Hungry Babies
There are 2 different categories of milk:
Whey based and Casein based.
If a mother chooses to bottle feed or partially breastfeed her baby, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland recommend that a whey based protein formula is the preferable choice as it reflects the protein content in breastmilk.
Newborns should be fed whenever they show signs of hunger such as increased alertness, mouthing or rooting, feeding eight to twelve times in 24 hours. Crying is the late stage in the development of hunger1
As long as an infant remains satisfied on a whey based formula it is recommended not to move onto casein based milk. However, there are certain circumstances where it is preferable to move onto casein based milks if infants are at the risk of being introduced to solids too early.
Research has shown that 23% of Irish infants were weaned onto solid food before the age of 12 weeks2. Parents may wean infants too early if they feel their baby is hungry and a whey based formula is no longer satisfying their babies hunger.
When to use a casein dominant formula?
First increase frequency and volume of the whey based formula3 (Cow&Gate first infant milk)
However, if an infant still continues to appear hungry introducing a casein dominant formula is preferable to weaning infants too early3. By introducing casein dominant milk (Cow&Gate for hungrier babies) this may help to alleviate the early introduction of solids.
How to define a hungry baby?
Case Study 1 |
Baby Sarah is 3 weeks old and weighs 8 pounds |
Q: She takes 3 ounces of Cow&Gate first infant milk (whey dominant milk) 5-6 times within a 24 hour period. Parent enquired if she should move her baby onto a hungrier baby feed (casein dominant milk) |
A: No Sarah is drinking appropriate amounts for her age and weight. If she is not satisfied after a milk feed, increase the frequency and volume of Cow&Gate first infant milk |
Case Study 2 |
Baby Ben is 8 weeks old and weighs 13 pounds |
Q: He takes 7 ounces of Cow&Gate first infant milk (whey dominant milk) 6 times within a 24 hour period and does not appear satisfied after a milk feed and is waking up at night. Parent enquired if she should put rice into her baby's bottle to help satisfy him? |
A: Ben is taking a high volume of whey based feed. As solids are not recommended to be introduced before 4-6 months it would be advisable to move him to a casein dominant formula such as Cow&Gate infant milk for hungrier babies. It facilitates slower digestion which may help delay theearly introduction of solids. |
Benefits of casein dominant milk
- Casein dominant milks slow down gastric emptying resulting in a fuller stomach for longer4
- May help delay the early introduction of solids
|
Cow&Gate 2 for hungrier babies
Cow&Gate for hungrier babies is a Casein based milk suitable for the hungrier bottle fed baby. Although it has a similar calorie content to whey based milk (C&G first infant milk) the larger casein protein fraction is more slowly digested than whey and takes longer to leave the stomach, so the baby may feel fuller for longer4
Cow&Gate 2 for hungrier babies contains Cow&Gate's Prebiotic Oligosaccharides clinically proven to reduce chest infections, antibiotic use, ear infections and eczema.5,6 It is also clinically proven to increase gut transit time which facilitates bowel function and has proven softer stools compared to infants fed a formula without prebiotic oligosaccharides7,8.
It has a good calcium: phosphorous ratio to support healthy development of bones and teeth9.
To view the Cow&Gate Hungrier Babies Datacard login or register here.
References
1. Food Safety Authority of Ireland, recommendations for a national feeding policy.(FSAI 1999)
2. Tarrant et al., Determinants of early introduction to solid foods in a sample of healthy term infants. Proc Nut Soc. 2007; AOC 54A.
3. Bleakney G, Infant Feeding Guidelines. Department of public health, Medicine and Nursing. EHSSB March 2006.
4. Dunne; Farrell; Kelly, 2008
5. Arslanoglu S et al., J Nutr 2007; 137: 2420-24
6. Arslanoglu S et al., J Nutr 2008; 138: 1091-5
7. Moro G et al., J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2002; 34: 291-295
8. Mihatsch WA et al., Acta Paediatr 2006; 95(7): 843-8
9. Specker BL et al., Pediatrics 1997; 99: e12