Is it possible to give cow's milk to a baby instead of formula, which is better?

In the modern world, you can find a large selection of formulas for feeding babies on store shelves.

In the past, our grandmothers fed their children with cow's milk in the absence of breast milk. Now there is a lot of controversy about this.

The past generation believes that cow's milk is much healthier than artificial formula. This issue needs to be thoroughly understood.

The difference between cow's milk and breast milk

Breast milk is an irreplaceable source of nutrients that a baby needs for the first 6 months after birth.
Now pediatricians strongly recommend breastfeeding a child for the first year of life, but not everyone has this opportunity.

Many women face the problem of a lack of milk; usually a store-bought formula becomes a substitute.

Some mothers, after stopping lactation, are thinking about switching to cow's milk, which our grandmothers used.

Breast milk and cow's milk have many differences, such as:

• Breast milk contains less protein, unlike cow's milk;
• the milk proteins of a nursing mother contain the optimal amount of essential amino acids for the baby;
• fats in breast milk are digested faster, this is due to the high degree of emulsification. And the lipase enzyme helps the rapid breakdown of fats in the baby’s body;
• human milk contains the required amount of cholesterol, which is an essential component in the formation of the nervous system. This substance is also involved in the synthesis of biologically active substances, including vitamin D;
• unlike cow's milk, breast milk contains a sufficient amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids; they play an important role in the functioning of nerve cells and blood vessels;
• breast milk contains three times less salts, which significantly reduces the load on the baby’s kidneys;
• microelements such as iron, zinc, potassium and magnesium are better absorbed from mother's milk.

Only breast milk contains all the vitamins a baby needs, which form his immunity.

Why should a child drink cow's milk?

Milk is rich in calcium, which strengthens teeth and bones and helps regulate blood clotting.

It is also one of the few sources of vitamin D, without which calcium cannot be absorbed in the body. The vitamin also plays a decisive role in bone growth.

Milk provides the body with protein for growth, while carbohydrates give your baby the energy he needs throughout the day.

If an infant gets the right amount of calcium to begin with, there is evidence that he or she will be at lower risk for hypertension, stroke, colon cancer, and hip fractures in adulthood and old age.

After introducing cow's milk, it is not necessary to stop breastfeeding the baby. WHO experts recommend continuing breastfeeding in the second year of a child’s life.

Harm of cow's milk

The benefits of milk and dairy products have been known since ancient times. However, in the modern world, many studies have been conducted on this topic, which have proven the opposite. Cow's milk can harm a child's body for the following reasons:

• Due to the lack of necessary enzymes in the child: cow's milk is intended for calves in the same way as breast milk is for children. Babies do not have the necessary enzymes to absorb it. The components of cow's milk are absorbed into the blood, and casein, which is part of the milk, is an antigen for the baby's body. It may cause a severe allergic reaction.
• Due to the aggressive effect of cow's milk protein: the high content of this substance, which contains casein, is necessary for animals for rapid growth, the formation of hooves and horns. For small children, such a high protein level is dangerous, because they do not need to develop as quickly as baby animals. Due to the high content of casein, cow's milk is considered casein, and breast milk is albumin. In the baby's stomach, albumin forms soft flakes, and casein forms hard clots.

Casein is an important component in the production of technical glue.

Based on this, we can conclude that it is better not to use this product for children in the first year of life. Nursing mothers should continue breastfeeding for at least the first six months of the child’s life, and then gradually switch to formula milk.

The most famous pediatrician in the country says

Dr. Komarovsky is not a supporter of the early introduction of dairy products into the diet of babies, but he is not an ardent opponent either:

“When introducing milk to a child is a personal matter for each parent, but I want to say that we cannot be absolutely sure of our products unless, of course, we independently monitor the process, which is only possible when running our own natural household farming. In my opinion, a high-quality adapted mixture has many more advantages:

• The composition includes all the microelements and vitamins necessary for an infant;
• The composition itself is stable and does not undergo changes;
• Milk protein is processed in a special way, which reduces the possibility of allergic reactions;
• Preparing the mixture is much easier, more convenient and faster.”

Allergy risk

Cow's milk is an allergenic product for a baby in the first years of life.

An allergy occurs in a child as a protective, painful reaction of the body to cow's milk proteins.

