PREGNANCY & CHILDHOOD

How Human Milk Oligosaccharides Benefit Babies

Human Milk Oligosaccharides Help Babies Developing Immune System

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Human milk oligosaccharides are special prebiotics that can nourish your baby's immune system.

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MAY. 25, 2018  2 MIN. READ
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Human milk oligosaccharides*, otherwise known as HMOs, are a very special type of prebiotic found in mothers' breast milk. In fact, they are the largest solid component of breast milk after carbohydrates and fat.

However, until very recently it was not widely understood exactly how these prebiotics benefit babies and why it's important for them to be in a baby's diet.

Breakthrough research by Abbott shows that a specific HMO, 2'-FL or 2'-Fucosyllactose, can provide health benefits to a growing baby and plays a role in supporting the development of a strong immune system. Abbott was the first company in the world to include this important ingredient in infant formula with the introduction of Similac® Pro-Advance and Pro-Sensitive with 2'-FL HMO formula, bringing about one of the biggest advances in infant nutrition in the last decade.

Read on to learn more about these gut-nourishing prebiotics and why you'll want to make sure your baby is getting them.

Probiotic and Prebiotic Basics

About 70 percent of the immune system resides in the gut, so it's crucial to give your baby the building blocks they need from the start. Probiotics, also known as beneficial bacteria, are live microorganisms located in the intestinal tract. Prebiotics are not bacteria, but they provide the food source that probiotics need to survive.

There are more than 150 different types of HMOs, and the most abundant one in most mothers' milk is 2'-FL — and now, it has been added to Abbott's Similac formula. 2'-FL HMO is a prebiotic that feeds the beneficial bacteria in a baby's gut helping them to flourish and to support immune system development.

Developing a Healthy Digestive Tract

The digestive tract is formed during the third trimester of pregnancy and continues to develop for up to a year after birth. Certain nutrients can impact how the gut develops during this important time.

Breast milk is the gold standard of nutrition for babies, but if you can't or choose not to breastfeed, Similac with 2'-FL HMO can help your child's developing immune system. The HMOs and nucleotides (an essential building block in the body) found in breast milk and Similac formula support a baby's digestive system and help strengthen their immune system.

Modeling After Mother Nature

Research is showing that HMOs are a key ingredient for infants. Rachael Buck, a research scientist and immune expert at Abbott, has studied the components of breast milk for more than 20 years.

"By harnessing the unique qualities of 2'FL HMO in Similac formula we can support babies' developing digestive and immune systems and give them a benefit once only available to breastfed babies," says Buck.

Nothing can replace breast milk, but for moms who cannot or choose not to breastfeed, or those who need to supplement, an infant formula with 2'-FL HMO is one step closer to closing the gap.

"We want to give parents choices and ensure that formula babies have the strongest possible start in life," Buck says.

*not from human milk

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Cuddling with your infant is the best, and not just because of their soft skin and sweet smell, but also because of how beneficial it is for their bonding, growth and development.

And much like how snuggling, talking and playing with your little one — things you'll love doing anyway — do wonders for stimulating your child intellectually, it can also help you learn important cues and habits.

7 Important Things to Do When Formula Feeding

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Once you've decided that formula feeding is in your postpartum plan, you might be overwhelmed with the variety of options. Given the number of formulas available, it's difficult to know which to choose. Additionally, learning the dos and don'ts of preparing formula for your baby can be a challenging postpartum task in and of itself. Here's how to decide which formula is right for your baby and how to feed your infant safely.

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