As babies become young children, they change as much on the inside as the outside, as their gut microbiota evolve due to the introduction of solid foods
Laursen, M. F., Bahl, M. I., Michaelsen, K. F., & Licht, T. R. (2017). First foods and gut microbes. Frontiers in Microbiology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2017.00356
, and their immune system further matures
Martin, R., Nauta, A. J., Ben Amor, K., Knippels, L. M. J., Knol, J., & Garssen, J. (2010). Early life: Gut microbiota and immune development in infancy. Beneficial Microbes. https://doi.org/10.3920/BM2010.0027
. Their brains develop too, as they begin to focus on language and higher cognitive functions
Martin, R., Nauta, A. J., Ben Amor, K., Knippels, L. M. J., Knol, J., & Garssen, J. (2010). Early life: Gut microbiota and immune development in infancy. Beneficial Microbes. https://doi.org/10.3920/BM2010.0027
. Explore new ways to meet their needs with ingredient solutions parents will love.
The growth and development of young children relies on getting adequate nutrients and creating an environment in the gut that welcomes the right bacteria
Martin, R., Nauta, A. J., Ben Amor, K., Knippels, L. M. J., Knol, J., & Garssen, J. (2010). Early life: Gut microbiota and immune development in infancy. Beneficial Microbes. https://doi.org/10.3920/BM2010.0027
. Brands can help parents ensure their children grow up healthy by leveraging proven and trusted ingredients that support physical as well as mental development.
Whatever the positioning of your young child milk formula – supporting the immune system, helping healthy growth, encouraging cognitive development or all of the above, it’s essential to formulate with high-quality, science-backed ingredients. That’s what wins the trust of parents the world over, who prioritise their children’s health above all else.
Research reveals what parents need the most support with, when it comes to early childhood nutrition. What health issues are parents and healthcare professionals around the globe witnessing?
Worldwide, 50% of children under the age of five suffer from micronutrient deficiencies.
Healthcare professionals state that immune-related symptoms such as fever, runny nose and cough are most frequently reported by parents of children aged 1-3 years.
Across all countries surveyed in a recent exclusive global study, immune health was one of the top three concerns for parents with children aged 3-5.
But parental priorities change between countries with this age group: vitamin and mineral deficiency is more important to parents in the UK and emerging markets, whereas muscle development tops the table in the USA.
In France and China, emotional wellbeing ranks very highly for parents of young children, but it falls outside the top five concerns in Indonesia.
A recent parental insights survey in Indonesia and Vietnam showed that ready-to-drink solutions represent 40% of the complementary food given by parents to their children, with the main drivers being to support ‘growth and development’ and ‘immune health’.
Get in touch
FrieslandCampina Ingredients is proud to play a global leadership role in the young child formula industry, backed by over 75 years of experience in ingredients manufacturing and research in early life nutrition. We never stop bringing the future forward through innovation —get in touch for more exclusive insights from parents and HCPs.
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