Fresh milk for children after one year
When the child reaches the age of one year, he can consume fresh milk. Before this age, it is recommended not to give infants cow's milk for several vital reasons related to their health:
1. The infant’s digestive system at this early stage is unable to tolerate the complex composition of cow’s milk. It contains high levels of protein and minerals that may burden this weak digestive system and put pressure on the kidneys, which are not yet fully developed.
2. Cow's milk lacks sufficient levels of iron, vitamin C, and some essential nutrients that the infant's body needs for proper growth and strengthening its immune system.
3. The protein in cow's milk may cause irritation to the lining of an infant's digestive system, sometimes leading to digestive problems that can manifest as blood in the stool.
4. The fats in cow’s milk are not the most suitable for the infant’s body as they are not absorbed ideally, which means they do not contribute effectively to the child’s healthy growth process.
Therefore, it is preferable to avoid feeding cow's milk to children under the age of one and focus on other types of nutrition specifically designed to suit their special nutritional needs at this vital stage of development.
Benefits of cow's milk for children
Cow's milk is a rich source of multiple nutrients that enhance the child's health. This milk, which is rich in vitamin D, contains properties that enhance the absorption of calcium in the body, which contributes to strengthening bones. It also provides the body with the proteins necessary for cell formation and regeneration. In addition, milk provides the child with carbohydrates that give him the daily energy necessary for his activity and vitality.
Milk not only provides energy and builds cells, but the calcium in it also acts as an essential element in protecting the child from many diseases. Calcium contributes to protecting children from health problems such as high blood pressure, strokes, and certain types of cancer such as colon cancer. It also protects against bone fractures, and the latter is especially necessary to protect the hip bones.
Should I stop breastfeeding my baby when I start feeding him cow's milk?
There is no need to end breastfeeding your baby once he starts drinking cow's milk. Indeed, doctors encourage continued breastfeeding until the child is two years old.
What is the permissible amount of cow's milk for an infant?
One-year-old children need to eat between one and a half cups of milk or its derivatives daily to obtain the calcium and vitamin D necessary for their growth. While when they reach two years, it is better to increase the amount to two cups every day.
However, it is important not to overconsume milk in infants, as it should not exceed four cups per day. Excessive milk intake may negatively affect the diversity of a child’s diet, as they should obtain nutrients from a variety of foods, not from milk alone.
What are the ways to convince a child to drink cow's milk?
Cow's milk differs in texture and temperature from what babies are accustomed to from breast milk or other alternatives. This difference can cause the child to be reluctant or refuse to take cow's milk the first time. To facilitate this transition, the following strategies can be followed:
Mix cow's milk with the milk your child prefers, making sure that the percentage of the child's usual milk is higher at first, then gradually increase the percentage of cow's milk until the child adapts to its taste.
Cow's milk can also be offered in the form of different products, such as mixed with fruits or other foods that the baby likes.
Invest in using cow's milk to prepare various meals such as porridge and other dishes that may attract the child's interest and motivate him to eat milk.
If your child continues to refuse milk after trying these methods, it is important not to force him to take it. In this case, it is advisable to consult a doctor to obtain advice and perhaps prescriptions for nutritional supplements that suit his health needs.
Harmful effects of drinking cow's milk on children
Giving children under the age of one year cow's milk may cause them various health problems. This type of milk is more difficult for infants to digest, which may lead to symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, and general illness.
In addition, cow's milk contains fats that are not compatible with a child's diet in the early stages of development. Also, this milk contains proteins that may irritate the baby's stomach, which can cause anemia due to low iron levels.
Types of milk suitable for children
cows milk
Cow's milk is considered insufficient in its iron content and some other essential nutrients to meet the needs of infants, so it is not recommended for children under one year of age as a drink. From one to two years of age, it is preferable for children to consume whole pasteurized cow's milk to support their growth. After the child exceeds the age of two years, if his nutrition is balanced and his weight is within the healthy range, he can switch to pasteurized medium-fat cow's milk.
It is prohibited to provide skim milk to children under the age of five due to the low calories it provides, which does not meet their nutritional requirements at this important age stage. It is also prohibited to consume unpasteurized milk for children due to the risk of food poisoning.
With regard to introducing cow’s milk into the child’s diet, it is permissible to add full-fat pasteurized cow’s milk to the child’s meals starting from the sixth month, by preparing meals such as pudding or rice pudding and other foods prepared using milk.
Goat's milk
Giving the child this drink should be delayed until he is over one year old, because its composition lacks iron and many nutrients necessary for the child’s growth. After the child reaches one year of age, it becomes acceptable to serve it provided that it has undergone the pasteurization process to ensure its safety.
formula milk
In the first year of an infant's life, cow's milk can be used as an auxiliary substitute for breast milk if necessary. After this period ends, the use of cow's milk turns into a basic drink for children.
