Protein Sources in Infant Formulas - What is The Standard?

While breastfeeding is known to be optimal, not every infant can be breastfed, so a good second choice is sought. Traditionally, infant formulas were based on cow’s milk but there is a big difference between cow’s milk and human breast milk, particularly in terms of its protein, carbohydrate and mineral components.

Thus, cow’s milk needs to be adapted to the needs of human infants.  In this presentation, Yvan Vandenplas explains one way this can be done is by changing the structure of the protein in cow’s milk by using partial hydrolysates.  He gives a review of various studies from around the world, looking at the effects on skin allergies and asthma and eczema of using partial hydrolysates vs. in-tact proteins, particularly in at-risk infants. 

He notes that government regulators around the world have recognized they are safe, economically viable and show equal results to those of infant formulas that are non-hydrolyzed.