This occurs due to the fact that the child’s body perceives foreign protein differently than an adult. Thus, the child's immature intestines give an immune reaction to unfamiliar substances.

The clinical picture of milk allergy is varied. There is no specific sign that would accurately show the body’s reaction to this particular product. Based on this, pediatricians cannot always identify this problem, because the symptoms are similar to other diseases. Most often, an allergic reaction is accompanied by the following disorders:

• from the digestive system: may manifest as signs of nausea, abdominal pain, increased gas formation, regurgitation, stool instability;
• from the skin: urticaria, burning of the skin, rash, redness;
• from the respiratory system: inflammatory processes in the nasal mucosa, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing;
• from the organs of vision: conjunctivitis.

The worst reaction of the body to milk is anaphylactic shock.

The risk of developing allergies is quite high in the first year of a child’s life. In the future, with the correct introduction of dairy products, you can avoid unpleasant symptoms.

When is cow's milk good for you?

A very important and beneficial property of milk is its content of vitamin B12, which is of great importance in the functioning of the nervous system and generally ensures the growth of the body. The presence of calcium in it makes it important in strengthening bone tissue. Milk contains more than 20 different amino acids that a child needs for the development of his body. Fresh milk has especially beneficial properties; it can resist the proliferation of pathogenic microbes.

Cow's milk may be beneficial if:

• the child has reached the age of three and is not allergic to protein;
• all standards have been observed when collecting milk;
• milk is pasteurized;
• parents begin to give this product in moderation, starting with 50 grams per day.

When to start

By this time, my child was already 9.5 months old, and we had acquired several teeth. As I found out later, many doctors categorically deny the possibility of feeding a child up to one year old with goat or cow milk. They base their position on the fact that this product contains proteins and fats in much larger quantities (3 times) than in mother’s breast or adapted formulas. In addition, the protein contained in the product produced by a cow or goat can provoke allergies. Yes, there is certainly some truth in their words, but there is no talk of any plaques forming in the belly of a young toddler. These are all fables.

Drinking milk at an early age can cause the most unpleasant consequences.

There are strong arguments in favor of late introduction of complementary feeding with milk of animal origin.

Complementary feeding with cow's milk up to a year threatens:

• Increased amounts of allergenic proteins and sodium can lead to allergies;

Skin rashes and itching are the costs of an allergic reaction.

• May cause dehydration;
• The level of casein is very high - the digestion of this protein is extremely difficult for a small tummy (a dense, almost indigestible clot forms in the stomach);
• Enormous amounts of sodium, chlorine, calcium, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium negatively affect the urinary system of a young body. The baby’s kidneys are trying to process this crazy amount of microelements, experiencing colossal overload;
• With regular use of the product before 6 months of age, internal gastric bleeding is possible;

Moms and dads, be careful! There is no need to rush into breastfeeding.

• Zinc, iodine, copper, vitamins E and C, iron are contained in cow's milk in quantities that are insufficient for a growing child's body. Taurine, cystine and folic acid are completely absent. A deficiency of these minerals can lead to the development of quite severe pathologies;
• It is strictly contraindicated for children in the first year of life who have relatives with diabetes in their family (due to the possibility of developing this terrible disease).

Feeding goat's milk for up to a year is fraught with:

• The toxic effect of the product on the body due to the content of specific acids in the first;
• Kidney problems for the same reason as when drinking cow's milk;

Disruption of the internal organs of a weak child’s body is quite likely.

• The fat content of the product is several times higher than normal. The consequence is digestive problems due to the immaturity of the stomach and intestines;
• The low content of vitamins D and A, folic acid, iron, and the disproportionate ratio of calcium and phosphorus do not contribute to the correct and complete muscular, functional and mental development of the baby. A lack of these substances can provoke some serious diseases;

“I can’t get used to this milk.”

• Intestinal bleeding without damaging the integrity of blood vessels (occurs with anemia or poor blood clotting);
• The casein content is an order of magnitude higher than in cow's casein (however, it is absorbed better than the former);
• Loss of valuable qualities of the product (if diluted with water to a state acceptable for consumption).

Oddly enough, the most similar in composition and beneficial properties to human milk is donkey milk, yes, donkey milk.

When can children be given cow's milk?

Before introducing cow's milk into your baby's diet, you need to take into account the fact that drinking it in the first year of life is dangerous for the child, as there is a high risk of developing a serious allergic disease.

