THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF HUMAN MILK OLIGOSACCHARIDES (HMOs) IN BABY’S DEVELOPMENT

HMOs are a type of prebiotics previously only found in breast milk—and they work in unique ways other prebiotics cannot.

THE MOST ABUNDANT solid component in breast milk, after fats and lactose.
The Components of Breast Milk Infographic The Components of Breast Milk Infographic

ALL PREBIOTICS ARE NOT THE SAME

HMOs ARE IMMUNE-NOURISHING PREBIOTICS WITH UNIQUE STRUCTURES NATURALLY FOUND IN HUMAN MILK 

Emerging science shows HMOs support baby's body in several ways: 

IMMUNE HEALTH    |     COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT    |    DIGESTIVE HEALTH

HMOs 
Human Milk Oligosaccharides

Human Milk Oligosaccharides Human Milk Oligosaccharides

OTHER PREBIOTICS, NOT FOUND IN HUMAN MILK, like GOS, FOS, and PDX, are added to infant formulas to try to mimic the unique benefits of HMOs. But research indicates that they do not function the same way as HMOs in baby's body, due to their structures.

Human Milk Oligosaccharides Human Milk Oligosaccharides

HMOs PROVIDE IMMUNE SUPPORT

HMOs PLAY 3 IMPORTANT ROLES to support baby’s developing immune system, in unique ways other prebiotics cannot.

 

3 WAYS HMOs WORK

HMOs Provide Immune Support HMOs Provide Immune Support

FIRST INFANT FORMULA BRAND WITH HMOs

 SIMILAC® PRO-SERIESENFAMIL INFANT FORMULAS
Has HMOs, the most abundant solid component in breast milk after fats and lactose
First leading formula with 2'-FL HMO for immune support
Backed by more than 25 years of HMO research
2 FL HMO Drop 2 FL HMO Drop

IN A CLINICAL STUDY OF SIMILAC WITH 2'-FL HMO:

✔  Reported significantly fewer respiratory infections 1,2,‡

✔  Shown to support immune cell response to RSV more like the breastfed infant 3,§

WHEN RECOMMENDING A FORMULA, CHOOSE SIMILAC WITH 2'-FL HMO FOR IMMUNE SUPPORT

Similac Pro-Advance, Similac Pro-Sensitive and Similac Pro-Total Comfort Similac Pro-Advance, Similac Pro-Sensitive and Similac Pro-Total Comfort

* In most mother's milk.
† Not from human milk.
‡ Similac with 2'-FL HMO compared to control formula without 2'-FL HMO, based on a post hoc analysis of adverse events.
§ Study with Similac Pro-Advance®; using cells from infant’s blood that were challenged with RSV ex vivo.
|| Based on pediatrician recommendations.
Enfamil is not a registered trademark of Abbott.

References: 1. Marriage BJ, et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2015;61(6):649–658. 2. Reverri EJ, et al. Nutrients. 2018;10(10):1346. 3. Goehring KC, et al. J Nutr. 2016;146(12):2559–2566.