home pageThe benefits of the Milupa Aptamil range
Table of Contents
- The protective nutrients in breastmilk
- Developing Brain, Eyes and Nervous System:
- Iron helps brain development
- 2 types of protein in breastmilk
The protective nutrients in breastmilk
Did you know that an unborn baby's intestine is actually sterile until it's exposed to good and potentially harmful bacteria during birth? And it's these good bacteria, which play a vital role in helping in the development of your newborn's immune system. It's been found that babies who are breastfed have a very high level of good bacteria (i.e. bifidobacteria) in their large intestine.
It is well known that breastmilk plays an important role in supporting your baby's immunity. It contains a combination of protective factors including antibodies and prebiotics, helping to protect them from illnesses such as stomach upsets and ear infections. Breastmilk may also offer further protection from developing asthma in childhood.
The prebiotics found naturally in breast milk are special nutrients that act as a food source and encourage the growth of good bacteria in the digestive system. A healthy level of these good bacteria helps to fight off potentially harmful ones, thereby supporting a baby's natural defences. They also contribute to healthy digestion, making your baby's stools softer and easier to pass.
Aptamil have been researching prebiotics for many years and are continuing to explore what other potential benefits they may confer. Because there are high levels of prebiotics naturally provided, Milupa Aptamil have added these special ingredients to Aptamil Follow-on milk. The Aptamil Follow-on patented mix of prebiotic oligosaccharides is known as ''Immunofortis'' which supports baby's immune system.
Developing Brain, Eyes and Nervous System:-
Breastmilk is also rich in Long Chain Polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPs). These omega fats are scientifically proven to help the development of baby's brain, eyes and nervous system. During pregnancy, your baby receives LCPs through your placenta. You can boost your levels by eating the right types of food. Once born, your body ensures a healthy supply is included in your milk.
The two main LCPs found in breast milk are known as Arachidonic Acid (AA) and Docosahexanoic Acid (DHA).
Scientific evidence has shown that babies who are breastfed, or fed a formula which contains these essential fats have better visual development and problem-solving skills when they're older. Another health benefit of LCPs, is their ability to lower blood pressure in childhood. This may well reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke in later life. Bottle fed babies are also able to benefit from LCPs. Milupa Aptamil leads the way in infant nutrition by being the first company to add 2 LCPs (AA and DHA) to their formula milks in amounts recommended by leading nutritional experts.
Iron helps brain development
Iron is an important nutrient which is involved in many functions within the body including brain development. It is an essential part of haemoglobin in the body; this is a red pigment in our blood that allows it to carry the oxygen around the body for energy and growth.
Babies are born with enough Iron to last them for approximately six months. The iron content in breastmilk is very well absorbed*. From 6 months onwards, they need to start building up their iron stores again, so it is essential to ensure your baby's diet is high in Iron by using dietary rich sources of iron such as red meat, eggs and dark green leafy vegetables. Iron fortified milks and cereals play a significant role to complement the infant and toddler diet. Milupa cereals are enriched with iron - which is particularly important for healthy brain growth and helping to improve concentration.
*Iron absorption refers to the amount of dietary iron that the body obtains from food. When the body has low amounts of iron stored and needs to build these stores back up again, it will simply absorb more iron from the foods you eat.
How does Vitamin C work?
Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, can help to enhance the absorption of iron from non meat iron sources. A good source of Vitamin C is important for immune function and wound healing.
Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin. As humans cannot store Vitamin C, the body soon depletes itself if fresh supplies are not consumed. A deficiency of vitamin C leads to a disease known as scurvy.
There are lots of foods that are rich in vitamin C and include the citrus fruits, like oranges, berries, tomatoes, kiwi and vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, red peppers. The Milupa range of cereals are a great source of Vitamin C to help your baby absorb iron.
How does calcium work?
Calcium is important for the development of strong healthy bones and teeth.
The best sources of dietary calcium that are available include dairy products like milk, cheese, yoghurts. Other good sources include dark green leafy vegetables, tinned fish. The Milupa range of cereals are a source of calcium helping babies to grow strong and healthy bones.
Vitamin D helps the body to absorb calcium more efficiently. The most important source of vitamin D is sunlight. As this is not always possible, other good food sources include oily fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel. Small amount of vitamin D are found in cheese and egg yolks. Aptamil Follow-on and Aptamil Growing Up Milks are fortified with vitamin D.
2 types of protein in breastmilk
Whey and casein are two types of protein that naturally occur in milk. Breastmilk contains a whey to casein ratio of 60:40.
Whey forms a soft curd in the stomach that's similar in consistency to yogurt. This is easy for the stomach to digest.
Casein forms a firmer curd in the stomach, which can be likened to cottage cheese. This is digested more slowly and results in slower gastric emptying.
The Milupa Aptamil range offers a choice of infant milks to suit your baby's individual needs and protein requirements. Milupa Aptamil First is whey based. It can be given from birth to 12 months and is suitable if you're moving on from breastfeeding or want to complement to breastfeeding. Milupa Aptamil Extra Hungry is a nutritionally complete casein dominant infant formula especially for hungrier babies. It's also suitable from birth until twelve months.