A small body can hardly tolerate an excess of protein; such milk cannot replace breast milk or even store-bought formula.

In the first year of life, a toddler needs a sufficient amount of fat for the development of the nervous system and blood vessels. It is only found in breast milk.

Of course, not every woman has the opportunity to feed a child in the first year of life, but only a special milk formula can be an alternative to breast milk.

The consumption of milk for children of different ages can be described as follows:

• children from 0 to 1 year: it is not recommended to consume milk, even in small quantities;
• children from 1 to 3 years old can be included in the diet in small quantities - 100–150 ml per day;
• children from 3 to 13 years old can drink cow's milk in any quantity if they are not allergic;
• Children over 12–13 years of age and adults need to limit the consumption of whole milk and switch to fermented milk products.

Thus, starting from the age of one year, cow’s milk can be gradually introduced into the child’s menu. Proper consumption of this milk will only benefit the child.

About how to start solid complementary feeding and at what age

So at what age should milk be given? From 9 months, you can start complementary feeding for those babies who are on artificial nutrition. This rule applies to both cow and goat products. The baby can eat porridge cooked in milk. Doctors, however, insist on formula feeding for up to a year.

To be on the safe side, don’t eliminate baby formula from your baby’s menu for as long as possible.

Starting from the age of one, a breastfed child can receive a full-fledged cow or goat product, but in a diluted state. A healthy treat must be boiled and diluted for the first feeding in a ratio of 1:3 , where 3 is the amount of water. Introduce into complementary foods, starting with 1 teaspoon , which should contain: 1 part milk and 3 parts boiled water. If there is no reaction, increase the dose. After approximately 2.5 - 3 weeks, the amount of product consumed by the baby will be about 100 milliliters. The fat content of milk should not be less than 3, but not more than 4% since it must be diluted. Gradually reduce the presence of water in the liquid to a minimum, and completely remove it.

In order for a child to grow up healthy, his menu must include

meat

. Only meat contains the vitamins and microelements necessary for normal growth.

Fish is no less useful, but this product should be introduced into complementary foods very carefully, because it is a strong allergen. How to introduce fish into complementary foods is described here.

How to do this as correctly as possible?

Like any other product, you need to let your baby taste the milk to make sure there is no allergic reaction. To do this, you need to give cow's milk according to the following principle:

• on the first day you need to give the child a tablespoon of pasteurized milk diluted with boiled water;
• if there is no allergic reaction, you can try further in a 1:2 ratio with boiled water, 50 ml each;
• if there is complete absence of pain in the abdominal area, after a week you can switch to a 1:1 dose with boiled water;
• subsequent use depends on the baby’s reaction.

There is a possibility that the child’s body will not be able to digest this product - this is called individual intolerance. It can manifest itself as rashes, itching and problems in the gastrointestinal tract.

Store-bought milk and adapted milk formula: which is better?

Packaged store-bought milk contains much less vitamins and microelements than high-quality adapted milk formula, which fully satisfies the baby’s needs. It lacks important enzymes. They are destroyed during processing. A store-bought product may not sour for weeks at room temperature. It is difficult to get tasty yogurt or cottage cheese from it.

Milk from the store is sterilized at high temperatures. It may contain an antibiotic, which gets into the diet of cows through imported feed, and we get it from the cow in the finished product. Many types of shelf-stable milk contain preservatives that are allergic not only to children, but also to adults. Sometimes soda is added to milk powder during the production process to extend shelf life. All this does not add any usefulness to the store-bought product.

Unlike store-bought milk, infant formula contains essential microelements and vitamins. They have a stable composition and the milk protein of the mixtures does not cause allergic reactions in babies.

An unequivocal conclusion arises: milk formula in a child’s diet is much healthier than a store-bought product.

For many mothers, the question remains relevant: at what age can regular milk be introduced into the diet of children?

Children from three years of age are ideal for store-bought milk to appear on menus.

The introduction of new foods into the daily diet of children should not harm the digestive system of a growing organism. Pediatricians recommend adhering to a specific schedule for giving milk to your child.

If the baby is breastfed, then from the age of one year you can try to introduce special baby food into the menu - milk and lactic acid products intended for the appropriate childhood age. It is indicated on the packaging. As a rule, they are sold in small volumes of up to half a liter. Baby milk does not require boiling. A one-year-old baby's diet includes a glass of milk, provided it is well tolerated and has no adverse reactions.

