The kids’ diet after one year old becomes more diverse, but the dairy component remains significant. Everything remains quite easy if a kid is breastfed, but if breastfeeding is not possible, the question is whether to continue feeding with infant formula or starting whole milk? Well, let’s find out if regular milk is as nutritious as baby formula.
Cow Milk: Good or Bad?
Milk is considered a health drink, so why is there so much ado around it? The content of it is really very rich in useful substances. It contains more than 100 components, including calcium, phosphorus, vitamins, protein, fats, carbohydrates, etc. However, when it comes to feeding with whole milk a kid under the age of three, whose digestive system has not yet been fully formed, it is necessary to take into account not only the content but also the amount and ratio of certain substances.
Cow milk has 3 times more protein than breast milk. Such excess protein puts undue stress on the digestive system and kidneys which can cause health problems. In the future, it leads to obesity, diabetes, or hypertension. The quality of protein in whole milk also differs significantly. So, it contains casein proteins that are harder for a baby to digest (80% compared to 20% of breast milk).
Another argument against regular milk under three years old is that it contains too much calcium and too little phosphorus. Of course, a calf grows much faster than a baby, so it needs more calcium to build its skeleton. But a baby needs phosphorus for the absorption of calcium, which is half as much in cow milk as in breast milk.
Although there is a lot of calcium in the content, it is not fully absorbed by the kids’ bodies. Excess calcium settles in the intestines, causing constipation and other digestive problems. Low iron content is the cause of anemia, the lack of vitamin E causes a decrease in immunity, unsaturated fatty acids negatively affect the formation of the nervous system, brain, and vision.
Therefore, whole milk is not the best option for an immature baby. It is better to start feeding a kid with regular milk after three years. Then the body will be able to absorb it, and the excess of certain substances to be removed from the body without consequences.
What is Milk Formula?
The sensitive baby’s body, which continues to actively develop needs products adapted to its nutritional needs and special level formula that corresponds to the baby’s age. That’s extremely essential because the dietary needs of newborn kids differ from 6 months old. Besides, it’s recommended not to experiment with formula and keep feeding a child with the one formula brand. So before deciding on the infant milk, make sure there is feeding for your kid from birth and onward. For example, HiPP baby formula has a range of feeding starting from birth till the age of three years old.
The content of such a formula range has the whole complex of nutrients necessary for a child for harmonious growth and development. When producing the formula, scientists carefully select all the components in exactly the quantity and ratio that are optimally absorbed by the kid’s body. In addition to vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, bifidobacteria are added to maintain immunity, and what’s even more, the formula is additionally enriched with iron to prevent the development of anemia.
Therefore, in order for your baby to grow up healthy, smart, quick-witted, energetic, feed it age-appropriate foods. While feeding a kid with the formula you can be sure that a child receives exactly as much protein as the body requires without undue stress on immature organs. Live bifidobacteria help to strengthen the baby’s immune system, and the vitamin complex plays an important role in the development of the baby’s immune system and promotes the development of the brain and vision.
HiPP formula is an excellent alternative to whole milk. It is made from the natural components to receive the organic label so you can be sure that the feeding minimizes allergies and other digestive problems. HiPP infant milk formula is made without the use of genetically modified ingredients, preservatives, colors, and flavors.
