Why do babies need fats?
Fat is an essential macronutrient for infants, providing concentrated energy to support growth and development. It also supplies critical building blocks for brain and eye development, aids in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, and supports a range of other vital functions in the body.
Half of the calories in breast milk come from fat, and breast milk has a distinct fatty acid profile that provides the nutrients babies need to grow and develop. Breast milk contains essential fatty acids—critical fats that the body cannot produce on its own but needs to thrive. To meet babies’ nutritional needs, infant formulas use a blend of oils, milk fat, and other safe, research-backed fat sources. At Abbott, our nutrition scientists carefully study the composition of breast milk and evaluate the safety and effectiveness of various oils to craft optimal fat blends for our Similac formulas.
What kinds of fats are used in formula?
Infant formulas include added fats to provide energy and supply essential fatty acids that babies cannot make on their own.
Common baby formula ingredients that provide fat include:
- Vegetable and seed oils, such as, soybean oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, and coconut oil: Vegetable oils are derived from edible plants, while seed oils come from the seeds of plants like nuts, fruits, and vegetables. Though the health and safety of seed oils is under scrutiny in the media, they are used all around the globe in infant formulas because they are proven to be safe and provide the essential fatty acids needed for babies to grow. In Abbott formulas, vegetable and seed oils are blended to provide babies with the essential fatty acids needed for growth and development. We carefully choose oils that have been proven to be safe and effective for babies. For example, safflower, coconut, sunflower, and soy oils provide the right balance of fatty acids for growth and development. We intentionally exclude certain oils like palm olein oil because it has been shown to reduce absorption of certain nutrients.
- Milk fat: Milk fat can be found in formulas as an ingredient or in those that are made with whole milk. While some of the fat in these formulas come from whole milk, they are supplemented with vegetable and seed oils to meet the essential fatty acid needs of infants.
- DHA and ARA: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid, and arachidonic acid (ARA), an omega-6 fatty acid, are found naturally in breast milk and promote optimal brain and eye development in infants.
All of these baby formula ingredients provide unique benefits for growth and development for babies. This is why Abbott’s infant formulas contain a fat blend designed to meet your baby’s needs.
Why are seed oils used in infant formula, and are they safe?
Seed oils serve an important purpose in infant formula and contain two essential fatty acids that infants need – linoleic acid (Omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (Omega-3). Since the body can’t produce these fatty acids, they need to be obtained from the diet, hence the term ‘essential’. Seed oils rich in essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are used to help meet the needs of your growing baby, and support brain and eye development, as well as immune support.
Concern about inflammation from seed oils has been raised because of the omega-6 fatty acids in them. However, many studies (in adults) have shown that seed oils and the fatty acids in them are not pro-inflammatory. The fatty acid profiles of our infant formulas are designed to be similar to those in breast milk.
Seed oils like soybean oil, sunflower oil, and safflower oil are found in all infant formulas, including those manufactured in Europe. Seed oils are safe and are added to formulas in precise amounts to meet an infant’s nutritional needs.
Are formulas with “milk fat” or “whole milk” better or more natural?
In many ways, whole milk and skim milk infant formulas are more alike than they are different. Both types of infant formulas are designed to meet the same high standards established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the regulatory authority for infant nutrition, ensuring that your baby receives the nutrients they need. Both whole milk and skim milk infant formulas are often fortified with additional fats like DHA and ARA, which are known to support cognitive development.
The key difference lies in how the fats are sourced. It’s important to note that cow’s milk on its own does not provide the fatty acid profile babies need, so even whole milk formulas contain seed oils to ensure adequate omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid intake.
While milk fat may offer potential benefits, all U.S. infant formulas—whether they use vegetable oils, milk fat, or a combination of sources—are safe, provide complete nutrition, and support normal development.
Regulatory authorities ensure that every approved infant formula meets strict nutritional standards, regardless of the fat source.
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Fats play a critical role in infant growth, brain, and eye development, which is why they contribute roughly 50% of the calories in infant formula. All Abbott’s infant formulas are inspired by breast milk and carefully formulated to meet rigorous safety and nutrition standards.
Abbott remains at the forefront of nutrition science, continually innovating and refining its baby formula ingredients based on the latest research findings. With a blend of nutritious fats for babies, parents can feel confident that Abbott’s formulas deliver complete, balanced, and safe nutrition for your baby’s strong start.
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