Hypoallergenic Infant Formula
Hypoallergenic infant formula was formulated for infants who are either born into families that have a strong history of environmental and food allergies or those who display signs of intolerance to cow milk proteins. The reason behind the creation of this kind of an infant formula is to avoid any possible fatal repercussions that may come with severe allergic reactions to regular milk that these infants might experience.
A hypoallergenic infant formula is often made with cow’s milk and these are easier to digest than other infant formulas because the milk protein in these formulas have been broken into very small pieces or are essentially pre-digested. Most of these formulas are approximately twice as expensive, sometimes even three times more expensive, than regular infant formulas due how they are made. This is why it is only advisable for parents to give this kind of milk to their infant if and when it is truly necessary.
Research shows that if one of the infant’s parents is prone to allergies, the child’s chances of developing allergies to food and the environment stands at 10% and at 20% if both of the child’s parents have these problems with allergies. While it may be possible that a child won’t develop the same allergy problems that his or her parents have, they are at a higher risk of developing such allergies due to genetics.
Other reasons why a child is often given a hypoallergenic infant formula is because of the presence of blood in their stool. This often indicates that the infant is allergic to the protein found in cow’s milk. Once the child is made to switch to an infant formula that is made for those who are prone to allergies, this problem often disappears, usually in a period of five days to a week.
Other signs that also point to possible allergic reactions to cow’s milk and the need to give the baby a hypoallergenic infant formula are respiratory problems and outbreaks of eczema. These often indicate intolerance for milk proteins found in cow’s milk and children who show these symptoms should be given milk that is made for those who are prone to allergies.