Human milk fortifier is a supplement used to increase the calories, protein, vitamins and minerals in breast milk fed to premature babies or babies with a low birth weight. Human milk fortifier can be added to breast milk in varying amounts to adjust its calories per ounce to meet your doctor's specifications. This product helps babies receive breast milk that provides the higher level of nutrition they need to grow and thrive. Three main companies manufacture human milk fortifier: Enfamil, Prolacta and Similac.
Enfamil
Enfamil's human milk fortifier can add an additional 2 calories per ounce when one packet is added to 50 ml of breast milk or an extra 4 calories when two packets are mixed in. Enfamil's product contains medium-chain triglycerides oil and both milk and whey protein isolates. It contains calcium phosphate, calcium glycerophosphate and calcium gluconate. Vitamins and minerals are also included for supplemental nutrition. Vitamin A, vitamin D3, vitamin E, vitamin K1, vitamin B12, thiamine, riboflavin and vitamin B6 are added to help meet the nutritional needs of premature babies. Niacin, folic acid, calcium, biotin, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, cupric sulfate, sodium, potassium chloride and potassium citrate are also included.
Similac
Similac also manufactures a powdered human milk fortifier. Similac's version contains nonfat milk and whey protein to provide 2.1 g of protein in every packet. Corn syrup solids, medium chain triglycerides, calcium phosphate and potassium citrate are added along with additional vitamins and minerals. Magnesium, sodium citrate, calcium, sodium chloride, potassium, zinc, iron, cupric sulfate, manganese and sodium selenate are the minerals added to Similac human milk fortifier. Vitamins include vitamin A, vitamin D3, d-alpha-tocopheryl acetate, phylloquinone, riboflavin, thiamin, pyridoxine, cyanocobalamin, folic acid, niacin, biotin, ascorbic acid and m-inositol.
Prolacta
Prolacta is different from other varieties of human milk fortifier. Prolacta is made of concentrated human milk instead of cow or soy milk. It comes in four different forms to add an additional 4, 6, 8 or 10 calories per ounce to breast milk. Prolacta contains primarily human milk and a mixture of vitamins and minerals. Calcium glycerophosphate, calcium gluconate, sodium citrate, potassium citrate and calcium chloride are included in the formula. Magnesium phosphate, zinc sulfate and cupric acid complete the list.
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