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Date: | Sat, 30 Jul 2005 12:48:53 -0700 |
Content-Type: | text/plain |
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I would NOT use infant formula with infant cereal for breastfed babies.
The proteins in regular infant formula are NOT modified to any
appreciable extent, and would pose an unreasonable risk of allergy for a
six- to ten-month-old infant who has not yet been exposed to cow's milk.
Babies do not benefit from cow's milk, cow's milk-based formula or
soy-based formula when breastfeeding is going well.
Use of formula decreases total nutrient density of the diet to the
extent it replaces breastmilk. Water, having no calories, would be a
better wetting agent for infant cereal if expressed human milk were
unavailable.
It makes no sense to add unnecessary risk with no expectation of
benefit.
Babies do not need animal milk as yogurt, either. Breastmilk contains
bifidus factor and babies' guts are already well-colonized with friendly
bacteria simply by breastfeeding. After temporary illness, breastmilk
supports replacement of any friendly bacteria lost through either
diarrhea or antibiotic use.
Animal milk is not a nutritious supplement for breastfed babies, unless
the amount of breastmilk taken is inadequate. If breastfeeding is going
well, use of infant formula subtracts nutrition and immunologic
protection from the diet.
Baby cereal is not particularly nutritious either, but it's not meant to
be. It is a carrier for an iron supplement and a way to test babies'
readiness for solids with a relatively low allergenic solid at
approximately six months of age. It is low calorie, low nutrient
density, and not meant to replace breastmilk, but only a minor
supplement. Baby cereal is not required, but may be useful in certain
situations.
Arly Helm, MS, Nutrition and Food Sciences; IBCLC
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