When to introduce cow's milk to a baby. Fatty or low fat? Cow's milk for newborns: to give or not to give

Today, there is a lot of controversy around the use of cow's milk in baby food. Why is the product, which a decade ago without hesitation given to babies to drink, now causes concern among specialists? Consider what is its benefit, harm and when it can be given to a baby.

Pros and cons: milk in the baby's diet

Cow's milk is considered a very valuable product for its rich protein content. Such a protein is much easier to digest by the body than, for example, meat or fish protein. Milk contains a lot of calcium, which is necessary for strong bones and teeth. In addition, it also contains potassium, which the body needs to organize muscle activity and improve the functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular systems. It contains vitamin A, which is responsible for vision and growth processes, and a number of B vitamins (B2, B6, B12), which are an essential component of metabolic processes. Most of all - the content of vitamin B2, necessary for the production of energy by the body. Milk is also rich in provitamins, which, under certain conditions, turn into active substances that affect development processes and maintain immunity.

Despite the uniqueness of milk in its nutritional composition, doctors are wary of it. Before answering the question of whether it is possible to give milk to children, let us turn to the conclusions of experts regarding this product:

1. The composition contains a large number of elements that cannot be fully absorbed in a small body. When such an excess of useful substances appears in the body of a child, it will certainly adversely affect his health. The high content of minerals and protein increases the load on the kidneys by 5 times, as a result of which the body loses a lot of fluid. For example, by drinking cow's milk, your baby gets 6 times more phosphorus than when breastfeeding. Due to excess phosphorus, the level of calcium in the blood decreases, which leads to impaired bone development. Komarovsky sees this as the main problem of using this product.
2. The gastrointestinal tract of the baby is not able to absorb some of the components contained in milk, since many children do not produce the enzyme necessary for this at all.
3. Contains a substance such as casein, which is very dangerous for an infant. When it appears in a small organism, it harms the intestinal mucosa, which is fraught with bleeding and a significant decrease in hemoglobin levels. This, in turn, can lead to anemia.
4. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, received by the child from the mother during breastfeeding, are absent in cow's milk in the required amount. Among their useful properties, the most significant for a growing child, is the neutralization of inflammatory processes and the construction of full-fledged cell membranes in the body.
5. It contains very little iron, which is responsible for the access of oxygen to tissues and the removal of carbon dioxide from them, as well as for the reproduction of red blood cells.

Based on the studies, scientists concluded that it is dangerous to give milk to children up to 12 months. The WHO is of the same opinion.

When and what kind of milk is useful

Most pediatricians agree that cow's milk can be introduced into a child's diet after they reach two years of age. By this time, the body is already strong, and therefore fully absorbs the products. You can eat from 8-9 months, but before that it must be diluted with water (1: 2). It is much more useful to give fermented milk products to the baby, as they are better absorbed.

Doctors consider it most appropriate to use a special infant formula for feeding babies who are bottle-fed. It contains all the necessary substances and vitamins for normal growth and development.

Komarovsky also speaks about the preference for a dry mixture. He believes that cow's milk can be consumed only after a year. According to the doctor, giving babies a glass of such a whole product at this stage of development is not at all harmful, since their nutrition is already completely balanced, and the kidneys can easily cope with excess phosphorus and remove it. With breastfeeding, emphasizes Komarovsky, such problems are excluded.

Before you give your baby milk, you should follow a number of rules:

1. be sure to boil, because through it diseases of cattle, such as brucellosis, can be transmitted to humans.
2. introduce the product gradually. Start giving it with half a dessert spoon. Monitor the child's condition, and if there is no allergy and stool changes, the portion can be increased.
3. when adding the product to porridge, do not forget to dilute it with water.
4. Check the expiration date carefully before buying. A short period indicates the absence of preservatives.

When buying milk for a baby, look at its fat content: it should be in the range of 2.5 - 3.2%. A fat-free product will not be useful, since calcium and vitamins are poorly absorbed from it, and intolerance and digestive problems can occur from a fatty product.

Cow's milk and breastfeeding

Is it possible to drink milk while breastfeeding? There is also no single answer. However, scientists do not recommend that a nursing mother drink cow's milk in the first month of a baby's life. This is the period when the child is especially acutely concerned about intestinal colic, and the protein contained in milk enhances them. There is an opposite opinion that the use of this product by a mother during breastfeeding does not pose any danger to the baby, but on the contrary, it can and should be drunk, since it contains a lot of calcium.

