Understanding HMOs in Infant Formula
Feeding your baby comes with lots of questions, especially when it comes to what’s in infant formula. One topic you may have seen on labels or heard in conversations about breast milk is HMOs. Here's what they are and why they matter, explained in simple terms and backed by decades of infant nutrition research.
What are HMOs?
HMOs, or human milk oligosaccharides, are a type of special carbohydrates naturally found in breast milk. In breast milk, HMOs are actually one of the most abundant carbohydrates, coming right after lactose. That means they play an important role in helping babies grow and stay healthy.
Think of HMOs as prebiotics—they feed the ‘good’ bacteria in your baby’s tummy and help support their immune system. They are not digested like proteins or fats, but they play a big role in supporting your baby’s health.
Why are HMOs important?
In the early months, much of your baby’s immune system is built in the gut. HMOs help create a healthy environment for 'good’ bacteria to grow, which plays a key role in supporting immune health and digestion. Research has also shown that HMOs may help contribute to overall gut health.
How are HMOs used in infant formula?
While breast milk naturally contains dozens of different HMOs, infant formulas can include versions of these special carbohydrates that are scientifically created to have the same structure and benefits. These HMOs are made through a safe, carefully designed process and not made from human milk.
Formulas with HMOs are designed to help support some similar immune and gut health benefits seen in breastfed babies. These HMOs are added to complement the other nutrients in formula that help babies grow and thrive.
Are HMOs safe?
Yes. HMOs used in infant formula have been studied for decades and must meet the same strict safety and quality standards required of all infant formula ingredients in the U.S. They’re also designed to be structurally similar to those naturally found in breast milk, helping bridge one of the gaps between formula and breast milk nutrition.
Bottom line
HMOs are one of the ways formula aims to mimic the unique nutrition of breast milk. These special carbohydrates help support your baby’s gut health and developing immune system. HMOs in infant formula are well-studied and made through safe processes to deliver similar benefits to those found in breast milk.