My baby is weaning from breastfeeding, is it better to drink fresh cow’s milk or formula milk? (Thuy Dieu, Binh Duong)
Fresh cow’s milk is rich in nutrients, high in protein, calcium, potassium and vitamin B12, and can be supplemented with vitamins D, A and a few other nutritional ingredients. However, the fat, sugar, and protein components available in this type of milk are often unbalanced according to the child’s age and developmental needs.
Formula milk is a product of fresh cow’s milk that has been processed, the water evaporated, and the milk powder is retained. After that, the milk is processed to add or reduce nutritional ingredients to suit each stage of development or the child’s needs such as lactose intolerance or cow’s milk protein allergy.
Normally, children under one year old should be breastfed. In some cases where breastfeeding is contraindicated or the mother does not have enough milk to breastfeed, formula milk can be supplemented as prescribed by a pediatrician or nutritionist.
Parents should not give children under one year old fresh cow’s milk because it causes poor absorption and difficulty digesting. The protein content in fresh cow’s milk often exceeds the nutritional needs of children under one year old but lacks other important nutrients.
Children from one year old who have no special health problems, have good digestion and fully developed weight and height indicators, parents can give their babies a combination of formula milk and cow’s milk. fresh. For example, give your baby fresh cow’s milk during the day and formula milk at night. However, parents should monitor changes in their child’s body after each drink to make appropriate adjustments if necessary.
Children’s bodies from two years old and older are developed enough to fully absorb and digest fresh cow’s milk. Parents can give their babies fresh cow’s milk or formula milk.
You should take your child for regular nutritional check-ups so that the doctor can check and evaluate nutritional status and determine micronutrients in the body. From there, the doctor advises on building a nutritional regimen and choosing the right type of milk for the right age.