Despite various opinions, it is up to the mother to decide when to give her child cow's milk. But in view of the fact that the child receives all the most useful from his mother during breastfeeding, and infant formula is balanced and fortified, you should not rush to introduce it at least up to a year.

According to the laws of nature, all mammals feed their newborn cubs with their own milk, and the body of each animal produces the milk that, in its composition, will be optimal for a particular organism. This means that no matter how tasty and nutritious cow's milk is, it will have a beneficial effect on the body of a young calf, but not a child. This fact was established by scientists in the XVIII century.

Is it possible to breastfeed?

Our grandmothers and great-grandmothers recalled that they often fed their babies with cow's milk. Of course, the post-war years, devastation, poverty that prevailed in the villages forced a woman to use the milk of goats and cows in cases where, for some reason, a month-old child did not have enough mother's.

But this measure is extreme, in fact, the use of a cow product by an infant can cause significant damage to a fragile body. And too much casein content often causes allergies in infants, and an excess of protein creates an increased burden on the kidneys. Cow's milk contains less iodine, zinc, vitamins E and C than is needed for a growing body, and the amount of lactose in it is not enough (3% versus 7% in breast milk), and the child will also lack amino acids such as taurine and cystine, which necessary for the proper development of the brain (their content is 3 times lower than the norm).

In addition, the early introduction of baby cow's milk into the menu causes the risk of diabetes.

What is the use of the product?

Milk is a real pantry of calcium, which plays a major role in the formation of the musculoskeletal system. In addition, this product contains a large amount of vitamin D, without which calcium in the human body is not absorbed.

Milk provides the child with the necessary amino acids that synthesize the main building material for cells and tissues, and the carbohydrates contained in it provide energy for the whole day. Science has proven that if a child consumes too little calcium, the risk of hypertension, stroke, and fractures at an older age increases significantly.

Wherein it is not necessary to stop breastfeeding after cows' milk is included in the diet These 2 nutrient sources work very well together and complement each other. However, the use of this product is allowed only in the second year of a baby's life.

Possible harm and contraindications

If, for any reason, a young mother is unable to breastfeed her child, then special milk formulas designed for infants should be preferred. Usually they are selected by pediatricians taking into account the individual characteristics of the baby and have many advantages over plain cow's milk:

• mixtures have a constant composition, and the concentration of certain substances depends on what the cow ate;
• mixture manufacturers guarantee the presence of all important trace elements, as well as vitamins in dosages that are optimal for babies of each age;
• the structure of the mixture includes processed casein, which significantly reduces the risk of allergic reactions.

Also, the mixture can always be purchased in reserve. If desired, it can be used to make mashed potatoes and cereals, and most importantly, mothers can be completely sure that the product is absolutely safe for her baby.

Cases when it is necessary to completely abandon the use

There are pathologies in which it is better to completely abandon the use of a product such as cow's milk. For example, if a child is prone to allergies, casein, being poorly digested, enters the bloodstream and gives a rather strong reaction of the body. You should not include milk in the diet of crumbs with lactose deficiency, because in this case the body secretes too few enzymes to process sugar.

Any metabolic disorders associated with digestion are also grounds for refusing milk, a pathology such as a violation of the absorption of galactose, which is formed as a result of the breakdown of milk sugar, is of particular danger.

Of course, it is worth refusing to consume in case of hereditary fermentopathy, which is detected by a special screening examination in the first days of life - this is also a reason to introduce a dairy-free diet from the very first days.

Why is drinking too much bad?

Milk of cows is not recommended to be consumed in large quantities by children under one year old, because the product creates an increased burden on the kidneys, which most detrimentally affects the health of the child. Moreover, as a result of such thoughtless consumption, you can get diseases that will be impossible to get rid of, and the child will be forced to support himself with medicines for the rest of his life.

In addition, if you decide to give your baby cow's milk, keep in mind that it is not known in what conditions the animal is kept, what food it is fed, and how often the udder is washed. Moreover, on large farms, antibiotics and hormones are often added to the food for cattle so that the animals grow faster - these substances cannot be destroyed even during heat treatment and pasteurization of the product. Various intestinal infections are often transmitted through milk, as well as anthrax, foot and mouth disease, tuberculosis, brucellosis, and even leukemia caused by a lymphotropic virus - and this is not at all what a small person needs.

Although in fairness, we note that if you buy milk in a store, then the risk of getting such infections is minimal, but in this case you will not get any benefit for the newborn baby.

