The best hypoallergenic mixture for babies - Bellakt, Nutrilak or Nan?

Four of the comparison products are based on hydrolyzed proteins and are designed to prevent allergies in children. The efficiency of the mixture depends on the degree of hydrolysis. In this parameter, Nutrilak wins, which contains a complete protein hydrolyzate. It has the lowest allergenic potential. The MAMAKO product, which is made from goat's milk and does not contain cow proteins, stands apart. It is suitable even for severe forms of allergy to milk proteins.

Parents of allergic babies should not forget about lactose.Similac has a reduced lactose level compared to Nutrilak, NAN and Bellakt to reduce the risk of allergies in the newborn. The only lactose-free mixture is MAMAKO, so it will fit babies with lactase deficiency. All products contain pro- and prebiotics, but I would like to mention Nutrilak separately: it contains LGG, which have a proven therapeutic effect in atopic dermatitis and other allergic diseases.

All infant formulas in our comparison are free of GMOs, colors, preservatives and flavors. An important point is the absence of gluten, which causes severe digestive disorders in children with celiac disease (gluten enteropathy). Manufacturers do not add palm oil to their product, which can cause constipation and allergies in newborns.

Hypoallergenic formulations based on hydrolyzed and goat proteins have a bitter taste. It is associated with a special production technology and is not a sign of poor product quality. However, bitterness often becomes an insurmountable obstacle to the baby getting used to a new diet, so parents have to choose the mixture for a long time.

To analyze the taste of the mixtures, we focused on the feedback from the parents of infants. According to mothers, the NAN mixture has the best taste.Most children easily get used to it and eat with pleasure. A lactose-free goat milk diet has a pleasant taste and aroma - parents report that children quickly switch to this mixture, do not cringe and do not spit it out. But the rest of the options have a noticeable bitter taste, so babies do not immediately get used to a new product or completely refuse it.

The speed of preparing baby food and the absence of lumps in the finished product are the most important criteria for mothers. According to the method of preparation, hypoallergenic formulations are no different from conventional ones. It is enough to measure the right amount of powder using the measuring spoon that comes with the kit, and dissolve it in the prepared volume of drinking water. It is advisable to use high-quality bottled water marked "children's", which complies with SanPiN 2.1.4.1116-02.

Parents report that Similac mix has the best solubility and does not foam when shaken, so cooking a serving of food takes a matter of minutes. Compounds from Nutrilak and NAN are less convenient to use, they do not dissolve well in warm water and require prolonged mixing. Periodically, problems with solubility occur when feeding a newborn with a mixture of Bellakt.

Difficulties regularly arise with MAMAKO lactose-free formula.Goat milk proteins differ in physical and chemical properties from the usual hydrolyzate, therefore, with active stirring, lumps and foam appear in the bottle. To avoid this, the manufacturer recommends gently rolling the bottle in your hands, without making sudden movements.

Dry hypoallergenic mixtures are available in two versions: a bag with a mixture placed in a cardboard box, or a metal can with a lid. The second option is much more convenient, since the dry composition is well stored in a tightly closed jar, does not cake or crumple due to moisture.

Parents call the most convenient jar MAMAKO, which has an outer hinged lid and an inner membrane for sealed storage. NAN and Similac packages are also quite convenient to use and store. But mixtures from Nutrilak and Bellakt, which are available in boxes, create storage difficulties. The edge of the open package has to be wrapped and secured so that foreign odors and moisture do not get into the mixture. Some parents buy a glass or tin jar where they pour the rest of the mixture for comfortable use.

Lactose-free and hypoallergenic mixtures from different brands are available in different packages. For a correct comparison, we calculated the price per 100 g of dry product. The Similac mixture turned out to be the most affordable; Bellakt product is in the same price category with it. NAN and Nutrilak have a fairly good price, but MAMAKO is 2-2.5 times more expensive than other positions. The high price of MAMAKO is due to the unique composition of goat milk - such a product is much more expensive to manufacture.

It's time to determine the winner of our comparison. All selected products are of good quality and are suitable for use for allergic children from birth to 12 months. However, the undisputed leader was the Similac mixture - a combination of partial hydrolyzate and breast milk oligosaccharides is ideal for preventing allergies, strengthening immunity and improving digestion in the intestines. The product won in two out of five nominations and showed good results in other comparison items.

The second place was deservedly taken by the product from NAN, which has the most pleasant taste and aroma, balanced composition and convenient packaging. In third place is the lactose-free formula MAMAKO, which is used in severe forms of allergies for treatment and prevention. Hypoallergenic mixtures Bellakt and Nutrilak have approximately the same composition and are in the same price category. These are good options to consider in the absence of better NANs and Similac.