Caring for Your Child

Among Abbott researchers are scientific leaders in infant nutrition, developing hallmark products that deliver meaningful clinical benefits to infants throughout the world. Our broad line of pediatric products provides babies with excellent nutrition for growth and development, and is clinically proven to aid brain, bone and immune system development. Specialty formulations include products for premature and low-birth-weight infants and products for infants and children with special tolerance or nutritional needs.

Milk-based and soy-based infant formulas

Our innovations are based on combining the science of nutrition with advanced technology. Among these are adding two nutrients that play a key role in visual and mental development, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA), to our infant lines for healthy and preterm infants.

Organic infant formula

More and more families today are choosing organic options as a part of a healthy lifestyle. This is especially true for moms who want to give their children a strong start in life by encouraging them to eat healthy, natural foods.

Today, an organic lifestyle can begin at birth. Supported by Abbott’s long history of clinical studies and experience in developing infant formulas, Similac® Organic infant formula with Iron powder was developed and launched in the United States in 2006, while Similac Organic infant formula with Iron, ready-to-feed liquid was launched in 2007.

Caring for children with vomiting and diarrhea

Although parents often view vomiting and diarrhea as mere nuisances, these unpleasant symptoms can be very serious if not treated properly. In fact, diarrhea claims the lives of nearly 2 million children world wide each year.

In an effort to develop a safe and effective single solution for use in the treatment of dehydration, Abbott scientists developed a ready-to-feed oral electrolyte solution, called Pedialyte®, in 1966. Unlike the powder-based solutions available for treating dehydration at that time, Pedialyte was developed in liquid form, eliminating the need for available clean water.

Originally packaged in an 8-oz. glass bottle, Pedialyte was the first Abbott Nutrition product manufactured in a plastic bottle with a twist cap. Today, Pedialyte’s balanced electrolytes and carbohydrates continue to help maintain fluid and electrolytes in children who have abnormal losses due to diarrhea or vomiting.

Children with special nutritional needs

According to the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics, premature and low birth weight infants are at an all-time high of 12.3 percent of infant births – and the trend is expected to continue.

In the hospital, premature and low-birth-weight infants are often breastfed and may also be fed formulas that contain greater amounts of protein, vitamins, minerals and calories than standard infant formulas to address their high nutrient needs and to promote growth.

Babies born prematurely or with low birth weight are often immunocompromised (low level of immune function) and may be at high risk for developing infections.Pre-term formulas such as Similac Special Care 30 Cal, Similac Special Care 24 Cal and NeoSure Advance, the first U.S. post-discharge formula developed for special conditions (such as prematurity), provide higher levels of protein, calories and many key vitamins and minerals in comparison to term formulas (e.g., Similac Advance). These extra nutrients are necessary for pre-term infants to catch up to term infants in overall growth.

 

Abbott is committed to the nutritional health and well-being of babies, and we advocate breastfeeding as the first choice for infants. Abbott's high-quality infant formulas help to ensure optimal infant nutrition when breast milk is not available, not chosen, is discontinued, or is supplemented. We are dedicated to the highest standards of manufacturing and marketing - and to complying with all applicable laws and regulations in the countries where we do business. This includes following the World Health Organization International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes as it is legislated and implemented locally.