The Power of Human Milk Oligosaccharides

Over 150 different HMOs are found in breast milk and 2′-FL HMO (2′-fucosyllactose) is the most abundant HMO in most mothers’ milk. In 2016, Abbott researchers compared markers of immune response among exclusively breastfed babies compared to babies who were exclusively fed formula with and without a structurally identical version of the 2′-FL HMO found in breast milk.

Researchers discovered that after 6 weeks, babies fed infant formula with 2′-FL HMO had some markers of immune response more like breastfed babies, compared to babies fed a formula without 2′-FL. 2′-FL HMO helps to close multiple gaps in markers of immune function between formula fed and breastfed babies.*

"These groundbreaking results found babies who were fed infant formula supplemented with 2′-FL HMO had an immune response more like breastfed babies," Buck explained.

Since then, Abbott added four additional HMOs — structurally identical to those in breast milk — to its formula. Similac^® 360 Total Care^® has an exclusive blend of five HMO** prebiotics: 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL), 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), 3′-sialyllactose (3′-SL) and 6′-sialyllactose (6′-SL). This is our closest prebiotic blend to that of breast milk.

Options for Your Baby

While breast milk is optimal, moms who cannot or choose not to breastfeed, or those who need to supplement, can consider an infant formula with five HMOs. It’s one of our groundbreaking steps toward narrowing the gap between breast milk and formula.

"We want to give parents choices so they can choose what feeding plan is best for them and their baby," Buck said.

* as measured in blood samples in a clinical study.
** not from human milk.

Article originally published April 14, 2023; updated Dec. 23, 2024.