What is infant formula or ‘Baby food’? Infant formula, also known as ‘Baby Food’, is an artificial substitute for human breast milk. Formulas are designed for infant consumption and are usually based on cow’s milk.
Substitutes or complements to breast milk are as old as mankind. Indeed, when no or insufficient human milk was available, substitutes for human milk were used. The lactose and milk proteins are in specific formulations replaced partly or 100 % by other carbohydrates and soy proteins.
Animal milk - usually cow's milk - with the addition of 20 % sucrose on dry matter has often been reported as the replacement. Breastfeeding is, however, internationally recognised as the ideal form of infant feeding with multiple benefits associated with breastfeeding for child health.
If a decision to use an infant formula is taken, it is important to give instructions on correct preparation methods, emphasizing that un-boiled water, un-sterilized bottles, incorrect dilution and in-appropriate storage after reconstitution can lead to malnutrition and illness.
What does infant formula / baby foods consist of?
The basic composition of any infant formula consists of:
• Proteins
• Lipids
• Minerals
ingredients, evaporation and spray drying.
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