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. View in browser Shaping the future health of babies Featured in this eNewsletter: Gut health in infants - 1 min video Helping babies grow appropriately: The role of protein SMA® PRO First Infant Milk: The evidence and benefits to babies Dear [*data('salutation') || 'Healthcare Professional' *], Gut health is a topic of interest in infant nutrition due to the link between the gut and the immune system,1,2 this month we are highlighting the effects of Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) on gut health in breast-fed infants. Following gut health, we discuss the role of protein on the obesity risk in infants and then show the evidence behind the improvements made to SMA® PRO First Infant milk. Kind regards, The SMA® Professional Team Gut health in infants - 1 min video HMOs are known to strengthen the gut barrier in breast fed infants, making the gut more resistant to pathogenic bacteria1-3. We have created a 1 minute video to describe it further. Find out more Helping babies grow appropriately: The role of protein The growth pattern of a breastfed infant is associated with improved health outcomes,4,5 and breastfed babies tend to grow slower than bottle-fed babies.6 This short article shows you what parents need to know about protein and its effect on growth. Download the infographic SMA® PRO First Infant Milk: The evidence and benefits to babies. To support parents in making an informed decision about the formula they feed their babies, here are some facts and the clinical evidence behind the improvements made to SMA® PRO First Infant Milk. Find out more ®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. References 1. Bode L. Human milk oligosaccharides: every baby needs a sugar mama. Glycobiology 2012; 22(9): 1147–62. 2. Jantscher-Krenn E, Bode L. Human milk oligosaccharides and their potential bene ts for the breast-fed neonate. Minerva Pediatr 2012; 64(1): 83–99. 3. Smilowitz JT, Lebrilla CB, Mills DA, et al. Breast milk oligosaccharides: structure-function relationships in the neonate. Annu Rev Nutr 2014; 34: 143–69. 4. WHO Multicentre Growth reference Study group Acta Paediatr Suppl 2006; 450: 71H15. 5. Baird J et al Being big or growing fast: systematic review of size and growth in infancy and later obesity BMJ 2008; 331: 929. 6. Kramer MS et al Feeding effects on growth during infancy J Pediatr 2004; 145:500–505. Contact SMA® Nutrition | Terms & conditions This email is intended for residents of the UK and ROI Unsubscribe ZTC5083/07/20