Latest news with #infantnutrition
Telegraph
7 hours ago
- Health
- Telegraph
Don't feed babies ready-made pouches, NHS tells parents
The NHS is telling parents not to feed babies ready-made food pouches. New health service guidance warns mothers and fathers that newborns should only be fed processed, store-bought pouches and jars 'occasionally'. The NHS instead recommends a diet of home-made meals and no processed snacks after claims by nutritionists that ready-made baby food is less healthy. It is the first time the health service has ever mentioned processed baby food in its advice on infant nutrition. In the updated guidance, the NHS tells parents that preparing simple food at home for babies is 'often healthier and cheaper'. 'Although food jars, pouches, trays and pots can be convenient, you should not rely on them as an everyday food,' it reads. 'If you use them, only use them occasionally. 'Preparing food at home is often healthier and cheaper than shop-bought food.' 'Choose products with least sugar' Parents should also buy pre-made products with 'the least amount of sugar' and avoid feeding their babies snacks until they are at least 12 months old. The guidance goes on to say that infants should not be fed solid food until they are six months old, 'even if labels say it's suitable from four months'. It also advises parents that allowing infants to suck food from a pouch can cause tooth decay. They should instead 'always squeeze the contents from pouches onto a spoon to feed your baby' and also 'move on to mashed or finger foods from purees or blended foods as soon as possible'. For children aged 12 months or older, the NHS says parents should avoid buying processed snacks from shops. 'Try not to feed them shop-bought biscuits, rusks, biscotti, melty snacks and other packaged foods,' it reads. 'They can contain a lot of sugar and your baby doesn't need them in their diet.' It adds: 'Remember, your child does not need salt or sugar added to their food or cooking water. Children should not eat salty foods as it is not good for their kidneys, and sugar can cause tooth decay.' Research by University College London (UCL) found last year that toddlers received almost half their calories from ultra-processed foods (UPFs). The study of 2,500 children found that consumption of such foods continued to rise as they got older. The most common highly processed foods eaten by toddlers were flavoured yogurts and wholegrain breakfast cereals. A BBC investigation earlier this year found the pouches were not meeting the nutritional needs of babies. Experts said habits formed in the early years were likely to continue into adulthood, fuelling Britain's obesity crisis. The Department of Health and Social Care said: 'Good nutrition is essential to giving babies the best start in life. We're updating the Better Health Start for Life website to reflect the growing variety of baby foods available and to give parents clear, consistent advice. 'Current laws already set strong standards for baby food and we support action against any products that don't meet them.'
The Guardian
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Baby formula prices at historic high despite UK watchdog proposals
Baby formula prices remain close to historic highs more than 18 months after the UK competition watchdog began an investigation into the market, with the government a week late in responding to its proposed remedies. The cost of infant formula fell only 50p on average last year, to £11.99 a tin, compared with £11.10 in 2021, with the most expensive priced at £18. The products are out of reach for those entitled to the government's Healthy Start allowance designed to help poorer families, according to the First Steps Nutrition Trust campaign group. Most baby formula products have not changed price in the past year. Dr Vicky Sibson, the director of the trust, said: 'You can see that despite being exposed for maintaining 50-75% profit margins, the big brands are maintaining high prices, which we think is shameful.' The exceptions are two supermarket own-label products, with Lidl and Aldi offering formula at £6.99. The Competition and Markets Authority proposed in February several measures to help parents, which it said could allow them to save £300 a year by switching to a lower-priced brand. The government, which was due to publish a response more than a week ago, has yet to outline its plans for the market. However, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'There are many benefits of breastfeeding but for those mothers that cannot or choose not to breastfeed, it is vital parents can access infant formula that is affordable and high quality. Families should not be paying over the odds to feed their babies. 'As part of our plan for change, we're determined to ensure every child has the best start to life. We are working closely with the devolved governments to carefully consider these recommendations and will respond fully in due course.' The CMA's recommendations included standardised packaging in hospitals and other healthcare locations to tackle the power of marketing on new parents and allowing families to use gift vouchers and loyalty card points to buy formula milk. Until now, advertising of baby formula, as well as price reductions and deals, have been restricted to avoid discouraging breastfeeding. Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion While shoppers tend to seek out cheaper options on most products, parents are reluctant to change brands when it comes to formula, where there are only the two supermarket own-label alternatives to the big brands. Two companies, Danone and Nestlé, account for 85% of sales, with few parents aware that baby formula is tightly regulated so that all products meet babies' nutritional and safety needs. The CMA launched its study into the infant formula market after finding that manufacturers raised prices by 25% in two years and managed to increase profit margins during the cost of living crisis.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New Device Measures How Much Breast Milk a Baby Is Getting
Fact checked by Sarah ScottA team of engineers, neonatologists, and pediatricians at Northwestern University developed a wearable device that can help parents gauge how much breastmilk their baby is getting. The device could help ease any stress or concern about whether their baby is eating enough. Until the device is on the market, there are several other ways to make sure your baby is getting enough and chestfeeding offers countless benefits for mom and baby, but one aspect of nursing causes many parents intense stress. I mean, who among us hasn't worried that our baby isn't getting enough breast milk? While there are ways to determine if your baby is being properly nourished, like counting diaper output, researchers at Northwestern University felt there must be an easier and more updated method. So, they developed a device that uses sensors to measure exactly how much breast milk a baby is drinking. It's important to note that the sensors are not available at the moment, but the hope is that the technology will be at new parents' disposal in a few years. Lead researcher Daniel Robinson, MD MSc, an associate professor of pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, explains to Parents that the device was designed to help health care professionals manage the nutritional needs of preterm and sick infants in the NICU. Their goal is also to reduce stress for breastfeeding parents and avoid the cumbersome use of pre- and post-feed weighing of infants. 'A mother would place a wireless sensor on the breast,' Robinson explains about how the device functions. 'Technically, the sensor is measuring a change in bioimpedance as the infant pulls milk out of the breast. The signal changes as the milk is expressed and breast tissue changes.' Then, that information would be sent via Bluetooth to a smartphone, so parents can keep track of their baby's breastmilk intake. Until the device is operational, if you are not a technophile, or if you can be technically challenged (timidly raises hand), Abrie McCoy, an IBCLC with SimpliFed, wants new parents to remember their bodies were made to breastfeed efficiently! That said, McCoy emphasizes, 'It's completely normal to wonder if your baby is getting enough to eat.' 'While these concerns are valid, take a deep breath and trust in your body and your ability to nourish your baby,' she advises new parents. McCoy says instead of focusing on finding an exact measurement of breast milk intake, parents should look for the signs of a successful feed. Signs of a successful feeding routine include: Your newborn is nursing often. McCoy says a new baby will nurse at least 8 to 10 times in a 24-hour period. Baby is making wet and dirty diapers. 'From day 3 to 1 month old, your baby should have at least six wet diapers and three dirty diapers per day,' McCoy says. 'These numbers tell us your baby is well-hydrated and getting the nourishment they need.' Baby continues to grow and thrive. This is a key indication that your baby is receiving the nourishment required. Baby is experiencing a steady increase in head circumference, length, and weight. These trends are measured at your baby's well visits. McCoy encourages new parents to support their bodies in providing nourishment to their babies, and following the baby's lead when it comes to showing hunger cues. Don't forget to relax and reach out for help from a lactation specialist or your child's pediatrician if you have concerns. Read the original article on Parents
Associated Press
15-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
ByHeart Launches Anywhere Pack: A First-of-Its-Kind Travel-Ready Infant Formula for Modern Parents
