Vented bottles prevent nutrient loss in breast milk and infant formula

Dec 14 2010

A recently published University of Nevada study indicates that both breast milk and infant formula should be protected from the air to reduce the impact of oxidation on essential nutrients, including vitamins A and E.  An earlier phase of the study showed similar impacts on Vitamin C.  

The study, "Decreasing retinol and [alpha]-tocopherol concentrations in human milk and infant formula using varied bottle systems," has been published in the Journal of Maternal and Child Nutrition. It shows that milk and formula should be handled with care and that choice of bottles can make a difference in baby's nutrition.  In the study, vented bottles such as Dr. Brown's maintained nutrients better than several other common bottles.

The research went beyond traditional concerns about keeping milk and formula fresh to examine the nutritional impacts of air exposure and time.  Vitamin A and E occur naturally in breast milk and are added to formula – both are essential for proper growth and development in children.

The study compared undisturbed breast milk and formula against the same contents in top-selling baby bottles.  An electric pump was used to simulate baby's suckling for the test.  The undisturbed samples and the Dr. Brown's bottles were shown to have the least oxidation and, subsequently, the least rapid loss of nutrients.

The patented vent in the Dr. Brown's bottle prevents air from passing through the breast milk or formula during feeding. Less air and fewer bubbles create less oxidation. The manufacturer of Dr. Brown's bottles funded the study, which was conducted in an academic research setting and its findings peer reviewed by two separate journals. "We are absolutely devoted to making the best possible bottle for babies," said Carolyn Hentschell, Dr. Brown's president.  "Air contributes to colic and stomach upset, and now we know it diminishes the nutrition of baby's milk. Clearly there is no room in the bottle for air and bubbles."