Content
Mother's milk plays a critical role in the newborn baby. But it so happens that it is not absorbed by the baby's body. In such cases, the dietary supplement Lactazar can help. The benefits and harms of Lactazar for babies is a matter of concern to many parents, and it is worth considering in all the details.
Composition and mechanism of action
The inability to assimilate milk occurs due to the fact that the body of a newborn baby lacks an important gastric enzyme - lactase. The lack leads to the fact that the substances contained in milk are simply not absorbed by the stomach and intestines.
Therefore, the composition of the drug Lactazar is as follows:
- The main active ingredient of Lactazar is lactase - a high-quality, exclusively natural enzyme obtained in laboratory conditions. 150 mg of a biological additive of lactase contains at least 0.013 g - or 700 units.
- In addition to lactase, the biological supplement contains a small amount of gelatin, which easily dissolves in the stomach - it is coated with medicinal capsules.
- Also, Lactazar capsules contain titanium dioxide, magnesium stearate, maltodextrin and food coloring E 104 - or quinoline yellow. The concentration of these components is minimal - they have only an auxiliary effect.
The use of a biologically active drug lies in the fact that when it enters the stomach, the main active substance of Lactazar - the enzyme lactase - begins to break down the components of natural milk.
- Under the action of an enzyme, milk lactose breaks down into galactose and glucose, is safely absorbed by the intestinal walls, and useful substances are carried along with the blood throughout the body.
- The most important vitamins of group B are synthesized.
- The body begins to actively assimilate the elements potassium and magnesium, which are necessary for the healthy development of the gastrointestinal and cardiovascular system of the baby.
Against the background of normal assimilation of dairy components, the child returns to normal health.
Indications for the use of the drug
If the baby's body produces lactase poorly, this cannot be overlooked. The problem is accompanied by severe symptoms. Namely:
- frequent regurgitation immediately after feeding or after a while;
- painful colic in the abdomen;
- noticeable bloating and flatulence;
- nausea and vomiting after drinking breast milk;
- frequent, foamy, liquid consistency;
- restless behavior and constant crying.
The use of Lactazar in this case will be justified, since only one enzyme should eliminate all of the above problems.
The benefits of Lactazar for babies
The therapeutic effect of Lactazar on the baby's body is expressed in the fact that the biological additive:
- replenishes the lack of the necessary enzyme in the body and helps to digest natural milk without problems;
- eliminates flatulence, diarrhea, nausea and colic caused by indigestion due to a lack of lactase;
- helps to better assimilate the basic trace elements vital for the body;
- contributes to the normal synthesis of vitamins and valuable substances from incoming food;
- improves sleep and psycho-emotional state of the baby.
Release forms
The biologically active drug Lactazar is presented in pharmacies in only one form - capsules coated with a gelatinous membrane. The volume of each of them is 150 mg. One package can contain from 50 to 100 capsules - the choice depends on the financial capabilities of the parents and on how long they plan to give the drug to the baby.
It should be borne in mind that Lactazar is available in two varieties:
- for newborns and children under 7 years old;
- for adolescents from 7 years old and for adults who also often suffer from milk intolerance.
The difference between capsules for babies and for adults lies in the concentration of the main active substance in the preparation. Lactazar for children contains only 700 units of natural enzyme in one capsule, for adults the dosage is higher - 3450 units per 150 mg. It is impossible to give an "adult" drug to an infant - an excess of lactase in the body does no less harm than its lack.
Instructions for the use of Lactazar
The rules for using a dietary supplement are quite simple.
- Lactazar is given to an infant only at the same time as breast milk - or together with formula from a bottle. It makes no sense to feed the baby with a lactase-based supplement in advance, long before a meal - the benefit of the drug in this case will be zero.
- How many capsules to give a baby during feeding depends on the amount of milk. The dosage is calculated as follows - 1 capsule per 100 ml of milk or lactose infant formula.
- Despite the fact that the capsules of the drug are intended to be swallowed whole, it is strictly forbidden to give them to the child in this form. A baby who still has poor control of swallowing reflexes may choke. Before feeding the baby, the capsule is opened and the powder contained inside is poured into the milk mixture.
- When diluting Lactazar, you need to wait a couple of minutes before starting to feed the baby - the benefit will be only after the additive is completely dissolved.
What if Lactazar is to be given not with infant formula, but with mother's breast milk? In this case, before feeding, literally 1 teaspoon of milk should be drained from the breast, mixed with the active substance of the drug and fed to the baby this small portion - and then the baby should be fed with regular, "pure" breast milk.
Since the benefits of Lactazar appear directly during feeding, you need to add the drug to milk every time - including at night.
Harm and contraindications
Lactazar does not belong to the category of medicines - it is just an active food supplement. Therefore, the harm of the drug is minimal. However, there are still several contraindications.
- Allergy... In addition to lactase, there are several more components in the dietary supplement - and theoretically, each baby can react negatively. Throughout the entire intake of Lactazar, it is necessary to carefully monitor whether a rash appears on the baby's skin, whether there are other signs of individual intolerance.
- Uncontrolled intake of the drug. The amount of lactase in the body must be balanced - an excess of the enzyme will also lead to intestinal disorders. Therefore, the dosage of Lactazar for babies should be carefully monitored - and generally not prescribed a supplement without consulting a doctor.
Lactazar's analogs
Parents do not always manage to find Lactazar in pharmacies, and sometimes the drug is too expensive. In such situations, you can pay attention to supplements similar to Lactazar in action.
- Bifilux. The benefit lies in lactobacilli, which help the infant's body absorb milk and improve bowel function.
- Lactase Baby. The composition of the drug is almost completely identical to Lactazar - one of its capsules also contains 700 units of lactase, the mechanism of action of the food additive is exactly the same.
- Baby Doc. The biologically active additive of Russian production contains 600 units of lactase in 1 ml, as well as acetic acid, sodium acetate and glycerin.
Another interesting alternative is Nestlé NAN lactose-free infant formula - it contains all the unsaturated fatty acids found in breast milk, but no lactose.
Reviews
Conclusion
The benefits and harms of Lactazar for babies depend on the responsible approach of the parents. The supplement cannot be given just like that. But with an urgent need, it will help the infant's body absorb milk - this is confirmed by reviews.
