FOXNews.com - Health - Fortified Formula Boosts Infant Development
Monday, April 25, 2005
By Salynn Boyles
Fox News
"Breast milk may be best, but there is more evidence that women who can't breastfeed can give their babies a boost by feeding them formulas fortified with the omega-3 fatty acids. The baby formulas, which contain the fatty acids DHA and ARA, have been available in the United States for a little more than a year. In one new study, full-term infants (those born after 37 weeks of pregnancy) who were fed a fortified baby formula showed clear benefits in terms of visual development compared with infants fed nonfortified formula. In another, preterm infants gained weight faster and showed enhanced brain development when fed fortified formulas. Neither study compared fortified baby formulas with breast milk, however, although one did use breastfed babies as a reference group. Both were paid for by Mead Johnson Nutritionals, the maker of a best-selling DHA/ARA fortified formula.... [Many online news sites pull headlines for articles related to the main article. This one has two headlines alongisde: "Fuel Chemical Found In Breast Milk" and "Breastfeeding May Promote Healthy Weight." - one positive and one negatve. - JC]
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