There are so many milk powder brands on the market, how to choose the right milk powder for infants and young children is not an easy task.
The Director-General of the Consumer Council, Huang Fengxian, dismantled the six major myths parents have when purchasing, pointing out that brand-name and expensive milk powder is not necessarily better, and there is no necessary relationship between price and quality, "The more expensive the better, the most important thing is nutrition. Enough”, reminding parents not to be attracted by advertisements when purchasing milk powder, but to understand its nutritional value.
She also pointed out that when buying, you should shop around and pay attention to the prices of different sales channels. Generally speaking, pharmacies are cheaper.
In addition, some parents are concerned about constipation when their infants switch brands of milk powder.
Huang Fengxian said that in general, when babies switch from breast milk to milk powder, or change milk powder brands, they may experience transient constipation during the adaptation period. Fruit to help defecation, it is not impossible to change the brand.
She also stressed that formula milk can never replace breast milk, and the Consumer Council has always advocated breastfeeding.
Consumer Council | The price of milk powder has risen by 60% in 10 years
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The Consumer Council has noticed in recent months that parents are not only concerned about the price of milk powder, but also discuss online the nutritional content of milk powder, whether it is safe and healthy for babies, etc.
Huang Fengxian integrates the six common myths that parents have when purchasing milk powder.
Myth 1: Brand-name baby milk powder has higher nutritional content and is healthier for babies?
mistake.
Huang Fengxian said that infant formula products must contain energy and 33 nutrients (ie "1+33") in accordance with the standards of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, and the relevant content must meet the level specified by the regulations.
She continued that, according to the previous test results of the Consumer Council, although there are differences in the relevant content of different milk powders, all of them meet the specified level range.
She stressed that as long as the milk powder meets the standard, it is enough.
Myth 2: The more expensive the milk powder, the better, the baby is naturally healthier and smarter?
mistake.
Huang Fengxian said that the price is not necessarily related to the quality of milk powder.
According to the previous test results, the most expensive milk powder is more than 500 yuan, and the cheapest is about 250 yuan, but the total score of the two is the same; on the contrary, the median price is about 300 yuan, and the highest score is obtained.
She also pointed out that when purchasing, you should shop around, as the prices of different sales channels are different, and pharmacies are cheaper than supermarkets and personal supply stores.
Myth 3: The more nutrients in milk powder, the better. The better the foundation, the healthier it is?
mistake.
Huang Fengxian said that the most important thing is to have enough nutrients. Babies should have a balanced intake of nutrients, not just a certain category. If they take too much of a certain category of nutrients, "it may actually hurt your BB", because their internal organs are still immature, or they may be damaged. Affect the kidneys, causing dehydration, belly fat, and even brain damage.
"Don't over-provision one nutrient while neglecting another," she stressed.
Myth 4: Choosing the wrong baby formula, the baby may be hot and constipated at any time?
Huang Fengxian said that babies younger than 6 months are less likely to have the above situation, but after switching from breast milk to milk powder, or switching milk powder brands, they may experience transient constipation during the adaptation period.
She explained that constipation is related to the protein composition of milk powder, and milk powder and breast milk are always different, so constipation may occur when switching to use.
She said that as long as you are 6 months old, you can improve your constipation by using more water and eating more fruits and vegetables.
In addition, do not use too little water when flushing, as enough water will help the baby to defecate.
Consumer Council's shopping guide for milk powder (Photo by Consumer Council)
Myth 5: Don’t change the brand after choosing the right milk powder, otherwise it will affect the baby’s absorption of nutrients?
mistake.
Huang Fengxian pointed out that although there is an adaptation period in the gastrointestinal tract, it will always adapt slowly, and you can gradually change the brand.
She reminded that when changing brands, you should pay attention to the frequency, texture, and color of the baby's stool, and pay attention to whether there is any change, because the added ingredients of different brands are different, which will cause the stool to be different, but it is normal.
She emphasized that if the baby has discomfort after taking it, or has abnormal conditions, including persistent constipation and sensitive skin, they should seek medical advice as soon as possible.
Myth 6: Can a formula that mimics the main ingredients of breast milk replace breast milk?
cannot be replaced.
Huang Fengxian pointed out that breast milk is the best natural food. All milk powders are formulated only according to breast milk, but there are always differences and cannot be replaced. The Consumer Council has always advocated the consumption of breast milk.
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