Why do I have to wait for my baby to be at least 12 months old to introduce cow’s milk?
Babies cannot fully or easily digest cow’s milk like breast milk or formula. Cow’s milk contains high concentrations of protein and minerals, which can damage your baby’s immature kidneys.
Cow’s milk does not have adequate amounts of iron, vitamin C and other nutrients for newborns. It can even cause anemia, an iron deficiency in some babies, because cow’s milk protein can irritate the lining of the digestive system, leading to blood in the stool. In the end, cow’s milk does not provide the healthiest types of fat for growing babies.
However, once your baby is ready to digest, cow’s milk can supplement a balanced diet with solid foods that include whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and meats.
Why should my child start drinking cow’s milk?
Milk is a rich source of calcium, which builds strong bones and teeth and helps regulate blood clotting and muscle control. It is also one of the few sources of vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium and is crucial for bone growth.
Milk also provides growth proteins and carbohydrates that give your baby the energy he needs throughout the day. And if your child gets enough calcium early on, there is evidence that later in life there is a lower risk of high blood pressure, stroke, colon cancer and hip fractures.
Should I stop breastfeeding when my baby starts drinking cow’s milk?
There is no need to wean your baby after introducing cow’s milk. As long as you both enjoy breastfeeding, it is okay to continue breastfeeding after your baby’s first birthday.
Can I give my baby skim or skim milk?
In most cases, not yet. It is recommended to give whole milk to 1-year-olds, unless they are at high risk of obesity. Babies at this age need more fat in whole milk to maintain a normal weight gain and help the body absorb vitamins A and D. The concentration of proteins and minerals in skim milk is also too high for children at this age. Once your baby is 2 years old, you can decide to switch to skim or skim milk until it grows well.
Exceptions are possible, and your child’s pediatrician may recommend that you give low-fat milk (2 percent) after 1 year of age if you are overweight or have a family history of obesity, high cholesterol, or cardiovascular disease.
Can my child have a milk allergy?
If your baby drank cow’s milk-based formula without any problems, you can be sure that he will have no problem tolerating cow’s milk. Even babies who are exclusively breastfed for the first year can usually cope with cow’s milk because they have been exposed to cow’s milk protein in breast milk (unless you avoid all dairy products).
If your child drank soy formula because it was recommended by your pediatrician, check with him before introducing cow’s milk. Your doctor may recommend that you start with a soy drink that is fortified with vitamin D and calcium.
But real cow’s milk allergies are relatively uncommon. (There is a difference between milk allergy and lactose intolerance.)
The main symptoms of milk allergy are: Rash, especially around the mouth or chin Abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, itching.
If your child is shown to be allergic to cow’s milk, you should be careful to avoid foods such as cottage cheese, ice cream, yogurt, butter, milk chocolate and milk powder.
