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Baby Food: When And How To Introduce Cow’s Milk To Your Infant?
Once you start breastfeeding, you will probably have many questions in mind like for how long do you have to breastfeed and when should you start introducing cow's milk to your little one? Well, we got it all covered for you in this article.
Breast milk is an excellent source of nutrition for babies after birth which is important for proper growth and development; it strengthens immunity and protects against infection [1]. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that babies should be breastfed for the first six months and continue breastfeeding along with providing nutritious complementary foods up to two years of age or longer [2].
So, when and how you should introduce cow's milk to your baby? Read on to find out.
When Can Babies Have Cow’s Milk?
In different countries, there are differences in the age at which infants should be drinking cow's milk. For instance, in the US and UK, it is recommended that whole cow's milk should not be given before the infant is one year old. In Denmark and Sweden, it is recommended that whole cow's milk should be introduced gradually from 9 and 10 months respectively. However, most countries recommend feeding cow's milk when a child is 12 months old [3]
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that whole cow's milk should not be given until the infant is one year old [4].
Guidelines On How To Safely Store Breast Milk At HomeWhy Cow’s Milk Should Not Be Given During The First Year Of Life?
Studies have shown that whole cow's milk has a high casein content which upon consumption can make it difficult for infants to digest. In addition, whole cow's milk contains very low amounts of vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and niacin. It also has a low linoleic acid content which is about 1.8 per cent, that is lower than the recommended level which is about 3 per cent [5].
Introducing
cow
milk
to
your
infant
at
six
months
could
result
in
increasing
the
risk
of
iron
deficiency
anaemia
by
one
year
of
age
according
to
a
study.
Iron
deficiency
during
the
first
two
years
of
life
can
adversely
affect
behaviour
and
psychomotor
development
[6],
[7].
A
higher
intake
of
protein,
sodium,
potassium,
chloride
and
phosphorus
found
in
whole
cow's
milk
increases
the
renal
solute
load,
thereby
resulting
in
urine
osmolality
[8].
Also, early exposure to cow's milk can increase the risk of developing an allergy [9]. Another study showed that giving cow's milk to infants can cause intestinal bleeding [10].
After your infant has turned one year, cow's milk can be introduced. However, consult your paediatrician regarding giving cow's milk to your infant.How To Introduce Cow's Milk To Your Infant?
Here are some tips to provide cow's milk to your infant:
- Mix half cow's milk and half breast milk and give your baby to get them used to the taste gradually. Start with small sips daily.
- Give your baby lukewarm cow milk and not cold. The cow milk that you give to your baby should be pasteurised and sterilised.
- Offer cow's milk in a regular cup as this will help your baby learn how to drink.
- Cow's milk should be a part of your baby's meal plan. Your paediatrician can recommend to you how to make it a part of a meal.
6 Different Breastfeeding Positions For Mothers
How Much Cow Milk Can Your Baby Have?
According
to
the
American
Academy
of
Pediatrics,
babies
should
have
approximately
two
servings
of
cow's
milk
per
day.
And
babies
between
two
and
three
years
old
should
consume
2.5
servings
of
cow
milk
per
day
[11].
Common
FAQs
Q.
What
happens
if
you
give
a
baby
cow's
milk
too
early?
A.
Early
exposure
to
cow's
milk
can
cause
milk
allergy,
iron
deficiency
anaemia
and
intestinal
bleeding.
Q.
Should
I
boil
cow
milk
before
giving
it
to
the
baby?
A.
Yes,
cow's
milk
should
be
boiled
before
you
feed
it
to
your
baby.
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