The question that interests many young mothers is at what exact age can you start giving cow's milk to the baby. WHO and famous pediatrician Oleg Komarovsky it is not advised to introduce it into the diet before 12 months, and there are a number of reasons for this. Up to this point, the baby's digestive tract simply cannot yet digest cow's milk in the same volume as breast milk and formula. You can not give this product to a two-month-old, three-month-old or even a seven-month-old child - it causes irritation of the digestive mucosa, and this often manifests itself in the form of blood in the baby's stool.

How to properly introduce into the baby's diet?

Cow's milk should be introduced into the baby's diet with great care. For the very first feeding, it must be diluted with water, but even after that, you can treat the baby with only 1 teaspoon of the resulting milk solution. It is very important to observe the reaction of the child's body after the first intake of the product. If you notice the appearance of rashes, redness, swelling, itching, or fever, then acquaintance with milk should be postponed for several months, at least 3.

If you notice that after drinking milk, the child began to cough, wheeze or breathe loudly - you must immediately give an antihistamine and call an ambulance - most often this means that an allergy caused swelling of the respiratory system, which is very dangerous for any child.

If the manifestations of allergies are very strong. then you need to contact an allergist to adjust the child's diet.

Do I need to dilute with water and in what proportion?

As we have already mentioned, in order to give milk to a baby, it must be diluted with water, for the first feeding it is better to take three times more water than milk, and observe the reaction of the crumbs. If it did not follow within 2-3 days, then you can dilute a little less, and after a week take milk and water in equal amounts. By the way, back in the 18th century, Dr. Michael Underwood, famous at that time, advised taking milk diluted in oat broth to reduce the concentration of proteins in it, or, if there is no oat, then dilute the product with water to organize the nutrition of infants.

How to choose milk?

When choosing milk for your baby, give preference to special baby products that have a composition that is much more adapted to the body of an infant. Moreover, baby milk should become the choice of caring mothers even at an older age. It is of higher quality because it is produced only from milk obtained from healthy cows kept in ecologically safe areas. At each stage of the production of baby milk, microbiological control works - the number of certain bacteria at each stage of processing is strictly normalized.

Important, that baby milk has an optimal percentage of fat content for the child's body - as a rule, in the range of 2.5-3.5%, and is also characterized by a Turner acidity index of not more than 100 degrees, which corresponds to the current sanitary standards. Milk for children is pasteurized at ultra-high temperatures - from 120 to 140 degrees for 3-4 seconds, after which it is quickly cooled. As a result of this treatment, all pathogenic microorganisms are destroyed, while beneficial ones, on the contrary, remain unchanged.

Some mothers give their babies skim milk, a common mistake, because at this stage of development, the fats found in milk are especially necessary for the child to optimally absorb calcium and vitamin D, and also allow him to gain weight. It is possible to transfer crumbs to a low-fat product only after 3 years, and then only if the increase in the child's body weight meets existing medical standards and regulations.

In conclusion, I would like to recall the statements of many grandmothers that in the absence of breast milk from the mother, newborns were fed with cow's milk for centuries, even millennia. You cannot argue with this fact, but do not forget that all this took place along with a progressive deterioration in the health of children, the occurrence of complex allergic manifestations, an increased percentage of pathologies in pregnancy and childbirth, as well as a significant number of various congenital anomalies and immaturity of vital organs and systems. a child - and all this is directly related to improper feeding in the very first months of a baby's life.

If you are determined to give your child a natural product to drink, then it is better to give preference to goat's milk - it has much less proteins than cow's, and their form is better absorbed by the baby's body.

Many people love cow's milk, but few people think about at what age it can be consumed, and at what age it is better to abstain, how much it can be drunk without harm to health, is it necessary to boil it, and can pregnant women drink cow's milk? Dr. Komarovsky will answer all these questions.

The first food for a newborn and infant in most cases is breast milk. It has all the components necessary for the development of the baby at the initial stage of his life. It contains all the vital nutrients, vitamins, minerals, which, on the one hand, are the building material for cells and the necessary nutrients, and on the other hand, protection and energy for the tissues and cells of the body. At the same time, there is always a threat of a significant decrease in lactation or the impossibility of feeding the baby for medical reasons, and parents face a difficult question - how to feed the child?

