Prebiotics in Infant Formula
Your little bundle of joy is here, and you want to do everything to protect them. While your baby was born with a supply of protective antibodies, their immune system will continue developing after birth. If you plan on using infant formula, you can help support your baby’s immune system with a formula inspired by breast milk that has prebiotics, like Enfamil NeuroProTM with our unique Triple Prebiotic Immune BlendTM.
What are prebiotics?
Prebiotics are a form of dietary fiber that support your baby’s gut and immune health. They act as food for your baby’s “good” gut bacteria.
Nourishing baby’s good gut bacteria
When people think of bacteria, they often believe that it’s bad—the kind that can result in illness. But many forms of so-called “good” bacteria exist naturally in the body, primarily in the tummy.
Babies are born with a group of friendly gut bacteria. This type of bacteria helps support gut and immune health. But since your little one’s gut bacteria is still developing, it’s important to help support that maturing immune system. How do prebiotics fit in? They stimulate the growth of good bacteria and help nourish a healthy balance of it.
Sources of prebiotics
Breast milk is a primary source of human milk oligosaccharides, which have prebiotic-like bifidogenic effects. But if you are using infant formula, one that has prebiotics can also help support the growth of beneficial bacteria in your baby's tummy. The Triple Prebiotic Immune BlendTM found in Enfamil NeuroPro infant formula has three prebiotics: 2’-FL HMO, PDX, and GOS.
Support to the immune system: 2’-FL HMO, PDX, and GOS
The blend of 2’-FL HMO, PDX, and GOS in Enfamil NeuroPro helps support an infant’s immune system.1,2
Let’s explore what this alphabet soup of prebiotics does and how they can benefit your baby.
What is 2’FL-HMO?
Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are the third most abundant solid component in human milk after lactose and fat. 2’-Fucosyllactose human milk oligosaccharide (2’-FL HMO), though not from human milk, is similar to the form of the 2’-FL HMO found in breast milk.
Why is 2’FL-HMO in formula important?
2’-Fucosyllactose human milk oligosaccharides (not from human milk) in formula help feed the bacteria in your baby’s tummy, supporting the immune system.
What are GOS and PDX?
Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are a prebiotic found in dairy products and beans. GOS-supplemented infant formula can support gut bacteria.
PDX stands for polydextrose, a dietary fiber that feeds beneficial bacteria throughout the large intestine. It can be found in foods such as baked goods, nutrition bars, and yogurt. PDX and GOS help support gut balance by stimulating growth and activity of beneficial bacteria (gut flora) throughout the gastrointestinal tract, which helps support your child’s immune health.3
PDX and GOS: Dietary fiber/prebiotic to support digestive and immune health
The patented combination of GOS and PDX in Enfamil NeuroProTM is shown to increase immune-supporting gut bacteria. They work in tandem throughout the large intestine to foster the growth of good bacteria and promote gut health. The unique blend of PDX and GOS promotes frequent and soft stools in children.4
How do I add these three prebiotics to my baby’s diet?
Enfamil NeuroProTM is an easy and convenient way to help ensure that your formula-fed baby receives immune support from GOS, 2'-FL HMO, and PDX. It’s the only leading formula with both expert-recommended DHA and our proprietary Triple Prebiotic Immune BlendTM. Enfamil NeuroProTM gives babies a unique and advanced combination of nutrients inspired by breast milk. Plus, it’s from Enfamil, the #1 brand recommended by pediatricians.
When comparing your infant formula nutrition options, consider how a blend of prebiotics could support your little one’s immune health as they take on the world.
1 Scalabrin DM, Mitmesser SH, Welling GW, Harris CL, Marunycz JD, Walker DC, Bos NA, Tölkkö S, Salminen S, Vanderhoof JA. New prebiotic blend of polydextrose and galacto-oligosaccharides has a bifidogenic effect in young infants. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2012;54:343-52.
2 Reverri EJ, Devitt AA, Kajzer J, Baggs GE, Borschel MW. Review of the clinical experiences of feeding infants formula containing the human milk oligosaccharide 2’-fucosyllactose. Nutrients. 2018;10(10):1346.
3 Ouwehand A, Isolauri E, Salminen S. The role of the intestinal microflora for the development of the immune system in early childhood. Eur J Nutr 2002;41 Suppl 1:I32-7.
4 Ashley C, Johnston WH, Harris CL, Stolz SI, Wampler JL, Berseth CL. Growth and tolerance of infants fed formula supplemented with polydextrose (PDX) and/or galactooligosaccharides (GOS): double-blind, randomized, controlled trial. Nutr J. 2012; 11:38. doi:1 0.1186/1475-2891-11-38.
