Method and bottle for infant feeding

Abstract

A method for feeding an infant by non-human milk including the steps of (a) feeding the infant by fore-milk equivalent having a volume of 30-60 % of a total meal and a percentage of fat of 2.5-3.5 %; and (b) feeding the infant by hind-milk equivalent having a volume of 40-70% of the total meal and a percentage of fat of 3.7-5.5 %.

Description

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a method and bottle for infant feeding by non-human milk and, more particularly, to a method for infant feeding by non-human milk which mimics breast fore- and hind-milk feeding and a bottle for effecting the method.

[0003] Most researchers and authorities agree that under normal conditions exclusive breast feeding provides substantially an adequate amount of most nutrients for infants for at least four months. Breast fed infants have advantages in terms of general health. They have a more effective immune system and are therefore less sensitive to infections, such as but not limited to, ears, lungs and intestinal infections, they achieve faster mental development and their body composition comprises less fat. Also, there are indications that breast feeding achieves better future health of the child and the adult. For example, breast fed children are less prone to develop juvenile diabetes, heart diseases, obesity, etc. For further advantages of breast feeding the reader is referred to Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 40:635-646, 1984, which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

[0004] It has been found that in the course of the breast feeding the infant is fed initially with milk having a smaller percentage of fat, which is known in the art as fore-milk, and thereafter with milk having a larger percentage of fat, which is known in the art as hind-milk. To this effect the reader is referred to J. of Ped. and Gastro. and Nutr. 18:474-477, 1994, which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

[0005] In attempts to become as close as possible to breast feeding, formula producers invest a lot of effort in improving the composition of so called “humanised milk”. It has been found that formula fed infants tend to eat more calories and protein and to grow faster than breast fed infants. However, whereas in the past the rate of growth was perceived as an indication of good nutritional status, in recent years it became clear that facilitated growth is not necessarily advantageous to the present and future health of the child. To this effect the reader is referred to Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 58:152-161, 1993, and J. of Ped. and Gastro. and Nutr. 18:474-477, 1994, which are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

[0006] In view of the above research, it has become desirable to develop a method of feeding infants that provides a gradual increase of fat content which is similar to that of the breast feeding.

[0007] The advantage of the gradual method is assumed to be, inter alia, better compatibility between the infant's requirements and consumption. Infants, who consume mostly the fore-milk which is lower in fat content, will get more of the high carbohydrate low protein formula as the result of which they will get more protein which is spared (by carbohydrates) mainly for true growth of the infant, e.g., body length, without being satisfied for prolonged times and without over consumption of calories from fat. Bigger and stronger babies who spend and require more energy, will get at the beginning more carbohydrate and protein, and later on more calories, but not as much protein, from extra suckling, as the fat content of the formula increases along the feeding session in, for example, a logarithmic or geometric manner.

[0008] There is thus a widely recognized need for, and it would be highly advantageous to have, a method for infant feeding by non-human milk which mimics breast fore- and hind-milk feeding, and a bottle for effecting the method.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] According to the present invention there is provided a method for feeding an infant by non-human milk.

[0010] According to further features in preferred embodiments of the invention described below, the method comprising the steps of (a) feeding the infant by fore-milk equivalent having a volume of, for example, 30-60% of a total meal and a percentage of fat of, for example, 2.5-3.5%; and (b) feeding the infant by hind-milk equivalent having a volume of, for example, 40-70% of the total meal and a percentage of fat of, for example, 3.7-5.5%.

[0011] According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the feeding is performed either by feeding the fore-milk equivalent and the hind-milk equivalent one after another or by first feeding the fore-milk equivalent which is gradually admixed with the hind-milk equivalent.

[0012] According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the percentage of the fore-milk equivalent in the total meal volume is 31-47% and the fat content therein is 2.8%-3.3%, and the percentage of the hind-milk equivalent in the total meal volume is 53-67% and the fat content therein is 4.5% -5%.

[0013] According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the percentage of the fore-milk equivalent in the total meal is 40% and the fat content therein is 3%, and the percentage of the hind-milk equivalent in the total meal volume is 60% and the fat content therein is 4.8%.

[0014] According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the feeding is performed in two bottles, one being filled with the fore-milk equivalent and one being filled with the hind-milk equivalent, the contents of the bottles being forwarded one after the other.

