What you need to know about cow's milk for a child
Cow's milk is an excellent source of protein, calcium and calories for
growing children. However, cow's milk should not be given too early.
When can a child drink milk?
Until 6 months of age, breastfeeding is best. If you are unable to
breastfeed, you can give them formula. You can start introducing pureed foods
at 6 months, but cow's milk should not be given until 12 months or older.
Sometimes babies start weaning on their own between 6 and 12 months of
age, and sometimes moms choose to wean at that time. If you or your baby are
weaned before 12 months of age, you must give your baby formula.
After 12 months, your baby can get whole cow's milk instead of breast
milk or formula. At this age, they do not need infant formula or formula milk.
Why formula milk and not cow's milk?
Babies need nutrients from breast milk or formula to grow. As your baby
grows, your breast milk changes to meet his needs.
Breast milk also contains antibodies that help protect your baby from
disease, but breastfed babies also have a lower risk of other diseases,
including:
- Ear infections
- Asthma
- Obesity
- Type 1 diabetes
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
- Gastrointestinal problems
Cow's milk does not provide proper nutrition or any of these benefits
for your baby.
Iron. There is not enough
iron in cow's milk for your baby. This can lead to iron deficiency and anemia.
If your child does not get enough iron, this can lead to developmental delay.
Protein. Milk also contains
a lot of protein. Too much protein can stress your child's kidneys, which are
not yet fully developed.
Milk protein can also irritate the baby's intestinal mucosa, which can
cause bleeding. This can cause blood loss in the stool.
Vitamin C. Milk also lacks
vitamin C. Your baby needs vitamin C to boost his immune system and absorb
iron.
Fat. Cow's milk does not
contain the fat that children need to grow. Fat is an important source of
calories and essential vitamins for your child.
Digestion. Your baby has a
young digestive system, which means he can't digest milk as easily as breast
milk or formula.
Cow's milk or other milk instead of formula or breast milk under one
year of age may prevent your baby from growing well. Do not give your child:
- Evaporated milk
- Dried milk
- Condensed milk
- Powdered milk
- Rice milk
- Oat milk
- Almond milk
- Any drink called "milk"
How to start giving cow's milk to
children
Your baby can start drinking milk at 12 months. If you are
breastfeeding, you can gradually start weaning over several weeks. The World
Health Organization recommends that mothers breastfeed until age 2, but you can
stop earlier.
When you stop breastfeeding, you produce less breast milk. You can wean
your baby off formula and switch to cow's milk.
To give cow's milk to your baby:
- Use whole milk fortified with vitamin D.
- Start by replacing one meal a day with a non-spill cup or regular cup of whole cow's milk. If your child doesn't like it, mix 1/2 cow's milk and 1/2 breast milk or formula. Reduce the ratio slowly over time.
- Slowly replace other feeds with cow's milk until you stop breastfeeding or using formula.
- Take a few weeks to wean off. This gradually introduces your baby to the new milk and helps your body adjust. Sudden cessation of breastfeeding can cause swelling and tenderness in the breasts.
If your child does not use a bottle, start with non-spill cups or
non-spill cups instead of bottles. It is best for a baby to give up bottles at
12 months. Babies should not fall asleep with bottles as this can lead to
cavities.
Types of milk for your baby
Your baby needs a certain type of cow's milk so that he gets everything
he needs. That is how it should be:
- Whole milk
- Fortified with vitamin D
- Pasteurized
- Unflavored
- Not raw
Flavored milk has too much sugar for children.
If your baby is allergic to cow’s milk, you can give milk alternatives
like soy, almond, or oat milk. They should be:
- Unsweetened
- Unflavored
- Fortified with calcium
- Fortified with vitamin D
If you are giving your child any of these alternatives, talk to your
doctor about nutrition. These dairy products contain different vitamins. You
may need to add other foods to keep her diet balanced.
Your child can consume at least 2 servings of whole milk per day,
approximately 240 to 300 ml. They should be served as drinks, not as food.
Limit the amount of milk you drink to 700 ml of whole milk per day. When your
child is 2 years old, they can switch to 2% milk.
If you are concerned about your child's eating habits or nutrition, talk to your doctor.