Undesirability of cow's milk for babies

Sometimes there is an erroneous opinion that human milk can be easily replaced not with adapted infant formula, but with cow's or goat's milk. At the same time, forgetting that nature has determined the specificity of milk produced by a certain biological species of mammals for feeding offspring, and its composition corresponds to the unique needs of the young of this particular species. Cow's milk contains unique substances and all the necessary elements necessary for the growth and development of a calf, but not a child. They are fully consistent with his physiological needs.
A distinctive feature of cow's milk is:

- high content of proteins (casein)

There are three times less proteins in women's milk, and it is the milk protein of cow's milk that most often causes allergic reactions. It is more difficult to digest and for its curdling the stomach and intestines need to release several times more enzymes than for the digestion of breast milk or an adapted milk formula. At the same time, exudative-catarrhal diathesis most often occurs precisely because the immature digestive system cannot cope with the load, and as a result of insufficient curdling of milk protein, the absorption of nutrients in the intestine is disrupted, toxic complexes are formed that irritate the mucous membrane and cause allergic reactions and stool disorders.
The lack of proteins in women's milk is compensated by a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are necessary for the baby's body for the proper maturation of nerve cells and the development of the child's brain;

- high content of mineral salts

In women's milk, they are much smaller, which is more preferable for the developing genitourinary system of the baby. If the product contains a lot of mineral salts, there is a strong load on the kidneys, with any functional disorders in the functioning of the kidneys in the form of dysembryogenesis stigmas, congenital pathologies of the excretory system - the introduction of cow's milk into the diet can provoke:

Aggravation of pathology;

Helps to change the processes of maturation of the urinary system;

The possibility of salt deposition in the tubules of the kidneys and the formation of dysmetabolic nephropathy;

The development of organic pathology of the kidneys.

If there are symptoms of neuro-arthritic diathesis or other metabolic disorders, signs of an excess of calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, chlorine and phosphorus salts in the body, it is contraindicated in infants;

- significantly less vitamins C and E, as well as trace elements (iodine, zinc and copper and iron)

The lack of essential vitamins also adversely affects the growth and maturation of all organs and systems for which they are vital (nervous, sensory organs, skin, endocrine and immune systems).
A lack of iron in food is especially dangerous for babies who do not have enough of them in their own depot (premature babies, children with intrauterine malnutrition, babies from twins) - this leads to the development of severe anemia. Copper and manganese are necessary for the proper construction of red blood cells - their lack makes them inferior red bodies with a short life span;

- complete absence of protective antibodies

All these components are necessary for the baby's body to stabilize its immune system and temporarily replace the protective functions of the baby's body during the unstable work of its own immunity at the stage of its formation.

- not enough carbohydrates

In modern medicine, a wide range of adapted milk formulas for babies of different ages has been developed, enriched with various components (iron, vitamins, essential amino acids and other essential nutrients), so there is no need to introduce cow's milk into the baby's diet, especially with certain health problems.

Of course, there are mixtures whose composition is as close as possible to mother's milk, but it is always necessary to know that to transfer a baby to artificial feeding, strong arguments are needed and always, even with a minimal opportunity to maintain natural feeding, all lactation preservation factors are used.

It is important to remember that breastfeeding is not only about feeding the baby, but about unforgettable moments of intimacy with your child, the emergence of a close bond and the formation of an inseparable bond of mutual understanding between mother and child.

Cow's milk for babies at what age

To date, a large number of studies have been conducted to determine at what age it is better to introduce cow's milk into the diet of an infant. We can say with confidence that it is better not to give this product to babies under one year old, even in the form of complementary foods.

Many pediatricians define cow's milk as a late weaning meal. At the same time, it is not recommended to enter it into the menu of babies with a history of allergic reactions and functional disorders of the digestive system, kidney pathology and metabolic disorders - children in this group are not given cow's milk until the age of three.

If you decide to introduce cow's milk into your baby's diet, it is important to know that the minimum age for its use is 9 months, but it is preferable to wait up to a year.

The introduction of cow's milk crumbs into the diet is carried out according to all the rules of complementary foods:

Start with ½ teaspoon in a 1:2 dilution with the obligatory control of the occurrence of a reaction;

In this breeding, complementary foods are used, more often milk porridge, gradually increasing the amount of the dish during the week;

Then, provided there are no negative reactions, milk complementary foods are prepared in milk at a 1:1 dilution.

If there are signs of individual intolerance to cow's milk in a child, this product must be discarded.

Komarovsky: Cow's milk for babies

The well-known pediatrician and infectious disease specialist Dr. Komarovsky expresses his opinion on the introduction of cow's milk into the diet of infants:

“There are no fundamental and categorical “no” in this issue. If a child has intolerance to cow's milk, it will manifest itself at any age: both in the first months of life and at two years. All these are only recommendations, and after all, for several centuries and even millennia, in the absence of breast milk, children were fed diluted cow's milk. The quantitative and qualitative composition of cow's milk differs significantly from mother's milk, but the lack of necessary nutrients and trace elements must be corrected with juices, vegetable broths, fish oil or vitamin and mineral complexes. Of course, at present it is wiser to feed the baby with a quality formula, but all the prohibitions on the use of cow's milk are only recommendations based on common sense.

