Every parent knows about the benefits of breast milk for a newborn’s health. But there are situations when we have to look for alternatives, and some parents are faced with the dilemma – can we give cow’s milk to a newborn baby as a substitute for breast milk?
Cow’s milk is intended for growing a baby cow. Its composition is ideal for rapid growth and body weight gain – in six months, a calf should gain about a center of live weight and turn into a mature animal. The human body does not need such a growth rate, and too much protein and minerals (3 times more in breast milk) and casein are not suitable for a fragile newborn. A baby’s body will not absorb more than it needs nutrients from milk, and unnecessary proteins and minerals increase the load on the child’s excretory system, particularly the kidneys, forcing them to work with overload.
Also, cow’s milk contains too little iron and folic acid, which is necessary for synthesizing hemoglobin and developing the nervous system. A large amount of foreign proteins and other substances increases the risk of allergies.
Natural cow’s milk is a very healthy product, but it should not be introduced into a baby’s diet before the age of 12 months, and better from 2 years.
In cases when formula feeding is necessary, parents should understand that such food must be balanced and fully provide the newborn with vitamins and micronutrients. Of course, modern formulas allow you to make a quality choice – be sure to study the composition of the formula together with your pediatrician before choosing.
Holle PRE formula is suitable for special nutrition for babies from birth until the end of the 6th month. The exceptional quality of this organic PRE milk is a special recipe in which the proportion of vegetable oils is reduced and replaced with high-quality Demeter certified milk fat. The combination of milk fat with vegetable oils helps achieve the optimal fat composition in organic PRE milk.
Today, pediatricians strongly oppose the use of cow’s milk in the diet of babies under one year of age. Studies conducted by scientists prove that milk is good for children, but at a certain age and without additives. Milk contains a huge amount of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, and no other food has so many healthy components in such an easily digestible form for a child. Still, it is not recommended to give cow’s milk to a baby under one year old.