What age is a2 stage 1 suitable for? What is the difference between a2 stage 1 and stage 2?

a2 milk powder is a very famous imported milk powder brand from Australia and New Zealand. We all know that New Zealand's milk source is very pure, and many imported milk powders come from there. Many people like Australia and New Zealand a2 milk powder, which is very nutritious, but the price is relatively high.

a2 milk powder is divided into 4 stages: stage 1 is for children aged 0-6 months, stage 2 is for children aged 7-12 months, stage 3 is for children aged 1-2 years old, and stage 4 is for children aged 2 years and above.

1. Stage 1 milk powder is suitable for babies aged 0-6 months

Stage 1 milk powder contains all the nutrients needed for the growth and development of infants aged 0-6 years old, including protein, carbohydrates, fat, various vitamins and trace elements. At this time, every 100ml of milk contains about 1.5g of protein, 3.5g of fat and about 7.4g of carbohydrates. This is mainly because infants cannot take in too much protein, especially high protein, at this time, otherwise it will increase the burden on the baby's kidneys.

2. Stage 2 milk powder is suitable for babies aged 7-12 months

In order to adapt to the growing physical needs of babies, the second stage milk powder has adjusted its nutritional formula, increased the energy provided by every 100ml of milk, and strengthened the content of trace elements and minerals. However, some nutrients, such as DHA and calcium, are not as high as those in the first stage because their effects on babies are gradually weakened. The formula has been adjusted to be more suitable for the physical needs of babies around 1 year old. At this time, the protein content of every 100ml of milk is about 2.4g, fat 3.5g and carbohydrates 7.9g. The content of Na+ has also been increased because babies at this stage can eat a small amount of salt. Choline and iron have also been added. Choline can increase memory, and iron can increase the oxygen supply to the baby's brain cells and the baby's nerve development.

a2 milk powder is the most expensive milk powder on the Australian market. It is the only infant formula milk powder in the world that contains 100% natural A2 β-casein. It is more popular than Aptamil milk powder in Australia and is also highly sought after by domestic mothers. The following editor will talk about a2 milk powder in detail from four aspects:

Formula: In addition to the DHA and prebiotics found in regular milk powder, A2 milk powder also contains 100% natural A2 β-casein. This protein is unique and makes this milk powder more suitable for the baby's delicate digestive system than regular milk powder. If the baby digests well, he will not have diarrhea and will absorb nutrients well, which is very beneficial for growth and development. Currently, this milk powder is the only certified milk powder on the market that contains 100% A2 source milk formula. This is the killer feature of a2 milk powder.

Popular Science: A2 Beta-Casein

①What is A2 β-casein?

The proteins in milk are mainly divided into two categories: whey protein and casein. Casein is further divided into beta-casein, kappa-casein and alpha-casein. Beta-casein accounts for about 30% of the total protein and is an important source of amino acids. It also delivers important minerals (such as calcium and phosphorus) in the body to promote digestion and absorption. There are two main variants of beta-casein, namely A1 beta-casein and A2 beta-casein.

②What is the difference between A2 β-casein and A1 β-casein?

A2 β-casein is the natural prototype of modern dairy cow β-casein. Later, due to natural gene mutation, a variant of A1 protein appeared, and through extensive grazing, A1 β-casein is commonly found in dairy cows around the world today.

There are differences in the protein structure of A1 and A2 β-casein. A1 can produce β-casomorphin-7 (BCM-7) during digestion, while A2 does not produce BCM-7. It is this structural difference that makes A2 β-casein closer to the protein in natural breast milk than A1.

BCM-7 is an exorphin that interacts with multiple systems in the body. Several studies have shown that there is a correlation between A1 or BCM-7 and increased risk of type 1 diabetes, immune response, digestive disorders, autism and respiratory dysfunction in some infants. Other studies have shown that A2 β-casein does not produce BCM-7 and is similar to β-casein in breast milk. Formula milk based on A2 β-casein does not contain A1 β-casein, so it may be closer to breast milk and more conducive to promoting the growth and development of infants and young children.

③Why is A2 β-casein rare?

Because the source of A2 β-casein milk is very rare. Not all cows can produce milk containing only pure A2 β-casein without A1 β-casein. Today, only about 30% of Western dairy cows are pure A2 cows, and the milk they produce contains only 100% pure A2 β-casein.

To select genetically pure A2 cows and ensure the production of qualified A2 milk requires extremely high technology and a professional quality inspection system. Currently, only A2 Co., Ltd. in the world has this professional technology. This technical barrier is bound to further lead to the rarity of A2 β-casein.

④What are the advantages of A2 β-casein?

A2 β-casein is a naturally derived milk protein; A2 β-casein is closer to breast milk protein than A1; A2 β-casein can reduce interference with the human digestive system and can more naturally protect digestion and absorption; A2 β-casein does not produce BCM-7, and is closer to β-casein in breast milk than A1, which is more beneficial to the long-term growth and development of infants and young children.

