Which is better formula milk or cow's milk?
Many parents wonder why they can't feed their babies cow's milk. The answer is simple: Young babies cannot digest cow's milk as completely or easily as they do formula.
Beyond digestion:
In addition, cow's milk contains high concentrations of protein and minerals, which can stress a newborn's immature kidneys and lead to serious illness if dehydration, fever, or diarrhea develops. Additionally, cow's milk does not have the proper amount of iron, vitamin C, and other nutrients that babies need. It can even cause iron deficiency anemia in some babies because the proteins in cow's milk can irritate the lining of the stomach and intestines, leading to blood loss in the stool. Cow's milk does not contain the healthiest types of fat for growing babies. For these reasons, you should not feed your baby any regular cow's milk for the first twelve months of life.
When your baby turns 1 year old:
Once your baby is over 1 year old, you can give him whole cow's milk or low-fat (2%) milk, as long as he has a balanced diet of solid foods (cereals, vegetables, fruits, and meats). But limit your milk intake to 2 cups (about 16 ounces) per day or less. More than 24 ounces a day (3 cups) has been associated with iron deficiency if children do not get enough of other healthy iron-rich foods. If your baby is not already eating a wide variety of solid foods, talk to your pediatrician about what nutrition is best for him.
At this age, children still need a high fat content, so vitamin D-fortified whole milk is recommended for most babies after one year of age. If your child is overweight or at risk of becoming overweight, or if there is a family history of obesity, high blood pressure, or heart disease, your pediatrician may recommend 2% (reduced fat) milk.
For ages 2 and up:
Do not give your baby 1% (low-fat) or fat-free (skim) milk before she is two years old, because that type of milk does not contain enough fat for her development. After age two, you should discuss your child's nutritional needs, including the choice of low-fat or skim milk products, with your pediatrician.
