| abstract |
A multi-nutrient fortifier for supplementing breastfed infants is provided. The fortifier can be sterilized and can be formulated for delivery after hospital discharge. The fortifier is designed to supplement infants to meet the specific needs such as maintaining appropriate and safe levels of fat soluble vitamins and minerals, to incorporate vitamins normally requiring additional supplementation, such as vitamins A, D, E or iron for breastfed infants, to facilitate delivery of calcium and phosphorous salts. According to an embodiment of the invention, the fortifier can be in a concentrated liquid form, is sterile, and delivers greater than about 44% protein, by weight, and greater than about 17% protein, by weight, when analyzed in combination with breast milk. The fortifier can be used to improve growth and body composition of a breastfed infant post hospital discharge, such as a low birth weight infant, a post-surgical infant, or an ill term-born infant. |