Babies, Parenting, Child Health, Infant Nutrition

Baby Nutrition – University of Texas Study finds Supplementing Babies’ Formula with DHA Boost Cognitive Development

27.10.2009 | 9:05:03 am | Posted by colleenh

By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kid’s Nutrition Specialist

dha Research has previously shown breastfed babies have higher cognitive skills than formula fed babies, and a recent study finds further evidence for this notion. Several studies have confirmed the superior cognitive skills of breastfed babies, but the reasons why were speculative – until now that is. The enhanced brain function may be due the abundance of an essential fatty acid called DHA or docosahexaenoic acid naturally found in breast milk.

DHA has been known to aid in cognition and more and more infant formula companies have begun to add supplemental DHA to their formulas. The study, from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and the Retina Foundation of the Southwest, used a more sensitive test of infants’ cognitive skills and higher concentrations of DHA than in previous studies.

Published in the most recent issue of the Child Development, the study examined 229 babies who received either regular infant formula or formula supplemented with DHA. The infants were given the formula shortly after birth, after 6 weeks of breastfeeding, or after 4 to 6 months of breastfeeding. At 9 months old, the babies were then given a problem solving test which involved following sequential steps in order to obtain a rattle.

The babies who were fed the DHA fortified formula were more likely to get the rattle as well as exhibiting more intentional behaviors that allowed them to get the rattle. Study authors note that there currently is no conclusion as to whether or not infant formula should be supplemented with DHA yet go on to say this study clearly illustrates the positively associated effects of DHA and infant cognitive development which may extend beyond infancy. While it may be some time before DHA becomes universally added to infant formula, breast milk doesn’t require fortification, is rich in DHA, and provides the best of what Mother Nature has to offer.

Permalink

Email this article

Printer-friendly version

About this Blog:

The Baby Mum-Mum blog discusses everything to do with babies and parenting with a focus on child health and child development. Baby Mum-Mum is a healthy, easy to digest baby rice snack that is enjoyed by babies and mothers around the world for its portability, gluten free ingredients and great taste.

Announcement:

On February 22, the FDA issued letters relating to labelling to 22 food companies, including several baby food manufacturers. We were advised by the FDA that we are not permitted to print the statements "Low in Fat" or "No added fat or oils" on our Baby Mum-Mum packaging.

Although these statements are true and each serving of Baby Mum-Mum does not contain any fat, the FDA has brought to our attention that these claims are technically not allowed on our packaging solely because the product is intended for consumption by infants and children under 4 years of age.

In the future, these claims will be removed from our packaging.

Syndicate this Blog: