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Can NAN Pro 2 Be Given For A 6 Month Old Infant?

Posted on Thu, 16 Feb 2017

Question: Hi doctor,

I have a 6 months old baby girl. I am exclusively breastfeeding her till now. From last couple of days, I am giving her mashed banana as well. I am planning to introduce formula to her as I am planning to rejoin work. So I choose “Nestle NAN PRO 2 Follow up Infant Formula (after 6 Months)”. But I noticed a sentence on the box saying "nan pro 2 is a spray dried formula for infants after 6 Months when they are not breastfed".

I am planning to breast feed her when I am at home. Can we feed nan pro 2 once or twice a day and continue breast feed her?

Please suggest me any other alternatives and feeding suggestions for the baby.

Thanks you.

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Breast feeding would be the best. Gradually move to semisolids

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

It is definitely preferable to breast feed a baby as long as breast milk is available. If no breast milk is available, there is no way other than using substitutes like NAN Pro 2. If you are giving NAN Pro 2 it can be assumed that you do not have sufficient quantity of breast milk. Hence the caption. However, my suggestion would be to continue with breast feeding rather than giving formula feeds.

You can start with thick liquids like dal water or fruit juices, gradually move over to semi-solids or mashed foods, and subsequently start with pounded food. Consider your ABCs - applesauce, bananas, and cereal (rice, biscuits dipped in milk, or roti softened with milk/water). Boiled rice and dal with vegetables and give in mashed form. Gradually increase the amount and frequency. Introduce one new food item per week and stick to it at least for the week.

I would insist you to go through the following chart about what foods to give at what age:
http://www.superbabyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Baby-Food-Chart-4-to-12-months-baby-SuperBaby.jpg

A detailed diet chart can be found at:
http://indianhealthyrecipes.com/indian-baby-food-chart/

Noting down so much information would have made the answer unnecessarily long. Pardon me for avoiding that.

Hopefully that clears your queries.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (12 minutes later)

Thank you doctor for the detailed reply.

I think I have enough breast milk for the baby for now. But I am planning to start going to office from next week. I cannot be available for about 8 hours (from 10AM to 6PM or so) a day at home. So I am thinking of breast milk substitutes when I am out for the work.

Do you suggest not to give Nan Pro 2 now, and give some other semi solid foods (mashed banana/dal water/fruit juices) when I am not available at home, and give breast milk when I am back home?

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. Yes, my preference would be towards gradually moving to semi-solids as much as possible and to avoid formula milk if possible. You can also give expressed breast milk. You can store the milk in sterile containers stored in the door of the refrigerator. The milk should not be heated and should be given after thawing.

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar