Proprietary milk formulae and Preparation of Milk

Proprietary milk formulae:

There are a variety of milk formulas artificially prepared for infant feeding. Most of them are based on cows milk, with modifications to bring more close to the breast-milk composition.

The fats are modified by substituting vegetable fats such as combination of soya, coconut or corn oil, which forms polyunsaturated fatty acids to increase absorption.

The protein is derived from cow milk but altered so that lacto albumin to casein ratio is closer to the human milk. The carbohydrates used are lactose, dextrin-maltose or simple corn sugar. Minerals and vitamins are with the level close to the human milk.

Specialized Formulae:

There are many types of formula available for the babies who are allergic to cow milk, who are unable to tolerate lactose or who have mal-absorption syndromes. Soya-based formulas provide proteins derived from Soya protein isolate.

Carbohydrate is sucrose or corn syrup solid and with fat derived from vegetable oil. The milk formulas are combined with water to produce the appropriate caloric value. The dilution of the most of the formulas is two parts of formula to three parts of water during neonatal period.

Preparation of milk formula for feeding:

1.     Hands must be washed carefully.

2.     The container should be opened with the clean opener.

3.     The correct amount of milk powder should be measured and mixed with the sterilized warm water (dilute according to instructions).

Low socioeconomic status, where community sanitation is poor and water supply is potentially contaminated, and where a consumer is not accustomed to mixing and preparing processed formula, mothers may not be able to afford its continuous use and may over dilute .it with water that is unsafe for the body. In such cases, use of formula must be discouraged.