Milk source: a2 milk comes from the nobles among the "milk sources" - rare A2 cows, which account for only about 30% of the world's total! These a2 cows are located on the highest quality pastures in the Canterbury Plains of South Island, New Zealand.

"A2 cows" are purebred A2 cows whose β-casein genes have not mutated, selected through strict genetic screening using A2's globally patented gene identification technology. The milk produced by A2 cows contains 100% only A2-β-casein and no A1-β-casein. Each A2 cow has an independent file to track its health. Once a cow has a health problem, it will be isolated and treated to ensure that every drop of milk is healthy.

The nutrients in a2 milk powder are beneficial for cultivating healthy blood, improving the immune system, vision, muscle and nerve function, maintaining healthy skin, and promoting the healthy growth of all parts of the body. a2 milk is easier to digest and absorb by the human body, and will not cause milk intolerance.

Segmentation: Each country has strict regulations on the segmentation of infant formula, so the segmentation of Australian formula is also unified in Australia, and the specification is also unified at 900g. All Australian formula is divided into only three stages. The first two stages are for newborns aged 0-12 months, and the third stage is for babies aged 1-3 years. The detailed segmentation of a2 formula is as follows:

a2 milk powder stage 1: 0-6 months old babies (900g)

a2 milk powder stage 2: 6-12 months old baby (900g)

a2 milk powder stage 3: 1-3 years old baby (900g)

Price: A2 milk powder is relatively expensive. The latest A2 Platinum premium infant milk powder launched in Australia is known as the Hermes of infant milk powder! Even the jar has a silver frosted bottom, and the formula list is so long~

The price of A2 milk powder varies according to the different stages. Stage 1 and stage 2 are usually more expensive, while stage 3 is cheaper. Generally, it costs more than 100 yuan to buy it locally in Australia. It should not exceed 300 yuan per can if you find a purchasing agent or e-commerce in China. However, because a2 milk powder has introduced the Chinese version, if you buy it directly from the Chinese version, the price is doubled, usually around 400 yuan per can. Mothers can buy it according to their own situation.

1. Mothers should wash their hands before preparing milk powder.

2. Boil or sterilize all feeding utensils. Boil nipples, bottle caps, bottles and other feeding utensils for 5-10 minutes, and put nipples in the water for 3 minutes after boiling.

3. Boil drinking water and adjust it to an appropriate temperature (40-60℃ is appropriate) when mixing. Drop the water on the inside of your wrist until it is slightly higher than body temperature.

2. How to prepare a2 milk powder and choose the amount of milk powder

Use the measuring spoon in the a2 milk powder can to measure the milk powder, and use a knife to scrape the milk powder flat along the edge of the measuring spoon. Please make sure the knife is clean. One level spoon is about 7.5 grams of milk powder, and one level spoon adds 50ml of water. For the specific amount of milk powder to add, please follow the instructions on the milk powder can:

A2 milk powder stage 1 (for babies aged 0-6 months):

Babies aged 0-4 weeks: 50 ml water + 1 level scoop of milk powder, feed 7-9 times a day;

Babies aged 2-8 weeks: 100 ml water + 2 level scoops of milk powder, feed 5-6 times a day;

2-4 month old babies: 150 ml water + 3 level scoops of milk powder, feed 5-6 times a day;

Babies aged 4-6 months: 200 ml of water + 4 level scoops of milk powder, feed 4-5 times a day.

a2 milk powder stage 2 (for babies aged 6-12 months):

Babies aged 6-9 months: 250 ml of water + 5 level scoops of milk powder, feed 3-4 times a day.

Babies aged 9-12 months: 200 ml of water + 4 level scoops of milk powder, feed 3-4 times a day.

a2 milk powder stage 3 (babies aged 1-3 years):

Babies 1-3 years old: 150 ml of water + 3 level spoons of milk powder, feed 2-4 times a day.

3. How to prepare a2 milk powder

1. After selecting the right amount of milk powder, pour it into the bottle, add slightly cooled boiled water (the water temperature should be 40-60℃ and the water volume should be appropriate) into the bottle, carefully press on the nipple and cover the bottle cap to prevent the milk powder from spraying out, and shake the bottle in circles to dissolve the milk powder.

2. After pressing the nipple and gently shaking the bottle, soak the bottle in cold water to cool the milk to about 40 degrees Celsius. Be sure to check the temperature of the milk. Drop a small amount of milk on the inside of your wrist. The temperature of about 40 degrees Celsius, where the skin feels warm, is the most suitable.

3. Observe the milk flow from the nipple and adjust the tightness of the bottle cap so that the baby can hold the entire nipple in his mouth.

4. When feeding your baby milk powder, raise the baby's head and choose the posture that is easiest for the baby to drink milk, such as the baby sitting upright or lying on an adult's shoulder. Be careful not to let the baby drink the air in the bottle. You can pat the baby's back to release the air and prevent hiccups or milk spilling.

5. After the baby finishes drinking, the bottle should be cleaned as soon as possible, especially the bottle and bottle plug should be disassembled and cleaned. If there is any milk left, it can be given to adults to drink or poured away.