PLEASE DON'T SKIP THE UPDATE AT THE BOTTOM. The rest of the review has been left unedited.
Like many others, my first instinct was to be very skeptical of this formula. Heck, I'm still partly skeptical but have certainly reached the point of "if there is any chance it is half as good as it seems, for the price, it's worth it." The basic premise is that adding bovine MFGM, a mixture of lipids (think - cell membranes and mitrochondria) and proteins closely resembling that found in breast milk, to formula will narrow the gap between formula and breast milk. My search to the legitimacy of this claim took me to 3 articles in particular, all centered around a randomized trial conducted in Sweden with a similar MFGM-based formula (not Enfamil in particular, but to my knowledge the Enfamil is the only formula with MFGM we have for consumer purchase at this time)
1. Timby Am J Clinc Nutr 2014 - a Swedish randomized controlled trial MFGM formula and neurodevelopment, nutrition and growth (this is a very reputable journal)
- Starting off on the journal investigating the Swedish trial, researchers took 160 infants less than 2 months of age and randomly assigned them (double-blinded (the parents and researchers didn't know which formula they were receiving)) to be fed an MFGM-supplemented, low-energy, low-protein experimental formula (EF) or a standard formula (SF) until 6 months of age. They used the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, a well validated test of cognitive function in kids, to assess the neurodevelopment of the kids (I can tell you from my job that this test is respected and is used, for example, to assess cognitive function in kids long-term after radiation therapy in national clinical trials). Cutting to the chase, the researchers found "no significant differences in linear growth, weight gain, body mass iindex, percentage body fat, or head circumference were found between the EF and SF groups" but the cognitive function was better in the EF group and breast-fed control group (another 80 kids) than the SF group (average scores of 105.8, 106.4, and 101.8 on the Bayley scale). Not 100% conclusive that the formula made the difference, but intriguing...
2. Timby JPGN 2015 - MFGM fomula and infant infections
- if you're reading this, you likely know that breast milk supplies antibodies to the baby, something I highly doubt we will be able to commercially replicate in formula during my lifetime. It was thought for many years (and continues to be thought) that this leads to fewer infections in breast milk-fed babies compared to formula-fed babies, for instance with ear infections. That's not the goal with the Enfamil Enspire and it wasn't the goal with the formula used in the Swedish trial. Instead, these formulas have added lactoferrin, a protein of the innate immune system (think - attacks whatever is foreign, in general doesn't retain memory of previous invaders). Lactoferrin is a tricky little bugger, something we still don't understand completely but incredibly fascinating nonetheless (for your reading pleasure, you might consider looking up the research into lactoferrin and detecting inflammatory bowel disease). By adding lactoferrin to the formula, the Swedish researchers thought they might see fewer infections. They looked at ear infections in their sample of 160 kids. What did they find? A statistically significant difference (1% v 9%) in the MFGM formula-fed infants compared to the standard formula-fed infants. For fairness, THIS DOES NOT prove that the lactoferrin or the MFGM-based formula led to fewer infections (the original design of the trial was not to assess this endpoint), but it is interesting...
3. Timby Ped Res 2014 - Cardiovascular risk markers in the Swedish Trial (this is from a daughter journal of Nature, a very very reputable scientific journal)
- For brevity, the researchers from the Swedish trial found that kids fed the MFGM-based formula had similar lipid profiles to the breast-fed control-group babies, with both of those groups being quite different from the standard formula group. They went on to comment on the potential long-term effect on obesity, atherosclerosis, and inflammatory reactivity in general, but that was pretty much all a bunch of talk without strong scientific backing. It is interesting nonetheless
And finally, after all that reading and more, my wife and I decided to just taste it. Comparing this Enspire formula to the standard yellow-tin Enfamil formula, the Enspire without a doubt tastes better. I like that my little guy does have to drink the metallic testing standard formula anymore
So to summarize, there may be a chance that this formula legitimately narrows the gap between breast milk and formula in terms of cognitive development in infancy and infection rates. The data is not 100% conclusive but is very interesting. You could read for hours on this stuff, just be cautious to stay to reputable journals. When we broke down the cost for our little guy based upon how much he eats, for the 6 months we'd be supplementing him with this formula, it was going to cost us about $400 more than the standard formula. Well worth it in our opinion if it will help him a tenth as much as those articles suggest it will. Feel free to reply with questions and I will respond as time permits
UPDATE: I've been looking more into this, mainly because my wife is (understandably) frustrated with the cost of this formula. If you search in Google, you may find the patent on using MFGM in formula (patent EP 2509429 A1). I'm not sure how Enfamil relates to this patent (whether they own it, etc) and won't comment on that, but it may explain why we aren't seeing it in other brands, and it may explain the high cost of this formula (I won't say they are monopolizing... I won't say it). That patent description from google.com/patents is very interesting, though. It basically says they think the MFGM is most beneficial over standard formula in pre-term infants and in other infants during the first few weeks of life, during a sensitive time in development of the immune system. It goes on to talk about probiotics in formulas (which you can get in many other brands) but left me believing that it is totally reasonable to ditch this expensive brand once your kid is eating a reasonable amount of solid foods. In the end, once your child is eating a significant amount of solids (e.g. during the last few months of his/her first year), the content of those solids will likely more than make up for the MFGM v non-MFGM formula difference. Thanks for reading
#1 WITH OUT A DOUBT BREAST FEEDING #2 EU BABY FORMULA'S (Lebenswert )(holle)(Hipp) #3 Enfamil (Enspire) non-GMO. My son 2mo breast feed as much as we possible can but Mom cannot keep up with his demands , we need to supplement.. THE USA BABY FORMULA MARKET is a disaster loaded with garbage I wouldn't feed my dog. With that said from my research I can say this, Enspire would get 5 stars if they dropped the soy products from this line Its a shame how much Iron is in this. Obtaining EU baby formulas is risky and not as easy as some may think. EU regulators play no games with baby formula and the products produced are amazing. If your going to use formula from the USA Enfamil (Enspire) is a great choice. If you can get EU formula jump on it... another USA alternative Similac Pro (non-gmo) is acceptable anything else is trash loaded with corn syrup
My baby was exclusively breastfed for two months until I went back to work. I supplemented until I left for military duty for almost one month when she was four months old. It is pricey but well worth it. Prebiotics and probiotics - yes. Immune system support - yes. No GMO - yes. No artificial sweetner - yes. Supports brain development - yes. My baby has never had a fever and she is nearing seven months old. She took to it quite easily and loves it. No real gas issues and is poops regularly. Highly recommend to anybody. Expensive but like I said, worth it. We just find other places to cut money from.