"Drink, children, milk - you will be healthy!" - who does not remember these lines from childhood? But is animal milk really that good for kids? And can it be given to children under one year old?

For a long time there were heated debates about whether it is possible to give cow's milk to children under one year old. Finally, the experts have decided...

Cow's milk for children under one year old: a child is not a calf ...

Most pediatricians came to the final conclusion: it is not recommended to give cow's milk to children under one year old. And not at all because milk suddenly became a harmful product, by no means! And the phrase, merrily sung by the aunt-cow in the famous cartoon about the one who grazes in the meadow, remains true.

However, it requires clarification: not all children benefit from cow's milk. Moreover, for babies up to a year old, the milk of large animals is a serious danger!

The fact is that cow's milk contains a lot of proteins and fats, while neither the gastrointestinal system nor the kidneys of a small child can simply withstand such a load due to their age-related imperfection.

Why is there such an excess of proteins and fats in cow's milk? It's very simple: cow's children - calves - grow much faster than human little ones. They need a certain amount (considering, first of all, their body weight) of nutrients for good growth and development.

Less is better

So, the first reason why you should not give cow's milk to children under one year old: the milk of cows, mares, goats and other large animals contains an excessive amount of proteins and fats - too much for a human cub to digest without risk to their health .

There are almost 3 times more proteins in cow's milk than. It is extremely difficult for a newborn child and a baby up to a year to cope with such an amount of protein without compromising their health.

But something else is worse than that: an excessive amount of minerals that a child under one year old receives with cow's milk! Judge for yourself: if a baby consumes cow's milk up to a year, he receives almost 5 times more calcium than he needs, and phosphorus - almost 7 times more than normal. And if excess calcium is eliminated from the baby’s body without problems, then in order to remove a fair amount of phosphorus, the kidneys have to use both calcium and vitamin D. Thus, the more milk the baby consumes, the more acute the deficiency of vitamin D and calcium experiences his body.

As you know, a deficiency of vitamin D and calcium inevitably leads to.

And again, the baby's kidneys suffer: an excess amount of proteins and mineral salts, which the baby's body does not need, is an unnecessary ballast. The kidneys begin to work with a 2-3-fold overload. And since in the first months of life, the baby's kidneys and the entire excretory system are still not sufficiently developed, the child's body experiences three and a half times more stress than it can bear.

Due to the insufficient capacity of the kidneys, the child asks for even more drink, receiving an additional load on the kidneys, and falls into a vicious circle.

iron rule

Another problem: while there are too many fats and proteins in cow's milk, iron, which is so necessary for the baby, which is part of rapidly multiplying red blood cells, is catastrophically small in it.

And iron deficiency, as you know, can contribute. In addition, regular consumption of cow's milk by a child under one year old can cause allergies and diabetes.

When and how to give cow's milk to children

So, the kind aunt-cow from the cartoon should have added: “Children over three years old, feel free to drink milk - you will be healthy!” And in this case, I would be 100% right. This is exactly the age when children are capable.

Well, you can acquaint children with the taste of cow's milk even earlier, when the baby is one year old. Start giving cow's milk to babies, like any other food, with a small amount.

Moreover, for starters, gastroenterologists advise diluting whole milk with water in the proportion: 1 part milk and 2 parts water. After a few weeks, you can change the proportion: 1 part milk and 1 part water. Be sure to monitor the baby's reaction to this product, as it can cause severe allergic reactions.

Only when the children outgrow the age of 1 year, only then their kidneys mature so much that they are already able to remove excess phosphorus without depriving the body of the calcium and vitamin D it needs. And, accordingly, now cow's milk (as well as goat's and any other milk of animal origin) from harmful products in the children's menu turns into a useful and important product.

In order for a baby to receive all the necessary vitamins and minerals from an early age, it is necessary from the first days to take care of his balanced diet. With the birth of a baby, parents have many fears, and therefore questions. It is important to gather useful and necessary information on the content and development on your own. In case of any deviations, it is necessary to contact a pediatrician in a timely manner for the necessary diagnosis and consultation.

