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Nutrients May 2016Mothers' own milk is the best source of nutrition for nearly all infants. Beyond somatic growth, breast milk as a biologic fluid has a variety of other benefits,... (Review)
Review
Mothers' own milk is the best source of nutrition for nearly all infants. Beyond somatic growth, breast milk as a biologic fluid has a variety of other benefits, including modulation of postnatal intestinal function, immune ontogeny, and brain development. Although breastfeeding is highly recommended, breastfeeding may not always be possible, suitable or solely adequate. Infant formula is an industrially produced substitute for infant consumption. Infant formula attempts to mimic the nutritional composition of breast milk as closely as possible, and is based on cow's milk or soymilk. A number of alternatives to cow's milk-based formula also exist. In this article, we review the nutritional information of breast milk and infant formulas for better understanding of the importance of breastfeeding and the uses of infant formula from birth to 12 months of age when a substitute form of nutrition is required.
Topics: Adult; Breast Feeding; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant Formula; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Infant, Newborn; Milk, Human
PubMed: 27187450
DOI: 10.3390/nu8050279 -
Nutrients Apr 2020Human breast milk is considered the optimum feeding regime for newborn infants due to its ability to provide complete nutrition and many bioactive health factors. Breast... (Review)
Review
Human breast milk is considered the optimum feeding regime for newborn infants due to its ability to provide complete nutrition and many bioactive health factors. Breast feeding is associated with improved infant health and immune development, less incidences of gastrointestinal disease and lower mortality rates than formula fed infants. As well as providing fundamental nutrients to the growing infant, breast milk is a source of commensal bacteria which further enhance infant health by preventing pathogen adhesion and promoting gut colonisation of beneficial microbes. While breast milk was initially considered a sterile fluid and microbes isolated were considered contaminants, it is now widely accepted that breast milk is home to its own unique microbiome. The origins of bacteria in breast milk have been subject to much debate, however, the possibility of an entero-mammary pathway allowing for transfer of microbes from maternal gut to the mammary gland is one potential pathway. Human milk derived strains can be regarded as potential probiotics; therefore, many studies have focused on isolating strains from milk for subsequent use in infant health and nutrition markets. This review aims to discuss mammary gland development in preparation for lactation as well as explore the microbial composition and origins of the human milk microbiota with a focus on probiotic development.
Topics: Breast Feeding; Female; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Infant; Infant Health; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Infant, Newborn; Male; Milk, Human; Probiotics
PubMed: 32283875
DOI: 10.3390/nu12041039 -
Nutrients Apr 2022It has long been demonstrated that nutrition in the first 1000 days of life can affect health outcomes later in life [...].
It has long been demonstrated that nutrition in the first 1000 days of life can affect health outcomes later in life [...].
Topics: Breast Feeding; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Nutritional Status
PubMed: 35565790
DOI: 10.3390/nu14091823 -
International Journal of Environmental... Oct 2020Nutritional challenges prior to and during gestation, lactation, and early life are known to influence the lifelong health of the infant. In this editorial, I briefly...
Nutritional challenges prior to and during gestation, lactation, and early life are known to influence the lifelong health of the infant. In this editorial, I briefly discuss the 13 articles published in this Special Issue, "Maternal and Early-Life Nutrition and Health". This Special Issue discusses topics including maternal nutrition behaviors, maternal overnutrition/obesity, maternal iron deficiency, breastfeeding, and others. This issue paves the way to better understand perinatal nutrition and how it can impact maternal and offspring health.
Topics: Adult; Breast Feeding; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Infant, Newborn; Lactation; Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Nutritional Status; Overnutrition; Pregnancy; Prenatal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
PubMed: 33143058
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17217982 -
International Journal of Environmental... Oct 2020The term complementary feeding is defined as the period in which a progressive reduction of breastfeeding or infant-formula feeding takes place, while the infant is... (Review)
Review
The term complementary feeding is defined as the period in which a progressive reduction of breastfeeding or infant-formula feeding takes place, while the infant is gradually introduced to solid foods. It is a crucial time in the infant's life, not only because of the rapid changes in nutritional requirements and the consequent impact on infant growth and development, but also for a generation of lifelong flavor preferences and dietary habits that will influence mid and long-term health. There is an increasing body of evidence addressing the pivotal role of nutrition, especially during the early stages of life, and its link to the onset of chronic non-communicable diseases, such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and allergic diseases. It is clear that the way in which a child is introduced to complementary foods may have effects on the individual's entire life. The aim of this review is to discuss the effects of complementary feeding timing, composition, and mode on mid and long-term health outcomes, in the light of the current evidence. Furthermore, we suggest practical tips for a healthy approach to complementary feeding, aiming at a healthy future, and highlight gaps to be filled.
Topics: Breast Feeding; Child Development; Feeding Behavior; Humans; Infant; Infant Food; Infant Formula; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Obesity; Outcome Assessment, Health Care
PubMed: 33137971
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17217931 -
Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology... Aug 2019Nutritional guidelines and requirements for late or moderately preterm (LMPT) infants are notably absent, although they represent the largest population of preterm...