Pediatricians recommend that it is advisable to give regular milk, available in a wide range in any store, to a child from 3 years of age.

However, many mothers switch their bottle-fed babies to a store-bought product much earlier. In the absence of allergic reactions and digestive problems, it is diluted and gradually added to porridge for children from 9-11 months. Mothers evaluate the reaction of the child’s body to such an “adult” product. If a child develops various disorders or allergies, pediatricians strongly advise giving up this new complementary food for about six months. In this situation, it is advisable to obtain qualified recommendations from an experienced pediatrician.

What store-bought milk is best to give to a child?

When gradually introducing store-bought milk into your child’s diet after three years, you should remember that it is better to use ultra-pasteurized milk for baby food. It is safe and retains all vitamins and microelements.

Low-fat foods are recommended for older children. American nutritionists have proven that children who regularly consume them are prone to obesity. In America, skim milk is stopped until the child is five years old.

For children after three years of age, the fat content of dairy products can be 3-3.2%. By drinking a glass of milk a day, a child receives almost half (approximately 40%) of the daily amount of calcium needed for normal growth and development.

We also read:

• When (and if) can you give cow's milk to your baby? —
• Is it possible to give kefir to children under one year old? Recipes for making kefir for kids at home -
• Goat milk for newborns —

Elena Malysheva about the dangers of milk

Pediatricians' opinion

Pediatricians disagree on this issue.

Some believe that cow's milk can be consumed in the first year of life, while others are based on scientific research and are against children consuming it before the age of 3, because it contains substances that the child's body does not need.

Safety of consumption also becomes a big issue, because milk should be:

• pasteurized;
• low fat;
• boiled.

Even pediatricians cannot say unambiguously about the benefits and harms of this product. Therefore, the decision is always made by the parents.

How to choose for a child?

The stores offer a special line of dairy products for children – these are the ones you should choose. The product undergoes careful control at all stages of production and arrives on the shelves in secure packaging, so it is suitable for children from 1 to 3 years old. If the child is older, it is advisable to purchase a sterilized or ultra-pasteurized product. After special treatment, the drink does not contain dangerous microorganisms, but before purchasing it is important to pay attention to the expiration date.

To the question of whether it is possible to feed a child with village cow's milk, doctors do not have a definite answer. If the mother is confident in the health of the animal and proper care for it, you can pamper the baby with a tasty and healthy drink. Even if there is no doubt about the quality of the finished product, it must first be boiled.

Opinion of allergists and nutritionists

Experts in these areas consider it inappropriate to use this product in the first three years of life. The risk of developing an allergic reaction is very high, and the immune system is still very weak. The opinion of allergists on this issue is clear. You can consume this product only after first making sure that there is no allergy, so you need to start introducing milk into your child’s diet gradually. It is very important to take into account the quality of the product and its safety for the child.

Komarovsky's opinion

Well-known pediatrician Komarovsky believes that drinking cow's milk is contraindicated for children under one year of age. His opinion is based on the fact that this product has a bad effect on the child’s fragile intestines and can lead to such a serious disease as rickets. Women who are no longer able to breastfeed should take care to switch their baby to a properly selected formula.

As for children from one to three years old, the popular doctor sees no reason to refuse milk if the quantity and quality of what they drink is respected. Children from three years of age can drink milk in any quantity in the absence of allergies or contraindications.

Not a single doctor today will give his final opinion about drinking cow's milk. If this becomes necessary, it is very important to monitor the possible development of allergies and, if necessary, stop using it. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the quality of milk and the quantity drunk, then it will be beneficial.

Is it possible to give a one-year-old child skim cow's milk?

In most cases, not yet. Pediatricians recommend giving whole milk to children by age 1 unless they are at risk of obesity.

Children of this age need a high fat content in milk to maintain a normal weight and an optimal level of absorption of vitamins A and D by the body. When the child turns 2 years old, you can switch him to skim milk if there is a good increase in height and weight.

Exceptions may apply. Your baby's doctor may recommend low-fat milk (2 percent) after age 1 if your baby is overweight or obese or has a genetic predisposition to obesity, high cholesterol, or a risk of heart disease.