infant formula

Infant formula is a special dried milk powder used as a substitute for or to supplement breast milk in the first 12 months of a baby’s life. Infant formula is made to resemble breast milk as closely as possible and attempts to provide all the nutrition a baby needs including protein, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, and vitamins.

Infant formulas are available as powders or concentrated liquid, which is mixed with water, or as ready-to-use formulas, which are more expensive than the types.

Breast milk is considered to be the best and only source of nutrition required for infants up to 4 or 6 months of age when they can begin to eat soft solid foods. In addition to nutrition, breast milk has other biologic substances that are important for the development of the baby’s intestinal function, immune system, and brain development.

Although breastfeeding is highly recommended, breastfeeding may not always be possible, suitable, or fully adequate by itself. Infant formula is an industrially produced substitute for infant consumption. Infant formula can fully meet the needs of a baby and is intended for use until the infant is 12 months old, along with solid food after 4 or 6 months.

Infant formulas are of three main classes:

• Cow’s milk-based formulas prepared from cow’s milk with added vegetable oils, vitamins, minerals and iron, suitable for most healthy full-term babies.
• Lactose-free formulas for babies who cannot digest lactose, the sugar in cow’s milk.
• Soy-based formulas made from soy protein with added vegetable oils and sucrose or corn syrup, used for infants:
  • Who are unable to tolerate or allergic to lactose, and/or proteins in cow’s milk
  • Who have galactosemia, a disorder with the inability to digest galactose, a sugar present in breast milk and cow’s milk
  • Whose parents do not wish to feed animal proteins to their babies
• Protein hydrolysate formulas which contain proteins that have been broken down or predigested (hydrolyzed), are used for infants who cannot tolerate or allergic to both cow’s milk and soy formulas.

There are other special formulas available for babies with certain health problems:

• Reflux formulas, pre-thickened with rice starch used for infants with reflux who are not gaining weight
• Formulas with extra calories and minerals to meet the needs of premature and low birth-weight babies
• Special formulas for infants with heart disease, malabsorption syndromes, and problems digesting fat or processing certain amino acids.

Warnings

• Many different infant formulas are available in the market. There is no single best formula for all children. Consult with your pediatrician and choose a product that meets your baby’s needs.
• Do not use toddlers’ formulas to feed infants below 12 months old, use formulas specifically designed for infants.
• Infant formula provides nutrition and does not generally have side effects. Some infants, however, may have intolerance or allergy to milk proteins or soy, and special formula may be required for such infants.

Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms or serious side effects while using this drug:

• Serious heart symptoms include fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness;
• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady;
• Severe nervous system reaction with very stiff muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, and feeling like you might pass out; or
• Serious eye symptoms include blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights.

This is not a complete list of all side effects or adverse reactions that may occur from the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may also report side effects or health problems to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Dietary Supplement

• 100 cal/kg/day; volume/feed 30 mL/kg less than 1 L/day

Pediatric:

Enfamil

• Protein Source: Milk and whey
• Cal/oz: 20,24

Similac

• Protein Source: Milk
• Cal/oz: 13,20,24,27

SMA

• Protein Source: Milk and whey
• Cal/oz: 13,20,24,27

Isomil

• Protein Source: Soy and methionine
• Cal/oz: 20

Nursoy

• Protein Source: Soy and methionine
• Cal/oz: 20

ProSoBee

• Protein Source: Soy and methionine
• Cal/oz: 20

Pregestimil

• Protein Source: hydrolyzed casein
• 55% fats from MCT oil
• Cal/oz: 20,24

Soyalac

• Protein Source: Soy and methionine
• Cal/oz: 20

Overdose

• Babies naturally refuse to feed and turn their faces away when they are full, and overfeeding is uncommon.
• Overfeeding an infant can make them spit up or vomit the infant formula and get gassy, fussy, and irritable. Overfeeding can be avoided by watching for cues as to how the baby responds before, during, and after feeding.

Inform your doctor of all medications you are currently taking, who can advise you on any possible drug interactions. Never begin taking, suddenly discontinue, or change the dosage of any medication without your doctor’s recommendation.

• Infant formula has no listed severe, serious, moderate or mild interactions with other drugs.

The drug interactions listed above are not all of the possible interactions or adverse effects. For more information on drug interactions, visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker.

It is important to always tell your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider of all prescription and over-the-counter medications you use, as well as the dosage for each, and keep a list of the information. Check with your doctor or health care provider if you have any questions about the medication.

• While buying infant formula, check label for content and make sure it is not expired.
• Make sure the container is sealed and in good condition. Do not buy it if there are any leaks, puffy ends, or rust spots.
• Before switching the formula brand, check with the pediatrician.
• All infant formulas legally sold in the U.S., whether made locally or imported from other countries must be reviewed by the FDA. Do not use illegally imported infant formulas.