Nutritional guidelines and requirements for late or moderately preterm (LMPT) infants are notably absent, although they represent the largest population of preterm infants. The European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) Committee on Nutrition (CoN) performed a review of the literature with the aim to provide guidance on how to feed infants born LMPT, and identify gaps in the literature and research priorities.Only limited data from controlled trials are available. Late preterm infants have unique, often unrecognized, vulnerabilities that predispose them to high rates of nutritionally related morbidity and hospital readmissions. They frequently have feeding difficulties that delay hospital discharge, and poorer rates of breastfeeding initiation and duration compared with term infants. This review also identified that moderately preterm infants frequently exhibit postnatal growth restriction.The ESPGHAN CoN strongly endorses breast milk as the preferred method of feeding LMPT infants and also emphasizes that mothers of LMPT infants should receive qualified, extended lactation support, and frequent follow-up. Individualized feeding plans should be promoted. Hospital discharge should be delayed until LMPT infants have a safe discharge plan that takes into account local situation and resources.In the LMPT population, the need for active nutritional support increases with lower gestational ages. There may be a role for enhanced nutritional support including the use of human milk fortifier, enriched formula, parenteral nutrition, and/or additional supplements, depending on factors, such as gestational age, birth weight, and significant comorbidities. Further research is needed to assess the benefits (improved nutrient intakes) versus risks (interruption of breast-feeding) of providing nutrient-enrichment to the LMPT infant.
Topics: Breast Feeding; Europe; Gestational Age; Humans; Infant Formula; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Nutritional Requirements; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Societies, Medical
PubMed: 31095091
DOI: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000002397 -
Deutsches Arzteblatt International Jun 2016Proper infant nutrition promotes healthy growth and development and lowers the risk of disease in later life. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Proper infant nutrition promotes healthy growth and development and lowers the risk of disease in later life.
METHODS
This review is based on pertinent articles retrieved by a selective search, including guidelines, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews.
RESULTS
Infants should be exclusively breast-fed until at least the age of 4 months. Infants who are no longer being breast-fed, or no longer exclusively so, should be given commercially available low-protein infant formula containing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Infants with a family history of allergy should be fed with infant formula based on hydrolyzed protein until complementary feeding begins. Complementary feeding should be initiated no earlier than the beginning of the 5th month and no later than the beginning of the 7th; it should include iron derived from meat, as well as fish once or twice a week. Later initiation of complementary feeding is associated with an increased risk of allergies and is not recommended. Ordinary cow's milk should not be drunk in the first year of life. All infants should be given 2 mg of vitamin K at birth, at 7-10 days, and at 4-6 weeks of age, as well as daily oral supplementation of vitamin D (400-500 IE) and fluoride (0.25 mg).
CONCLUSION
Physicians should advise families about healthful infant nutrition in order to lay the foundation for lifelong good health through a proper diet.
Topics: Animals; Breast Feeding; Evidence-Based Medicine; Female; Germany; Humans; Infant Formula; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Infant, Newborn; Male; Milk; Milk, Human; Practice Guidelines as Topic
PubMed: 27397020
DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2016.0435 -
Nutrients Jun 2020Nutrition of preterm infants has a crucial role in the promotion of organ's optimal growth and development [...].
Nutrition of preterm infants has a crucial role in the promotion of organ's optimal growth and development [...].
Topics: Humans; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Milk, Human; Nutritional Status; Nutritional Support
PubMed: 32580318
DOI: 10.3390/nu12061857 -
Archivos Argentinos de Pediatria Dec 2021Breast milk is the ideal food for infants and its benefits can be observed in the short and long term. In crisis situations, breastfeeding should be promoted the most...
Breast milk is the ideal food for infants and its benefits can be observed in the short and long term. In crisis situations, breastfeeding should be promoted the most because it is one of the most cost-effective interventions aimed at reducing infant morbidity and mortality. In addition to the multiple advantages of breast milk in the mother-child bond and biological and immune properties, the most relevant characteristic of breast milk is that it covers all nutritional needs. When breastfeeding is not possible, the World Health Organization recommends infant formula as the first option. The second option is diluted cow's milk, which entails the risk for nutritional deficiency that should be strictly monitored and timely resolved. When infants are fed with diluted cow's milk, they are mainly at risk for iron, zinc, vitamin A, D, C, and E, amino acid and essential fatty acid deficiency.
Topics: Animals; Breast Feeding; Cattle; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant Formula; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Milk Hypersensitivity; Milk, Human
PubMed: 34813237
DOI: 10.5546/aap.2021.eng.e582 -
NeuroImage Sep 2018Throughout early neurodevelopment, myelination helps provide the foundation for brain connectivity and supports the emergence of cognitive and behavioral functioning....
Throughout early neurodevelopment, myelination helps provide the foundation for brain connectivity and supports the emergence of cognitive and behavioral functioning. Early life nutrition is an important and modifiable factor that can shape myelination and, consequently, cognitive outcomes. Differences in the nutritional composition between human breast and formula milk may help explain the functional and cognitive disparity often observed between exclusively breast versus formula-fed children. However, past cognitive and brain imaging studies comparing breast and formula feeding are often: cross-sectional; performed in older children and adolescents relying on parental recall of infant feeding; and generally treat formula-fed children as a single group despite the variability between formula compositions. Here we address some of these weakness by examining longitudinal trajectories of brain and neurocognitive development in children who were exclusively breastfed versus formula-fed for at least 3 months. We further examine development between children who received different formula compositions. Results reveal significantly improved overall myelination in breastfed children accompanied by increased general, verbal, and non-verbal cognitive abilities compared to children who were exclusively formula-fed. These differences were found to persist into childhood even with groups matched for important socioeconomic and demographic factors. We also find significant developmental differences depending on formula composition received and that, in particular, long-chain fatty acids, iron, choline, sphingomyelin and folic acid are significantly associated with early myelination trajectories. These results add to the consensus that prolonged and exclusive breastfeeding plays an important role in early neurodevelopment and childhood cognitive outcomes.
Topics: Brain; Breast Feeding; Child; Child, Preschool; Cognition; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; Infant; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Longitudinal Studies; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Nerve Fibers, Myelinated; Neuroimaging
PubMed: 29277402
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.12.056