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 13, 2025-- Today, ByHeart, the next-generation infant nutrition company, announced the launch of its newest product: the Anywhere Pack — a revolutionary, mess-free way to feed babies on-the-go. Compact, convenient, and pre-portioned, the Anywhere Pack offers freedom for parents to feed wherever life takes them. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: ByHeart's innovation introduces a new single-serve option for modern parents specifically designed to simplify bottle-making while traveling, commuting, or tackling day-to-day errands. Each pack contains 14 pre-measured sticks of ByHeart's groundbreaking formula — the first infant formula in the U.S. to combine certified organic, grass-fed whole milk, their closest-to-breast-milk patented protein blend, and clinically proven benefits — now available in a flexible, travel-ready format. 'Today's parents aren't putting their lives on pause when they have children — they're bringing their babies along for the adventure,' said Mia Funt, Co-Founder and President of ByHeart. 'We created the Anywhere Pack specifically for this new generation of Beta babies whose parents are redefining what early parenthood looks like: more flexible, more mobile, and less tied to the constraints of home.' Key benefits include: 'At ByHeart, we're committed to advancing infant nutrition through breast milk science, evidence, and purpose. We created a formula that prioritizes baby's functional health and development, with breast milk as our north star. By focusing on powerhouse macronutrients such as protein, we've been able to create a patented protein blend that gets closest to breast milk,' said Ron Belldegrun, Co-Founder and CEO. 'With the Anywhere Pack, we're offering that same groundbreaking formulation in a new, convenient format — empowering parents to nourish their babies with optimal nutrition, wherever life takes them.' The Anywhere Pack is available for purchase now on ($19.99), and will be rolling out to retail partners nationwide, making premium infant nutrition accessible wherever families shop. To celebrate the launch of Anywhere Pack and its mission to help parents feed with freedom, ByHeart is giving away the chance to win 1 million airline miles to Generation Beta babies born between January and May 2025. Twenty lucky families will receive 50,000 miles each to support unforgettable first trips, honoring a major milestone in their parenting journey. From now until May 31st, parents of eligible babies can enter the giveaway on View source version on CONTACT: Press Contacts SGPR ([email protected]) KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA NEW YORK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: FDA RETAIL SMALL BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES WOMEN TRAVEL PARENTING MEN FITNESS & NUTRITION CHILDREN BABY/MATERNITY FAMILY VACATION FOOD/BEVERAGE CONSUMER HEALTH SOURCE: ByHeart Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 05/13/2025 10:03 AM/DISC: 05/13/2025 10:02 AM
Medscape
09-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Parents Cautious With Eggs and Nuts in Infant Diet
Although parents introduced most highly allergenic foods, along with other solid foods, to infants, many held off giving eggs and nuts until their child was at least a year old. Infants with a family history of allergy were more likely to have restricted diets, with certain foods avoided altogether. METHODOLOGY: Researchers analyzed data from a UK birth cohort study to determine whether the time of introduction and type of foods introduced differed between infants with and without a family history of allergy. Between May 21, 2015, and July 24, 2017, the researchers recruited 390 pregnant women (mean maternal age, 31 years), with 392 live births subsequently. Parents reported data on a family history of allergy and infant diet antenatally, at birth, and when the baby was around 6, 12, and 24 months old. TAKEAWAY: Most highly allergenic foods were introduced to infants aged 6-9 months, with wheat being the first allergenic food introduced; by the age of 9 months, 97% of infants had been exposed to wheat. The introduction of eggs and nuts was notably delayed, with 21% of infants not exposed to eggs and 35% not exposed to nuts by the age of around 12 months. No difference was observed in the age of introduction of solid foods between infants with and without any family history of any allergy. Infants with a family history of allergy were more likely to have diets that avoided specific foods, particularly dairy, soy, eggs, and nuts compared with those without a family history of that allergy. IN PRACTICE: 'Different diets or delayed introduction of allergenic foods in high-risk infants might affect the development of allergies in infants and could be a modifiable risk factor for allergy development,' the authors wrote. SOURCE: Suzannah Helps, PhD, with the University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, England, was the corresponding author of the study, which was published online on April 30 in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition . LIMITATIONS: This study relied on parental report measures, and methods of data collection varied between waves of data collection, affecting consistency. DISCLOSURES: This study was funded by the University of Portsmouth. The authors reported having no conflicts of interest.