[0015] According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the feeding is performed with a bottle which is divided into two compartments, one being filled with the fore-milk equivalent and the other with the hind-milk equivalent, the bottle being designed in such a manner enabling the infant to consume at first the fore-milk equivalent and thereafter the fore-milk equivalent gradually admixed with the hind-milk equivalent.

[0016] According to another embodiment provided is a bottle for feeding an infant, which is suitable for effecting the feeding method herein described.

[0017] According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the bottle comprising first and second compartments and being designed in such a manner enabling the infant to consume at first a content being held in the first compartment and thereafter admixing same with a content being held in the second compartment.

[0018] The present invention successfully addresses the shortcomings of the presently known configurations by providing a method and bottle for infant feeding by non-human milk which mimics breast fore- and hind-milk feeding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The invention herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a front view of a bottle according to the present invention; and

[0021] FIG. 2 shows a front view of another embodiment of a bottle according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] The present invention is of a method for infant feeding by non-human milk and of a bottle for effecting the method, which can be used for mimicking breast fore- and hind-milk feeding. Specifically, the present invention can be used to gradually increase the fat content fed to the infant along a feeding session and thereby to mimic the natural case in which low fat fore milk followed by higher fat hind milk are fed to the infant.

[0023] The principles and operation of a method and bottle according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and accompanying descriptions.

[0024] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0025] Thus, the present invention is of a method for gradual feeding of infants by non-human milk “infant formula”, wherein milk (fore-milk equivalent) having a volume of, for example, 30-60% of a total meal and a percentage of fat of, for example, 2.5-3.5%, and milk (hind-milk equivalent) having a volume of, for example, 40-70% of the total meal and a percentage of fat of, for example, 3.7-5.5% are fed to the infant. A meal may have a total volume of, for example, 30-300 ml, depending on infant's intake, age, weight, etc.

[0026] The term “milk equivalent” a used herein in the specification and in the claims section below refers to any human milk substitute used to feed infants. The substitute may be milk based or non-milk based (e.g., soy based). The terms “fore-milk equivalent” and “hind-milk equivalent” therefore refer to milk substitutes, as this term defined herein, which are similar or compatible at least in their fat content and/or other ingredients to human fore and hind milk, respectively.

[0027] According to the present invention feeding is performed either by feeding fore-milk equivalent and hind-milk equivalent one after another or alternatively by first feeding fore-milk equivalent which is gradually admixed with the hind-milk equivalent.

[0028] The percentage of the fore-milk equivalent in the total meal volume is preferably, 31-47%, advantageously 40%; and the fat content therein is preferably 2.8-3.3%, advantageously 3%.

[0029] The percentage of the hind-milk equivalent in the total meal volume is preferably 53-67%, advantageously 60%; and the fat content therein is preferably 4.5% -5%, advantageously 4.8%.

[0030] The several formulas to be fed by the method according to the present invention may be prepared, e.g., by dissolving in water a dry powder having the adequate formulation to achieve the correct content. The dissolving operation may be made either directly in the bottle or in a factory or the like where a large quantity of formulations is prepared and/or marketed as ready to feed liquid formula.zzz

[0031] Milk base formulations according to the present invention may include the following ingredients: lactose, vegetable oils, skimmed milk powder, whey protein concentrate, Sodium, Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Chloride, Iron, Magnesium, Taurine and Vitamins.

[0032] Soy base formulations according to the present invention may include the following ingredients: Glucose syrup, vegetable oils, soy protein isolate, Sucrose, Maltodextrine, Sodium, Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, chloride, Iron, Magnesium, Vitamins, Methionine, Taurine, Carnitine, and trace element.

[0033] Detailed composition of presently prefered soy and milk-based formulations of fore- and hind-milk equivalents are given in the Examples section hereinbelow.

[0034] The method according to the present invention may be performed by feeding with two separate bottles or a dual chamber bottle (as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,593,052; 5,611,776; 5,419,445; 4,971,211, which are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein), i.e., by feeding fore-milk equivalent and hind-milk equivalent separately one after another, or with one combination bottle enabling the gradual admixing of hind-milk equivalent into fore-milk equivalent.

[0035] When the method is performed with two bottles (or a dual chamber bottle) each bottle (or chamber) is filled with one of the formulations. In this case at first the bottle (or chamber) containing the fore-milk equivalent is fed and thereafter the bottle (or chamber) containing the hind-milk equivalent. By this method the bottles utilised are conventional bottles for feeding infants.