I can’t say enough about this formula. I exclusively breastfed for 8 months and tried to transition my baby with Enfamil prosobee (which I used with my second child). Needless to say, I was put into a predicament when my baby developed his 2 bottom teeth, haha. I’ve heard that once your baby has had breast milk, that’s like the Cadillac of all milk. Who wants to go to a pinto when you’ve had the Cadillac? So I ended up throwing away the prosobee and going with this jewel of a formula (suggested by a daycare worker). I cannot get this formula from our Walmart Supercenter so I decided to take a chance and order this formula from Amazon. THANK THE LORD I DID! I transitioned my baby slowly and in no time we were completely off breast milk and drinking Enfamil Enspire. This is an expensive brand but with it being the “closest to breast milk” I am HOOKED! Not to mention the baby!! This formula has a lot of the properties that’s in breast milk and is a Heaven-sent formula. I am so glad I took a chance on this amazing formula. I had to let all you moms know out there that are having to think of supplementing/transitioning from the breast that this is GOD-SEND! Don’t hesitate to buy! You won’t be sorry!!
After having to go back on antidepressants, I was so sad that I couldn’t breastfeed my son anymore. So I got to googling and saw this brand of formula. I love it, and my son drinks it well after being exclusively breastfed. It’s a bit pricy, but you get what you pay for.
Feature Product
- Contains 1 - 20.5 ounce container of baby formula milk powder
- First and only baby formula in the US containing the ingredients Lactoferrin and MFGM making Enfamil Enspire our closest ever infant formula to breast milk
- Lactoferrin is a protein found in colostrum and breast milk that provides immune support and intestinal development, and MFGM has been shown to support mental development. Omega 3 DHA and Choline are brain support nutrients also found in breast milk
- Proprietary blend of baby probiotics designed to provide immune support, and clinically proven to promote digestive health
- Brought to you by Enfamil, the #1 Pediatrician Recommended Brand*
- Enspire is a non-GMO baby formula with iron that is designed to provide complete nutrition for babies through 12 months
Description
Enfamil Enspire Baby Formula with iron is an inspired way to nourish. Enspire has MFGM and Lactoferrin for brain support, two key components found in breast milk, making it our closest infant formula ever to breast milk. Lactoferrin is a protein found in colostrum and breast milk that provides immune support and intestinal development, and MFGM has been shown to support mental development. Enspire is a non-GMO† milk powder baby formula that is designed to provide complete nutrition, with omega 3 DHA, Choline, and our proprietary blend of probiotics, for babies through 12 months. †Not made with genetically modified ingredients, but trace amounts of genetically engineered materials may be present in the product from manufacturing environments and process sources. *QuintilesIMS, using the ProVoice Survey fielded from Janurary 2017 to December 31, 2017.
Besides the price, the formula was great! My baby loved it. I used it to supplement when I started not producing as much breastmilk then eventually transitioned her to solely formula once I was out. My baby had no issues using this formula.
started with gentleease after 2 days I decided to switch to inspire..since my wife have little breast milk..My baby loves this milk. the problem is I will transition him back to gentleease when he's 8 months old..since I bought alot on the same day I brought him home.lol.my first baby too excited
Tried similac gentle something when she came home since the hospital provided it. Did a ton of research on formulas and was worried the baby wouldn’t like it sins either she was used to similac. I wasn’t happy with similac, since she wouldn’t have a bowel movement for 2 days and when she was on breast milk, she was doing that more than once a day. Switched to this and her poop looked more like breast milk and she went every day! Seems like a ridiculous thing to be happy about, but when she dropped a duece, we dropped a beat and danced in celebration!
Our 2 month old seems to be doing ok with having 2 oz of breast milk and 2 oz of formula combo in preparation for me to go back to work. I wanted to make sure the first formula ingredient was not corn syrup solids, so to me the extra cost was worth it. I will update if she has any issues!
After exclusively breast-feeding for six months I decided to begin my little one on formula. I would give her this formula for part of the day and then breast milk part of the day (to start her off). With my first daughter I had so much trouble switching her to formula so I was really nervous with this one. However, She really loved this formula. Had absolutely no problem with it at all. It’s definitely more expensive than other formulas but it was worth it to me to have her completely comfortable with it all the time.
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