactooligosaccharides (prebiotics);
- vegetable oils;
- skimmed milk;
- milk proteins;
- maltodextrin;
- lecithin;
- lemon acid;
- nucleotides;
- vitamins A, D, E, K, C, PP, B1, B2, B5, B6, BC, B12;
- choline;
- inosine;
- L-carnitine;
- taurine;
- minerals.
How to properly prepare food for your baby
In order for the infant formula to benefit the baby, it must be prepared correctly. You should pay attention to the proportions, temperature, and recommended amount of dry product for different categories of babies.
Note! Baby food bottles must be sterilized.
How to breed correctly
It is necessary to determine, according to the instructions for use, the required ratio of water and dry product. Pour water into a sterile bottle and add baby formula (4.5 g) using a measuring spoon. The spoon should be dry.
Baby formula bottle and measuring spoon
Next, you need to close the bottle with a lid and shake well. There should be no lumps in the finished milk replacer. Sometimes some young mothers want to quickly satiate the baby and increase the amount of dry powder. This absolutely cannot be done - the baby may develop obesity. Cooked baby food should not be stored. It needs to be done as much as the baby eats at one time.
Important! Baby formula should not even be stored in the refrigerator.
The powder can be diluted with boiled water. There is special water for baby food. It contains useful microelements for the optimal development of the child. There is no need to boil it - just heat it to the optimal temperature (36-37 degrees). The finished mixture does not need to be heated. If during preparation for feeding it happens that the milk has cooled down, the bottle must be brought to the desired temperature under running warm water.
Ready-made infant formula
Important! Do not use a microwave oven to heat formula milk. The heat waves destroy the milk and the food will need to be re-cooked.
Can it be mixed with porridge?
Children under 1 year of age are not recommended to introduce cow's milk into their diet due to the risk of an allergic reaction. Porridge can be prepared using “Malyutka” baby formula. The cooking sequence is as follows:
- Grind the cereal in a blender.
- Pour it into a saucepan and pour boiling water over it. For one part of cereal you need to take 2 parts of water.
- Boil the porridge for a few minutes.
- Cool it and add the mixture in the amount of half the dose required for feeding.
- Mix the porridge well.
Baby porridge
Advantages and disadvantages
Baby formula “Malyutka” has a number of advantages:
- Only natural, organic cow's milk is used in production. Initial raw materials are purchased from suppliers remote from industrial zones and environmentally unsafe areas;
- 40 years on the market, at an affordable price;
- calorie content is as close as possible to breast milk;
- mixtures are produced based on the goal of preserving the biological value of all components. The mixture is pasteurized. This treatment helps to destroy pathogenic microorganisms and harmful elements, while maintaining a pleasant taste and biological value;
- the product is certified and manufactured in accordance with international standards ISO 9001: 2009, HACCP. At each production stage, quality assessment occurs;
- compliance with standards: TU U 10.8-39376486-001:2015;
- Recommended for use by pediatricians and nutritionists.
The disadvantages of this brand include:
- unpleasant odor after administration, sweetish taste is not suitable for every baby;
- complaints from consumers about inconvenient packaging, pointing out the impracticality of the pack;
- contain palm oil;
- in rare cases, an allergic reaction is possible.
How to switch from one mixture to another
When transitioning, a new product should be given gradually. On the first day, give 30 ml of a new product, and finish feeding with the previous one. Add 30 ml more of the new mixture daily. After a few days, the child will receive the new milk product completely.
Forbidden:
- introduce different mixtures into one bottle;
- give age-inappropriate food;
- change it if the baby develops colic, diarrhea or constipation for several days;
- introduce a new type of nutrition if the child is sick or teething.
Important! The feasibility of transferring from one mixture to another is decided by the pediatrician.
How is the transition to “Baby 1” made from breastfeeding?
If for some reason breastfeeding is impossible or difficult, you should take care of introducing baby formula into the diet. This must be done under the supervision of a pediatrician.
If the mother has the opportunity to breastfeed her baby, then formula should be introduced gradually. In terms of its composition, formula differs slightly from breast milk, which means that the child’s body will have to rebuild and adapt - this is stress. The smoother the transition, the less stress there will be.
So take your time. Introduce the mixture in stages: in the first days, it is enough to give the child “Baby 1” once a day; at the remaining meals, give the child breast milk. Observe the baby’s condition, his stool, if everything is in order, replace two meals a day with “Baby”. Then change half the daily value and gradually work up to a full replacement.
Follow feeding rules. It is better to give the first portions of the new mixture before lunch. As mentioned above, it is important to monitor the slightest changes in the child’s condition or well-being. If the stool remains the same, if a rash does not appear on the child’s skin, if there are no other negative reactions, proceed according to the plan described above, gradually introducing “Baby 1”.
How to understand if the formula is suitable for your child
You can find out that a product is not suitable for a baby by the following signs:
- after feeding he spits up a lot;
- there is diarrhea or constipation;
- allergic rashes appear;
- the child becomes capricious.
Allergy to formula milk
A baby for newborns is the right alternative to breastfeeding if for some reason it is not possible. The mixture provides the baby’s body with all the necessary nutrients, vitamins and microelements.
Recommendations for parents
For newborns, breast milk or artificially adapted formula is the only type of nutrition. Over time, the baby switches to complementary foods. Here it is very important to follow the rules and look at the reaction of the child’s body. It is not recommended to use two milk powders from the Malyutka series at once, as this can place a large burden on the body and lead to the development of constipation, colic or diarrhea.
If at the beginning of using another formula the baby has a negative reaction, this does not mean that feeding should be stopped immediately. Over time, the body will adapt to the new mixture, and the initial problems are only a reaction to the new composition. The following symptoms are considered normal:
- a small rash that goes away in 5 days or less on its own or after using anti-allergy medications;
- refusal to eat in the initial stages;
- regurgitation or change in stool.
If these reactions last no more than 5 days, then feeding can be continued. However, there are direct contraindications in which the use of Malyutka mixture should be stopped immediately. These include prolonged constipation and colic, vomiting and poor sleep, and lack of weight gain. If at least one of the listed reactions occurs, you should stop using the food and consult a doctor.