One of the frequently asked questions among new parents is: "When can a child be given regular cow's milk?" After all, this is the first product that the baby tries immediately after birth. And it is important for parents to know all its characteristics and features.

Useful and harmful properties of cow's milk

This is a unique drink enriched with vitamins A, B, mineral elements, amino acids. 100 ml of milk contains: proteins - 3.3%, carbohydrates - 4.8%, fats - 3.7%. Calcium is almost completely absorbed by the body at 97%, which makes milk an indispensable product for both children and adults. The energy value of the product is 68.5 kilocalories per 100 ml.

At the same time, insufficient amounts of vitamins C, D and iron. This can lead to developmental delay, anemia, high cholesterol levels, and negatively affect vision.

It is dangerous to drink fresh milk, as it can be infected (brucellosis), it must be boiled. This indispensable healing product has other positive characteristics that enhance immunity, treat many diseases, are used in cosmetology for rejuvenation, improve memory, calm the nervous system, treat heart disease, gastritis, and even increase life expectancy.

There are also contraindications for people suffering from an enzyme deficiency that breaks down lactose, allergy sufferers, the elderly after fifty years. In this article, we will cover the topic "When can I start giving cow's milk to a child." After all, it has so many benefits!

Nutrition in the early stages of feeding

The most valuable and irreplaceable product for babies is mother's breast milk. It contains a whole storehouse of vitamins, carbohydrates, trace elements, so necessary for even small children. Mother's milk is easily absorbed by the body, gives strong immunity and is food and drink for up to six months. Also, it does not deteriorate and has a positive effect on the body.

Serves as a prevention of breast cancer, mastopathy in the mother. after childbirth, it quickly acts on uterine contraction, and also improves the figure, returning women to their former forms. This is a natural and unique natural process. In the diet, cow's milk can also be introduced to children. At what age and how to start giving it correctly, you will learn further.

Features of cow's milk in comparison with mother's

Consider the differences between these types of product. To figure out whether it is possible to give cow's milk to a child at the age of one, first of all, you need to check the composition. In the mother, in 100 ml, there are: carbohydrates - 7.5%, protein - 1.2%, fat - 7.5%. Energy value -70 kilocalories. These are the most optimal indicators for feeding in the early stages for children.

Cow's milk contains 2 times less carbohydrates, but more protein, calcium, phosphorus, potassium and other minerals that can cause allergies. A high fat content increases cholesterol in the blood, which in the future can provoke heart disease, vascular disease, atherosclerosis, angina pectoris.

To the question of when it is possible to give cow's milk to a child, the specialists of the Medical Institute answer that the best option is from the age of 3. It is during this period of development that children fully absorb food.

Cow's milk or formula?

Modern science is developing a variety of technologies for the manufacture of baby food. Many attempts were made, but all these products could not fully replace mother's milk.

True, in recent years, the mixtures have become as close as possible to the desired composition. Compared to cow's milk, baby food is considered absolutely safe at the age of one, since the baby's body is not yet fully grown.

When you can give Baby food today costs a lot of money, not everyone can afford to feed with mixtures up to 3 years. In order to save the budget after twelve months, you can try to introduce milk into the diet.

Proper transition to cow's milk

Consult with a pediatrician who will give good advice about the age at which cow's milk is given to children and how you can check the body for an allergic reaction. As with any diet, you need to pay attention to any side effects. Symptoms of lactose intolerance can be: diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, skin rashes.

So, it's time to find out when you can give cow's milk to a child and should it be diluted with water? The transition can take place at the age when the baby has reached twelve months. You need to give only but fat-free - only after two years. Start with a small amount, diluted with water in proportions of 1:2, and after 3-4 weeks you can change the proportion to 1:1.

Carefully observe the baby's reaction to the new product and the time when cow's milk can be given to the baby. Do not mix with fruits, berries and other foods that can cause bloating and tummy pain in a baby.

Important information

If you constantly add cow's milk to your child's food or give it to drink often, the child may become dehydrated, as well as allergic to milk protein. How old can babies be for cow's milk? Pediatricians say that not earlier than from 12 months, and if possible from 1.5 - 2 years.

Otherwise, too early introduction of this product into the diet can affect the occurrence of certain diseases, for example, iron deficiency anemia. At the same time, it is possible to get type 1 diabetes mellitus, a serious disease associated with metabolic disorders.

If there are insulin-dependent patients in the family, we advise you not to include foods that contain unadapted protein in the diet.

Conclusion

After reading this article, you now know when you can give cow's milk to a child and how to properly introduce it into the diet. We wish good health to your family and happy smiles to your child!