It’s no secret that breast milk is the perfect food for the human infant, as it contains all the nutrients vital for healthy growth and development, plus beneficial microbes that promote a healthy gut microbiome. Studies show that breastfed babies tend to be healthier than babies who are formula fed, especially in their first year of life. The benefits of breastfeeding are tremendous, and the longer a baby is breastfed, the more far-reaching the health benefits are throughout their lives. For women who cannot breastfed, researchers have identified a way to improve the nutritious benefits of infant formula.
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According to results from a clinical trial, published in the Journal of Pediatrics, infants who consume formula that contains milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) score higher in cognitive, language and motor development tests by the time they turn one, compared to infants who consume formula that does not contain MFGM.
MFGM is a complex layer that surrounds milk fat, but is commonly removed from infant formula. Co-author of the study, John Colombo, explained, “Normal milk, including human milk, is composed of fat droplets which are surrounded by a membrane containing potentially important nutrients, including proteins, sugars and lipids. In homogenized formula, the droplets are broken up, and these membrane nutrients are typically removed.”
Along with higher test scores, the infants who consumed formula containing MFGM also showed significantly fewer gastrointestinal and respiratory-associated problems through 18 months of age. Based on the study’s results, researchers concluded, “… dietary bMFGM and bovine lactoferrin together may not only provide a better approximation of the bioactive composition of human milk, but also contribute to beneficial cognitive, gastrointestinal and respiratory health outcomes.”
If for whatever reason you're unable to breastfeed or find a safe source of breast milk, such as donated breast milk, steer clear of commercial infant formulas as much as possible and definitely avoid all soy infant formula, as it is loaded with toxic elements like high doses of manganese and aluminum. The next best alternative to breast milk is to make a healthy homemade infant formula.