This means that the product is suitable to be used on its own as a complete source of all macro-nutrients and micro-nutrients required by the child’s body. Products such as these provide a single format of intake for children who may not be able to consume a normal diet, due to health reasons, or who may be missing specific nutrients that are difficult to determine. In cases where children are ill, products that are a sole source of essential nutrients can help them to recover faster and get them back on track to normal growth again.

Little Étoile® Clinical Nutrition Stage 4 formula has been scientifically formulated to meet the specific nutritional needs of children aged 2-6 years for optimal development. Especially suitable for children who:

• Require additional nutrition (on top of their everyday diet) to achieve optimal growth and development
• Need nutrient support for bone and muscle development and optimal height gain
• Have special nutritional needs, including children with:
  • Anorexia, rickets, general malnourishment, illness and/or recovering
  • Inability to consume normal foods, and requiring nutrient delivery by tube feeding
  • Lack of access to regular food, such as when the family is travelling or away from home.

In compliance with Little Étoile’s proprietary Opti-5 System Principles, this product must be a source of “balanced, complete and comprehensive” nutrition for children in this age range.

Scientific research has established that the first 6 years of a child’s life play a significant role for health and development in later years. The body has the most rapid growth rate during this stage; and it is important to maintain this, to prevent delays that impact on later stages. For optimum development, adequate and balanced nutrition during this period is essential to maximize the potential of future growth, health, and development especially for the immune system, brain development and height development.

Little Étoile Optimum Growing-Up 4 is scientifically formulated to meet the “Sole Source of Nutrition” standards. According to FSANZ, “Sole Source of Nutrition” products must satisfy strict requirements for their content of essential nutrients. Some micronutrients (also called trace nutrients, because the body doesn’t need very much) are less commonly present in nutrient supplements or fortified foods for children, but they are nevertheless critical for growth and development, and help prevent undernutrition and failure to thrive.

Therefore, in addition to special nutrients such as Wellmune® Beta-glucan, Lutein and omega-3 DHA, this formula also has 10 nutrients that are less commonly found in formula products, specifically Copper, Chromium, Molybdenum, Manganese, Selenium, Choline, Vitamin B5, Biotin, Vitamin K and Potassium.

Yes, our stage 4 formula is suitable for children when they resume their normal dietary habits. It can provide a complementary source of nutrients to a balanced diet and regular physical activity. But if you are unsure if it is suitable or required, check with your health professional adviser about the best option for your child.

No. All our milk formula products contain no added sugars in the form of sucrose (table sugar), fructose, starches or syrups. The carbohydrates in our formulas come from lactose, the natural sugar present in milk, which is a source of glucose and galactose. It is available at levels that are necessary to meet energy requirements as specified by FSANZ and WHO. Our toddler formulas also contain no added dextrose, corn-syrup, maltodextrin or other refined sources of saccharides. Note: all toddler formulas are required to have sufficient carbohydrates (which equates to glucose) for energy, but over-consumption of refined sugars may lead to obesity, so parent supervision is recommended.

Both Lactoferrin and beta-glucan have important immunity benefits and have been proven safe in scientific studies on children. These studies have shown improvements in how children, especially from 1-4 years of age, recover from gut and respiratory infections. We believe that clinical nutrition benefits from the use of clinically trialled ingredients like these.

Our Little Étoile Optimum Growing Up Formula contains the special immune active ingredients, Lactoferrin and Wellmune® beta-glucan, to support immune system function.

Together with nutrients that are beneficial to the immune system such as vitamin C, D, A, Zinc and Iron, Little Étoile Nutrition Stage 4 Formula supports your child’s normal immune system function. This is especially important during the early years while your child is building up their acquired immunity. When children gather in educational settings such as kindergarten or schools, their exposure to pathogens increases. By supporting their nutritional status, you allow their body to be equipped to fight off and recover from common childhood illnesses.

Little Étoile Nutrition Growing Up Formula can be used not just as a drink but to add into foods such as smoothies, porridge, cereal, or yoghurt for added nutrition. Make it into a chocolate milkshake by adding a small amount of cocoa or turn it into a strawberry thick shake by blending in a handful of fresh or frozen strawberries.

Both Lactoferrin and Wellmune® beta-glucan have been proven safe and effective in scientific studies on children. Most importantly, the immune system during early childhood is still developing and responding to triggers, as children begin to interact more socially such as attending kindergarten or school, which increases the spread of bacteria and virus. Lactoferrin and Wellmune® beta-glucan are important for immune support in our stage 3 and 4 formulas.

Lutein is a type of antioxidant concentrated in dark green leafy vegetables (not something your toddler is likely to be enjoying!). Being an antioxidant, lutein helps to prevent oxidative damage to the developing retina and brain, supporting eye health, vision and cognition.

Lutein also protects your toddler’s eye by acting as a blue-light filter, which becomes important when we consider that blue light is harmful to developing eyes. The retina and macula of your toddlers eyes are responsible for the development of detailed vision, and lutein helps to protect and support this essential development.

Lutein also plays a protective role in your toddler’s brain and cognitive development, by helping to prevent free radical damage of DHA which is needed in high concentrations for brain and eye development during the first 3 years of life.

Read more about this topic

• Building Blocks Series – Lutein for babies
• How does lutein protect eyes in infants and children?

During early childhood, your little one’s eyes are still developing, and their vision is constantly improving. Vitamin A in the form of retinal makes up a structural component of the cells in the retina, needed for healthy eye development and vision support. Vitamin A from beta-carotene also plays an essential role in regulating the immune system as well as improving the structural integrity of the gut lining for digestive health. While toddlers build their immune system by encountering each new pathogen, it’s important to maintain healthy vitamin A levels through dietary sources of beta-carotene.

Read more about this topic

• The importance of beta-carotene in a bub’s diet

Studies show that grass-fed milk contains a superior fatty acid profile, favouring the beneficial omega-3 fatty acid DHA, as well as higher concentrations of vitamins A and E.

• Grass fed vs conventional milk