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Formula feeding

SMA® Nutrition is actively committed to supporting breastfeeding as the optimal source of nutrition for babies. When exclusive breastfeeding is not possible, the Unicef Guide to the Baby Friendly Initiative Standards advises healthcare professionals to encourage mums to maximise the amount of breast milk their baby receives. In this section we look at combination feeding, protein requirements for infants, baby stools and what to expect.

Combination feeding involves supplementing breastfeeding with bottle-feeding – using formula or expressed breast milk. It enables parental flexibility through the night, or when a mother returns to work. Please peruse in greater detail and discover what advice to offer to parents who have chosen to combination feed.

Breastfeeding is the optimal way to feed a baby1,2 In our section on protein requirements for infants, we discuss how breastfed babies tend to grow more slowly than formula-fed babies. This slower growth rate has shown significant long-term health benefits, including a lower risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease.1–5 The protein content of breast milk adapts to the infant’s requirements and decreases over the course of lactation in order to support age-appropriate growth.6,7

We also explore how, based on the latest science, some companies have lowered the protein in infant formula and follow-on formulae in recent years. The aim is to achieve a slower growth rate in formula-fed infants, comparable to that of a breastfed infant,8 and to help reduce the infant’s risk of becoming overweight or obese later in life.9

Baby stools is a frequent conversation between parents and healthcare professionals. In our baby poos and what to expect section we explore how parents are naturally concerned when they notice any changes and how it is useful for them to understand what to expect when it comes to frequency of stools and consistency.

The frequency of stools in early life tends to be affected by whether they are breastfed, or formula fed10. We discuss first poos, colour and consistency, and other common factors that influences poo consistency in early life.

Mother breastfeeding baby

Combination Feeding

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Baby on changing table

Baby poos and what to expect

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Mother breastfeeding baby

High protein intake in early infancy may increase obesity risk

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References
  1. Victora C. et al. Lancet 2016;387:475–490.
  2. World Health Organization (2013). Long-term effects of breastfeeding: a systematic review on the benefits of breastfeeding on diarrhoea and pneumonia mortality. Available at: https://iris.who.int/server/api/core/bitstreams/b7fdc85b-8623-495b-978f-01079bdef07b/content . (Accessed July 2020).
  3. Singhal A. et al. Am J Clin Nutr 2010;92:1133–1144.
  4. Woo Baidal J. et al. Am J Prev Med 2016;50:761–779.
  5. Druet C. et al. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2012;26:19–26.
  6. Lönnerdal B. et al. J Nutr Biochem 2017;41:1–11.
  7. Gidrewicz D. et al. BMC Pediatr 2014;14:216.
  8. Alexander D. et al. Am J Clin Nutr 2016;104:1083–1092. 16. European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). EFSA Journal 2014;12(7):3760.
  9. Koletzko B. et al. Am J Clin Nutr 2009;89:1502s–1508s.
  10. Breastfeeding challenges, Start 4 life. Available at www.nhs.uk/start4life/baby/feeding-your-baby/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-challenges/constipation/. Accessed February 2022
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