[0036] Preferably, the method is performed by feeding with one combination bottle which is divided into two compartments, one being filled with fore-milk equivalent and the second one with hind-milk equivalent, the bottle being designed in such a manner enabling the infant to consume at first the fore-milk equivalent which is thereafter gradually admixed with the hind-milk equivalent.

[0037] The combination bottles which enable the feeding of infants by the method claimed and described herein are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0038] The bottle shown in FIG. 1 includes two compartments, compartment 1 for fore-milk equivalent and compartment 2 for hind-milk equivalent. Compartment 1 is connected at the front end to teat 3 by thread 4 and by non return diaphragm valve 5. At its back end compartment 1 is connected to the front end of compartment 2 by thread 6 and by non return diaphragm valve 7. The back end of compartment 2 is provided with non return diaphragm valve 8 which enables air to flow into compartment 2. Valves 8, 7 and 5 enable the flow of air and/or milk in the same direction, i.e., from the back end of compartment 2 to compartment 1 and to teat 3. Thus, the moment the infant starts to suckle, milk is flowing to its mouth, at the beginning only the fore-milk equivalent and thereafter a gradual mixture of same with the hind-milk equivalent.

[0039] The bottle shown in FIG. 2 includes also two compartments, compartment for hind-milk equivalent and compartment 11 for fore-milk equivalent. Thread 12 connects the front end of compartment 10 to teat 13. Teat 13 is in fluid connection by straw stem 14 to compartment 11. Hole 16 in teat 13 enables free flow of atmospheric air to compartment 10 via non return diaphragm valve 19. The back end of compartment 10 is connected to the front end of compartment 11 by thread 17 and non return diaphragm valve 18. The moment the infant starts to suckle via teat 13 and straw stem 14, liquid flows from compartment 11 and as a result of the vacuum, air flows through hole 16 to compartment 10, pushing at the beginning pure fore-milk equivalent from compartment 11 through straw stem 14 and thereafter a gradual mixture thereof with the hind-milk equivalent flowing from compartment 10 to compartment 11 and from there via straw stem 14 to the mouth of the infant.

[0040] The present invention will now, be illustrated with reference to the following examples and to the accompanying drawings without being restricted by them.

EXAMPLE 1

Infant Formula I (Milk Base)

[0041] The formulation comprises the following ingredients: lactose, vegetable oils, skimmed milk powder, whey protein concentrate, Sodium, Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Chloride, Iron, Magnesium, Taurine and Vitamins. A special formulation is given hereunder:

		Powder	Regular	Fore-Milk	Hind-Milk
	Unit	100 g	100 ml	Eq. 100 ml	Eq. 100 ml
General Comp.
Protein	gram	11.1	1.5	1.5	1.5
Fat	gram	25.9	3.5	2.9	4.8
Lactose	gram	55.5	7.5	7.5	7.5
Water	gram	2.5	—	—	—
Ash	gram	2.06	0.27	0.27	0.27
Vitamins
Vitamin A	I.U.	1500	200	200	200
Vitamin D	I.U.	300	40	40	40
Vitamin B	mg	6	0.81	0.81	0.81
Vitamin K	μg	15	2.01	2.01	2.01
Vitamin B	μg	350	47.03	47.03	47.03
Vitamin B	μg	450	60	60	60
Vitamin B6	μg	222	30	30	30
Vitamin B12	μg	0.66	0.09	0.09	0.09
Niacin	mg	2	0.27	0.27	0.27
Folic Acid	μg	45	6	6	6
Calcium	mg	4.44	0.06	0.06	0.06
Pantothenate
Biotin	μg	11	1.5	1.5	1.5
Vitamin C	mg	45	6.08	6.08	6.08
Minerals
Calcium	mg	326	44	44	44
Phosphorus	mg	219	29.6	29.6	29.6
Magnesium	mg	37	5	5	5
Iron	mg	7.4	1	1	1
Sodium	mg	120.7	16.3	16.3	16.3
Potassium	mg	373	50	50	50
Ca/p ratio	—	1.49	1.49	1.49	1.49
Amino Acid
Profile
Alanine	mg	522	69.6	69.6	69.6
Arginine	mg	368	49.1	49.1	49.1
Asparatic Acid	mg	11.10	1.5	1.5	1.5
Cystine	mg	191	25.5	25.5	25.5
Glutamic Acid	mg	1423	189.7	189.7	189.7
Glycine	mg	244	32.5	32.5	32.5
Histidine	mg	262	34.9	34.9	34.9
Isoleucrue	mg	761	101.5	101.5	101.5
Leucine	mg	12.20	1.62	1.62	1.62
Lysine	mg	10.00	1.3	1.3	1.3
Methionine	mg	270	36	36	36
Phenylalanine	mg	461	62.3	62.3	62.3
Proline	mg	962	128.3	128.3	128.3
Serine	mg	681	90.8	90.8	90.8
Taurine	mg	37	4.9	4.9	4.9
Threonine	mg	686	91.5	91.5	91.5
Tryptophan mg	180	24	24	24
Tyrosine	mg	463	61.7	61.7	61.7
Valine	mg	775	103.3	103.3	103.3
Fatty Acid
Profile
Caprylic (C8)	%	2.6	2.6	2.6	2.6
	from
	fat
Capric (C10)	%	2.1	2.1	2.1	2.1
Lauric (C12)	%	17.5	17.5	17.5	17.5
Meristic (C14)	%	6.7	6.7	6.7	6.7
Palmitic (C16)	%	11.2	11.2	11.2	11.2
Stearic (C18)	%	11.8	11.8	11.8	11.8
Oleic (C18:1)	%	37.0	37.0	37.0	37.0
Linoleic (C18:2)	%	10.0	10.0	10.0	10.0
Linolenic (C18:3)	%	1.2	1.2	1.2	1.2

