The ideal situation is for the baby to be fully breastfed for the first six months of life, and then complementary feeding with a basic milk diet is introduced until one year of age. For certain reasons, the mother cannot always breastfeed, and then the baby has to be switched to baby formula. Determining which one is best for a baby’s diet is a difficult task, especially how to choose the correct hypoallergenic formula for allergic newborns and babies who are prone to food allergies.
If mommy can’t continue breastfeeding, you need to find the right formula for your baby. But still, some formula-fed babies can have allergic reactions to cow’s milk, which is the basis of most baby formula.
What are the signs of allergies in babies?
Many new moms wonder how allergies manifest themselves in children. Once the allergen enters thenewbo baby’s immature body, the allergic reaction immediately begins to give alarm signals.
The way in which infant allergies manifest themselves depends on their causative agent. Usually, food allergy first affects the baby’s skin, and allergic reaction to dust – leads to the development of respiratory problems in the baby. Parents should keep a close eye on their child because allergy symptoms in infants are not always obvious, or they may indirectly indicate the disease.
The 5 most common symptoms of allergies in children are:
- skin itching;
- rash;
- diarrhea;
- atypical runny nose;
- sore throat;
Allergies in a baby can also be severe – have a manifestation of anaphylactic shock – a dangerous reaction in which the child has difficulty breathing, his face and lips turn pale, and the child may lose consciousness. In such a case, allergy treatment in children must be carried out immediately.
Why does the baby need HA formula?
Newborn babies, especially in the first months, are prone to allergies and eating disorders. If the baby is on mixed or formula feeding, there is a high chance that the formula causes the allergy. And that is when the hypoallergenic baby formula is needed.
When choosing a suitable hypoallergenic baby food, the first thing to remember is that the baby should get all the necessary nutrients from the food. Therefore, it is vital to determine which substances are poorly tolerated by the baby’s body.
Repeated mistakes in the selection of ready-made supplements can lead to more acute manifestations of allergy or the disease’s transition to the chronic phase. To avoid this, at the first signs of the disease, you must urgently contact your pediatrician, who will prescribe treatment and recommend the most appropriate version of feeding.
Babies need special care for the digestive system, which can not be called fully mature in the first months of life. It is not yet ready for serious tests, so the mother should choose the gentlest possible food for her baby.
Baby food contains the necessary vitamins and minerals to support children’s immunity, and the main thing is to be careful when choosing it. It is better not to take risks and give preference to hypoallergenic baby formula.
The minimum content of allergens characterizes these products. Such feeding began to be used in the second half of the 20th century for the first time. Such food is based on a protein that has undergone hydrolysis, during which valuable amino acids and peptides are released.
How to choose a hypoallergenic formula:
- At the first signs of allergy, you should visit your doctor, who will be able to determine which substances your baby has an adverse reaction to and choose the right formula based on this;
- Choose a formula that is suitable for the age of the child. You will find a label on the package. Take “0” or “Pre” for premature and low-birth-weight babies. For newborns and infants up to six months, “1” is fine; for babies between 6 and 12 months old, “2”, and for a one-year-old baby and above “3”. Some brands produce special baby milk to replace cow’s milk for children from 1.5 years of age marked with the number “4”;
- Hypoallergenic formulas are always marked with “HA” on the package;
- Prebiotics and probiotics, dietary fiber, iodine, and sufficient folic acid are desirable.
It is impossible to say which formula is best. Each baby is characterized by individual development and perception. Some babies eat the formula without problems, while others have allergies or colics to the same product. When choosing, take into account the reviews of other parents, but in the first place, be guided by your pediatrician’s recommendations, taking into account the peculiarities of your child’s development and health.
