Introduction
Breast milk is essential for the newborn, which the mother provides as it contains all the nutrients the newborn requires. Breast milk is an essential nutrient in the initial six months of infants. Lactoferrin is an essential protein usually present in breast milk, and it helps to maintain digestive health. Lactoferrin has many benefits for the infant's health. Read the article below to know more.
What Is Meant by Infant Formulas?
Sometimes, the mother will not be able to breastfeed the baby for various reasons. In such cases, infant formulas are provided to the baby. The aim of creating infant formulas is to create a substitute for breastmilk with almost the same composition and nutritional benefits. It is usually advised that the mother give breast milk to the newborn for at least the first six months, after which other food and substitutes can be given along with breastmilk. By feeding, proper growth can be seen in the baby.
Infant formulas are usually done with cow’s milk, and certain processes make it possible to include most of the nutrient composition of the breast milk in the formulated milk. The macronutrients’ composition is altered, whereas micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals are fortified. In some formulated milk, probiotics, fibers, and other nutrients are added. Once the infant formula has all the composition, it is concentrated and dehydrated as ready-to-use powder. The final step is performed to enhance the storage life of the product.
Does Infant Formula Get Adapted to the Babys Needs?
Infant formula or infant milk, which is produced only from cow’s or goat’s milk, can be provided to the newborn from the time of birth until any other foods are provided. The primary purpose of introducing formulated milk is to provide all the required nutrients to infants. This formulated milk is called ‘1st age milk.’ Once the baby is given supplemental foods, the baby should be provided with ‘ follow-on formulas’, the ‘2nd age milk.’ This is the phase where the babies start to diversify their food habits.
Finally, the ‘growing up milk’ will be provided to toddlers of ages one to three, along with the formulated milk. This milk will have a proper composition of vitamins, minerals, and proteins, which helps to prevent deficiencies and enhances neurological health. The growing-up milk is considered to be foodstuff and not infant formula.
What Is Meant by Lactoferrin?
Lactoferrin is an essential protein usually present in breast milk, which helps in the digestive system. It is also present in the milk of cows, goats, and other mammals. This protein has antibacterial and antiviral properties, which help absorb iron. Colostrum, which is the first form of breastmilk, is highly nutritious and has a higher content of lactoferrin. Lactoferrin is also seen in other body fluids such as saliva, nasal secretion, and tears.
What Are the Advantages of Lactoferrin?
Lactoferrin is a form of glycoprotein present in breast milk. It is one of the major proteins required by the baby as it has antimicrobial properties that bind to iron and prevent the development of bacteria. Hospitals use lactoferrin to prevent infection in preterm infants. Lactoferrin helps to boost the immune response by initiating the activity of White Blood Cells (WBC). WBC helps to prevent the body from any sort of infection.
Lactoferrin acts as an internal mediator and helps to maintain immune homeostasis. This protein also exhibits anti-inflammatory actions.
What Are the Benefits of Lactoferrin in the Infants?
At birth, the immune system of the baby functions appropriately as it has not encountered any pathogens, and so there will not be any immunological memories. Lactoferrin plays an important role in developing the infants' immune system by developing a natural defense in the small intestine. This protein is vital for this reason and helps to train the baby’s immune system and the body to fight pathogens.
The main benefits of lactoferrin are:
-
It helps in the maturation and maintenance of the digestive system.
-
It helps to develop the immune system and helps the body fight against pathogens.
Why Is Lactoferrin Added to the Infant Formula?
As lactoferrin acts as an important protein required to maintain the digestive health and the immune system of the newborn, lactoferrin is added to the infant formula. Lactoferrin is also present in cow’s milk from which infant formula is produced, but it is present in lesser quantities compared to breast milk. So, the lactoferrin in the infant formula will come from cows. There is no proof regarding how well lactoferrin works in the case of infant formula. Even though infant formula is safe and can be used as an alternative to breast milk, breast milk is superior to any alternative as it has all the required nutrients naturally and in proper balance.
What Are the Various Uses of Lactoferrin?
Lactoferrin is used in the development of the immune system. Other uses are:
-
It helps in treating sepsis in preterm infants.
-
Lactoferrin helps in vaginal birth.
-
It also helps to treat UTI (Urinary Tract Infection).
-
It also protects against chlamydia.
-
It helps to treat taste and smell alteration caused by chemotherapy.
What Are the Side Effects Caused by Lactoferrin?
Some very common side effects are:
-
Stomach pain.
-
Constipation.
-
Vomiting.
What Are the Precautions That Need to Be Taken While Taking Lactoferrin Supplements?
Lactoferrin is known to be safe to be taken by the baby and the mother when she is pregnant and during the lactation period. Lactoferrin needs to be consumed in recommended doses, or else there may be complications. It is always advisable to take lactoferrin after consulting a doctor and in recommended dosages. Taking higher doses more than recommended may end up in side effects.
Conclusion
Lactoferrin is an important protein that is seen in the breast milk composition. Lactoferrin helps to maintain digestive health. This is considered to be safe and can be given to newborns. As it is an important protein, it is added to the infant formulas. It also helps with the newborn immune system. Lactoferrin even though it is safe to be taken by newborns, consultation with a doctor is required.