[0042] The powder described herein is suitable for the preparation of the regular liquid formula. Similar powders having less or more fat content (see row 2) may be used for the preparation of the fore- and hind-milk equivalents, respectively.

EXAMPLE 2

Infant Formula II (Soy Base)

[0043] The formulation comprises the following ingredients: Glucose syrup, vegetable oils, soy protein isolate, Sucrose, Maltodextrine, Sodium, Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, chloride, Iron, Magnesium, Vitamins, Methionine, Taurine, Carnitine, and trace element. A special formulation is given hereunder:

		Powder	Regular	Fore-Milk	Hind-Milk
	Unit	100 g	100 ml	Eq. 100 ml	Eq. 100 ml
General Comp.
Protein	gram	15	1.98	1.98	1.98
Fat	gram	27.54	3.64	3.0	4.7
Carbohydrate	gram	51.5	6.8	6.8	6.8
Linoleic Acid	gram	4.5	0.6	0.6	0.6
Vitamins
Vitamin A	I.U.	1500	198	198	198
Vitamin D	I.U.	300	39.7	39.7	39.7
Vitamin E	I.U.	10	1.32	1.32	1.32
Vitamin C	mg	65	8.6	8.6	8.6
Vitamin K	μg	77	10.2	10.2	10.2
Vitamin B	μg	345	45.6	45.6	45.6
Vitamin B	μg	445	58.9	58.9	58.9
Vitamin B6	μg	327	43.3	43.3	43.3
Vitamin B12	μg	1.5	0.2	0.2	0.2
Niacin	mg	7	0.93	0.93	0.93
Folic Acid	μg	76	10	10	10
Pantothenic Acid	μg	4.5	0.6	0.6	0.6
Biotin	μg	25	3.3	3.3	3.3
Choline	mg	58	7.7	7.7	7.7
Minerals
Calcium	mg	500	66.2	66.2	66.2
Phosphorus	mg	300	39.7	39.7	39.7
Magnesium	mg	45	6	6	6
Iron	mg	9.2	1.2	1.2	1.2
Zinc	mg	4	0.53	0.53	0.53
Manganese	μg	150	19.8	19.8	19.8
Copper	μg	400	53	53	53
Iodine	μg	77	10.2	10.2	10.2
Sodium	mg	200	26.5	26.5	26.5
Potassium	μg	546	72.2	72.2	72.2
Chloride	mg	400	53	53	53
Inositol	mg	25	3.3	3.3	3.3
Carnitine	mg	10	1.3	1.3	1.3
Ca/P ratio		1.67	1.67	1.67	1.67
Amino Acid
Profile
Alanine	mg	640	85.3	85.3	85.3
Arginine	mg	497	6.5	6.5	6.5
Aspartic Acid	mg	1385	184.7	184.7	184.7
Cystine	mg	242	32.3	32.3	32.3
Glutamic Acid	mg	3065	408.7	408.7	408.7
Glycine	mg	300	40	40	40
Histidine	mg	382	50.9	50.9	50.9
Isoleucine	mg	893	119.1	119.1	119.1
Leucine	mg	1600	213.3	213.3	213.3
Lysine	mg	1360	181.3	181.3	181.3
Methionine	mg	406	54.1	54.1	54.1
Phenylalanine	mg	650	86.7	86.7	86.7
Proline	mg	1113	148.4	148.4	148.4
Serine	mg	737	98.3	98.3	98.3
Taurine	mg	51	6.8	6.8	6.8
Threonine	mg	460	61.3	61.3	61.3
Tyrosine	mg	621	82.8	82.8	82.8
Valine	mg	947	126.3	126.3	126.3
Fatty Acid
Profile
Caprylic (C8)	%	2.6	2.6	2.6	2.6
	from
	fat
Capric (C10)	%	2.1	2.1	2.1	2.1
Lauric (C12)	%	17.5	17.5	17.5	17.5
Meristic (C14)	%	6.7	6.7	6.7	6.7
Palmitic (C16)	%	11.2	11.2	11.2	11.2
Stearic (C18)	%	11.8	11.8	11.8	11.8
Oleic (C18:1)	%	37.0	37.0	37.0	37.0
Linoleic (C18:2)	%	10.0	10.0	10.0	10.0
Linolenic (C18:3)	%	1.2	1.2	1.2	1.2

