Baby formula milk brands contain a variety of nutrients. They have numerous ingredients including vitamins and minerals that make them healthy, complete, and filling drinks and food for infants.
But aside from the typical vitamins and minerals most formulas contain, there are some more important nutrients you have to look for in the brand you have to get for your baby. These nutrients you have to look for in the best formula milk for brain development include:
Iron
Most vitamins and minerals found in milk formulas for babies such as zinc, copper, iodine, selenium, vitamin A, choline, and folate are all important for brain development. They usually come in small amounts – enough for babies. Iron, however, have to come in higher quantities.
Iron is crucial for helping infants avoid anaemia. In a previous study, it was reported that kids who suffered from anaemia during their early years performed poorly on cognitive tests and had a harder time catching up when they entered school. As such, a good infant formula milk brand should contain the recommended dietary allowance of iron for babies.
DHA and ARA
But aside from the typical vitamins and minerals most formulas contain, there are some more important nutrients you have to look for in the brand you have to get for your baby. These nutrients you have to look for in the best formula milk for brain development include:
Iron
Most vitamins and minerals found in milk formulas for babies such as zinc, copper, iodine, selenium, vitamin A, choline, and folate are all important for brain development. They usually come in small amounts – enough for babies. Iron, however, have to come in higher quantities.
Iron is crucial for helping infants avoid anaemia. In a previous study, it was reported that kids who suffered from anaemia during their early years performed poorly on cognitive tests and had a harder time catching up when they entered school. As such, a good infant formula milk brand should contain the recommended dietary allowance of iron for babies.
DHA and ARA
Docosahexaenoic acid, more popularly known as DHA, is a fatty acid that plays an important role in many processes in the body and is especially used in high amounts for infant eye and brain development. DHA belongs to the group of long chain omega 3 fatty acids.
Arachidonic acid or ARA is also a fatty acid that is involved in the production of many different signals in the body and plays a role in regulating inflammation. ARA is one of the long chain omega 6 fatty acids.
Protein
A baby’s developing brain needs protein, or more specifically amino acids, to make neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters enable the brain cells to communicate with each other. The amino acid tryptophan, for instance, makes the neurotransmitter serotonin which helps your baby sleep. Tyrosine, on the other hand, makes norepinephrine which helps your child stay alert. On average, infants need 9 to 11 grammes of protein daily while toddlers need 13 grammes of protein every day.
Calories
Lastly, in a study conducted in 2008 in India, it was found out that malnourished children suffer cognitive developmental delays. The children in this study had poor memory and lower IQs, poor motor skill, language, visual and social development. This study highlighted the importance of kids getting the right amount of calories they need daily. This is because calories provide your baby’s brain with the energy it needs to function properly. To ensure your baby gets enough calories per day, always feed him or her on demand.
About the Author:
Daisy Foster is a nutritionist who frequently works with paediatricians. She recommends reading more about the best formula milk for brain development on Simi Mama Arabia’s website.
Arachidonic acid or ARA is also a fatty acid that is involved in the production of many different signals in the body and plays a role in regulating inflammation. ARA is one of the long chain omega 6 fatty acids.
Protein
A baby’s developing brain needs protein, or more specifically amino acids, to make neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters enable the brain cells to communicate with each other. The amino acid tryptophan, for instance, makes the neurotransmitter serotonin which helps your baby sleep. Tyrosine, on the other hand, makes norepinephrine which helps your child stay alert. On average, infants need 9 to 11 grammes of protein daily while toddlers need 13 grammes of protein every day.
Calories
Lastly, in a study conducted in 2008 in India, it was found out that malnourished children suffer cognitive developmental delays. The children in this study had poor memory and lower IQs, poor motor skill, language, visual and social development. This study highlighted the importance of kids getting the right amount of calories they need daily. This is because calories provide your baby’s brain with the energy it needs to function properly. To ensure your baby gets enough calories per day, always feed him or her on demand.
About the Author:
Daisy Foster is a nutritionist who frequently works with paediatricians. She recommends reading more about the best formula milk for brain development on Simi Mama Arabia’s website.
