Pediatria pre prax 5/2020

The development in the composition of infant formulas with regard to the latest scientific findings

The early stages of life are a period of rapid growth and development. From the first day of pregnancy until 2 years of age, the so called “first 1,000 days”, nutrition has a key impact on optimal physical growth and body composition, cognitive development, immune maturation,development of the gastrointestinal system and development of healthy appropriate eating habits. Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for all infants and breastfeeding has numerous short- and long-term benefits for both, infants and mothers . Intense research on human milk and lactation over the last decades resulted into major innovations in infant formula. Nutricia’s new nutritional concept with the exklusive combination of the well-known mixture scGOS/lcFOS (9:1), HMO 2’-FL and 3’-GL comprises more than 100 oligosaccharide structures supporting immune system through gut via various modes of action. Together with specific postbiotics, this new concept most closely reflects complexity, diversity and functionality of human milk. Still, infant formula will always remain a compromis, breast milk will remain the best for children.

Keywords: infant formula, „first 1,000 days“, oligosaccharide, HMO, postbiotics