[0044] The powder described herein is suitable for the preparation of the regular liquid formula. Similar powders having less or more fat content (see row 2) may be used for the preparation of the fore- and hind-milk equivalents, respectively.

[0045] Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for feeding an infant with milk equivalent, the method comprising: (a) feeding the infant by fore-milk equivalent; and (b) feeding the infant by hind-milk equivalent.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said fore-milk equivalent has a volume of 30-60% of a total meal fed to the infant and a percentage of fat of 2.5 -3.5%, and said hind-milk equivalent has a volume of 40-70% of the total meal and a percentage of fat of 3.7-5.5%.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said feeding is performed either by feeding said fore-milk equivalent and said hind-milk equivalent one after another or by first feeding said fore-milk equivalent which is gradually admixed with said hind-milk equivalent.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the percentage of said fore-milk equivalent in the total meal volume is 31-47% and the fat content therein is 2.8% -3.3%, and the percentage of said hind-milk equivalent in the total meal volume is 53-67% and the fat content therein is 4.5% -5%.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the percentage of said fore-milk equivalent in the total meal is 40% and the fat content therein is 3%, and the percentage of said hind-milk equivalent in the total meal volume is 60% and the fat content therein is 4.8%.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said feeding is performed using two bottles, one being filled with said fore-milk equivalent and one being filled with said hind-milk equivalent, the contents of said bottles being forwarded one after the other.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said feeding is performed with a bottle which is divided into two compartments, one being filled with said fore-milk equivalent and the other being filled with said hind-milk equivalent, the bottle being designed in such a manner enabling the infant to consume at first said fore-milk equivalent and thereafter said fore-milk equivalent gradually admixed with said hind-milk equivalent.

8. A kit for feeding an infant with milk equivalent, the kit comprising: (a) a first container containing a fore-milk equivalent formula; and (b) a second container containing a hind-milk equivalent formula.

9. The kit of claim 8, wherein said fore-milk equivalent formula has a percentage of fat of 2.5-3.5%, and said hind-milk equivalent formula has a percentage of fat of 3.7-5.5%.

10. The kit of claim 8, wherein said fore-milk equivalent formula has a percentage of fat of 2.8-3.3%, and said hind-milk equivalent formula has a percentage of fat of 4.5-5%.

11. The kit of claim 8, wherein said fore-milk equivalent formula has a percentage of fat of 3%, and said hind-milk equivalent formula has a percentage of fat of 4.8%.

12. The kit of claim 8, wherein an amount of said hind-milk equivalent formula in the kit is between 1.5 and 2.3 fold an amount of said fore-milk equivalent formula in the kit.

13. The kit of claim 8, wherein said fore-milk equivalent formula and said hind-milk equivalent formula is each independently selected from the group consisting of a soy base milk equivalent formula and milk base milk equivalent formula.

14. The kit of claim 8, wherein said fore-milk equivalent formula and said hind-milk equivalent formula is each independently selected from the group consisting of a powder milk equivalent formula and a liquid milk equivalent formula.