Complementary feeding: milk and its derivatives

Milk and its derivatives are a group of foods rich in calcium and protein (cow's milk is triple that of breast milk) and being liquid or semi-liquid (milk, yogurts, milkshakes ...) children get more protein those that can assimilate in a healthy way.

Children who drink artificial milk are already taking cow's milk protein

The start and continuation formulas (type 1 and type 2) are derived from cow's milk that have been treated to decrease the concentration of proteins and modify the type of protein in order to be assimilated by babies.
However, its proteins remain from cow's milk, so at the allergenic level they have the same risk as unmodified cow's milk.

It is for this reason that it is not recommended to those mothers who are breastfeeding and who start working at 16 weeks to give their babies artificial milk, but to give breast milk extracted or, failing that, to wait a little at four months and start offering fruit, vegetables, meat or cereals; It is for this reason also that continuation milk is not recommended as a liquid solution to prepare cereals (since they can be prepared with breast milk, with water and with vegetable stock).

A child fed with breast milk does not need to drink milk or derivatives while breastfeeding, 6 months or 2 years old. Obviously, not needing them does not mean you cannot take them.

A child fed with formula milk, either with type 1 or type 2, should be offered, starting at 6 months, about 500 ml of milk daily.
If we add other dairy products (for example a yogurt), you will be taking too much protein and we will be overloading your kidneys without need.

Some mothers reduce the consumption of milk (giving for example 375 ml of milk a day) to add the 125 ml of a yogurt. There is still an excess of proteins, since yogurt carries a third more protein (about 3.3 grams per 100 ml) than type 2 milk (about 2.1 g per 100 ml).

The ideal and recommended is that the only dairy food until the year is breast milk or artificial milk.

Unmodified milk proteins produce microhemorrhages

Another reason why it is recommended to start the consumption of non-adapted dairy products after 12 months is that unmodified cow's milk proteins produce microhemorrhages in the digestive system of babies.

If we take into account that about 30% of children have fairly low levels of iron and that the remaining 70% usually have it rather low, it is totally counterproductive for a baby to suffer this type of bleeding, since losing blood increases the likelihood of anemia

In some northern European countries, cow's milk is offered to babies from 9 months of age. It seems that at that age the aforementioned microhemorrhages no longer suffer, however it is advisable to be safe and wait at 12 months (at which time there is also a lower risk of allergic reaction).

Whole, semi-skimmed or skimmed?

Although fats have been demonized by the food industry they are very necessary for both adults and babies and children, and especially for them.

The whole milk (I speak only of milk but I also refer to derivatives) is an important source of fat and that is why it is recommended during the first two years of life.

Skimmed dairy products are not recommended as they do not contain essential fatty acids, are deficient in vitamins and carry too much on the kidneys, as they have many proteins for the low energy they provide. They can begin to take two years, but if they can be delayed up to five years much better.

The semi-skimmed may be acceptable after 24 months of age. WHO accepts it after 12 months, but suggests continuing with the whole one, for providing more calories.

"Growing" milks

"Growth" milks, which are also called type 3, to show parents that following a logical order goes after 1 and 2, they are little necessary, because they provide various additives such as vitamins, minerals and fatty acids that can be easily found in a balanced children's diet.

In addition, between quotation marks of growth because they don't grow any more, although it seems that the intention is for parents to believe so.

I will not extend too much with this type of milk, because we have already talked about them here.

Yogurts

Exactly the same as milk, they have more protein than a baby needs. They can be offered after 6 months (although the current guidelines speak for 9 months, probably on the subject of proteins), but better if they are not given until the year.

The most appropriate, after 12 months, it's the natural, which does not carry strange additives (whose name I do not want to remember) or sweeteners. It is better to give it as is, without sugar, so as not to get used to the sweet taste and not add cariogenic capabilities to it. Surprisingly, most children usually accept its flavor without any added.

Custard, mousses, chocolate desserts, etc. They are not yogurts and therefore they are less healthy than these (if you look to make homemade yogurts you have to ferment the milk and to make homemade custard, no). They carry a high sugar content and are currently sadly replacing the healthier yogurt and glass of milk.

My first yogurt

My first yogurt should start after 12 months. I know they are recommended after six, but it is still a normal yogurt with more vitamins and more minerals (although they say it contains adapted milk).

In a few days I dedicate an entry to talk about this type of yogurt to explain in depth why I say that until 12 months it is better not to offer them.

The cheese

Cheese can begin to be offered after 12 months, like other dairy products. It is recommended to start with fresh cheese or tender

The cheeses (farmhouse type) contain very low quality fats and it is not advisable to eat them more than once a week.

Liquid dairy

Currently, "Danonino" type liquid dairy is very fashionable and, as I said at the beginning of the entry, children are taking, with both liquid yogurt, dairy dessert, milk and yogurts, a considerable excess of protein (in addition to the excesses of meat in the diet).

The OCU analyzed several children's snacks a couple of years ago and among them were 3 types of liquid dairy products (Yoco Strawberry from Nestlé, Danonino strawberry and banana and Dan'up strawberry and banana, both from Danone).

The analysis concluded that they had very poor quality fats and it was recommended that children take it, at most, once a week.

Condensed milk

It contains added sugar and a very high osmolarity (high concentration of solutes that overload the kidneys), so it is not a suitable infant food.

Video: Dads and Breastfeeding (March 2024).