Shaping the future health of babies To ensure future mailings from SMA® Professional reach your mailbox, add smaprofessional@smaprofessional.msgfocus.com to your safe sender list. Email not displaying properly? Click here to view in browser     Dear Healthcare Professional, Welcome to the February edition of our eNewsletter, aimed to keep you updated with the latest news in infant nutrition. This month we'll be focusing on the importance of protein during the first 1000 days. We will also be introducing our new screw cap format for some of the products in our range. Kind regards, The SMA® Professional Team     Protein – What is it and why do infants need it?     Protein is one of the most important nutrients for growth. The optimal rate of growth in infancy is that of a breastfed infant1. One factor that contributes to appropriate growth is the right nutrition, including protein in the right quantity and quality throughout the first 1000 days. Excessive protein intake during the early years may result in accelerated growth. This accelerated growth is associated with negative long-term health outcomes such as increased risk of obesity2. The nutrition choices that families make during the first 1000 days can have an influence on an infant's long-term health.       Protein for infants and young children   Recent reports have shown rising trends in the prevalence of obesity, which may be linked to excessive protein intake in early life3,4. A descriptive analysis of the Diet and Nutrition Survey of Infants and Young Children (DNSIYC) has shown that mean protein intakes were 70% and 150% higher than the RNI (Reference Nutrient Intake) at 6 to < 12 months, and 12 to 18 months respectively5. Major sources of protein were formula milks, cows' milk and other dairy products. With protein contribution from cows' milk rising from 6% at 6 to 12 months to 25% at 12-18 months, this analysis also suggests that the possible implications of this large increase in animal protein intake should be considered6.       Introducing SMA® Nutrition's new screw cap range     SMA® PRO First Infant Milk, SMA® PRO Follow-on Milk and SMA® Extra Hungry Infant Milk 200ml cartons are now available with a screw cap lid   New format, same formula. No recipe changes have been made to products   This change has been made based on customer feedback to improve convenience   Available in stores from February 2018         SMA Lactose Free availability Last month we informed you of a 2 week out of stock issue with SMA LF 430g. We are pleased to confirm that this has now been resolved and the product is now available again. If you are experiencing any trouble getting hold of the SMA LF or would like any further advice on any of our products, please contact our Careline on UK 0800 081 8180 or ROI 1800 931 832, via live chat (9am to 5pm) or via e-mail on UK https://www.smababy.co.uk/sma-careline/     ® Registered Trademark. IMPORTANT NOTICE: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended that pregnant women and new mothers be informed on the benefits and superiority of breastfeeding – in particular the fact that it provides the best nutrition and protection from illness for babies. Mothers should be given guidance on the preparation for, and maintenance of, lactation, with special emphasis on the importance of a well-balanced diet both during pregnancy and after delivery. Unnecessary introduction of partial bottle-feeding or other foods and drinks should be discouraged since it will have a negative effect on breastfeeding. Similarly, mothers should be warned of the difficulty of reversing a decision not to breastfeed. Before advising a mother to use an infant formula, she should be advised of the social and financial implications of her decision: for example, if a baby is exclusively bottle-fed, more than one can (400 g) per week will be needed, so the family circumstances and costs should be kept in mind. Mothers should be reminded that breast milk is not only the best, but also the most economical food for babies. If a decision to use an infant formula is taken, it is important to give instructions on correct preparation methods, emphasising that unboiled water, unsterilised bottles or incorrect dilution can all lead to illness. • SMA® PRO Follow-on Milk is only suitable for babies over 6 months as part of a mixed diet. It should not be used as a substitute for breast milk during the first 6 months of life. The decision to start weaning or to use this product before 6 months, should be made only on the advice of a doctor, midwife, health visitor, public health nurse, dietitian or pharmacist, based on baby's individual needs. This product must be used under medical supervision/The following products must be used under medical supervision. • SMA LF® is a lactose-free milk based formula for the dietary management of babies and young children who are intolerant to lactose or sucrose, or who are experiencing symptoms such as diarrhoea, tummy ache or wind caused by temporary lactose intolerance. It is suitable as the sole source of nutrition up to 6 months of age, and in conjunction with solid food up to 18 months of age. SMA LF® is not suitable for those who are allergic to cows' milk protein, or who suffer from galactosaemia or require a galactose free diet. References: 1. WHO Multicentre Growth reference study Group. (2006). Acta Paediatrica, 450, 76–85. 2. Singhal, A. & Lucas A. (2004). Early origins of cardiovascular disease: is there a unifying hypothesis? The Lancet, 363, 1642–5. 3. Public Health England (2013) National Child Measurement Programme. Available here. (Accessed January 2018). 4. Gunther, A.L., Remer, T., Kroke, A. et al. (2007). Early protein intake and later obesity risk: Which protein sources at which time point throughout infancy and childhood are important for body mass index and body fat percentage at 7y of age? American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 86, 1765 – 1772.5. Lennox, A., Sommerville, J., Ong, K. et al. (2013). Diet and Nutrition Survey of Infants and Young Children 2011. Available here (Accessed January 2018) 6. Sidnell, A., & Long, R. (2017) Protein intakes and sources in diets of infants and young children aged 6–18 months in the United Kingdom. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 76(OCE4).     To ensure future mailings from SMA® Professional reach your mailbox, add smaprofessional@smaprofessional.msgfocus.com to your safe sender list. Contact SMA® Nutrition | Terms & conditions This email is intended for residents of the UK Unsubscribe   ZTC2963/02/18