Tips to Select the Right Milk for Your Baby

Milk is vital for babies to provide them with the much-needed nutrients for growth and development. But the right milk for your kid depends on his/her age. From newborns to toddlers, breast milk is the best. When your little one turns six months old, you can introduce him/her to solids, breast milk or formula, or other types of milk as a source of nutrition, protein, fat, and carbohydrates.

In this article, we share with you the types of milk to consider for your baby. But before that, let’s know about baby milk nutrients.

Baby Milk and Nutrients

If you consider external baby milk or baby milk powder for your child, you must know that it consists of cow’s milk and is closer to breast milk. The cow’s milk includes two breast milk proteins. One is casein and another is whey protein. However, cow’s milk is not good for babies who cannot digest casein.

Many baby milk producers also add minerals, vitamins, and amino acids like taurine, omega-6, omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, prebiotics, etc. to the baby milk. These elements are vital for a baby’s growth. For instance, taurine in baby milk helps in better fat absorption.

What is the Best Milk for Your Baby?

There are various options other than cow’s milk. The one you choose for your baby depends on his/her age. 

Some options to consider, besides cow’s milk or baby milk formula, are:

1. Goat’s Milk

Besides cow’s milk, you can consider goat milk for your baby. It has the same dietary standards as cow’s milk. It is good for babies who are allergic to cow’s milk. The protein content in both types of milk is similar.

2. Soy Milk

This milk is selected by parents who want their baby to follow only a vegetarian diet. It is good for babies who are lactose intolerant, as it does not contain lactose. However, one concern with it is that soy milk contains phytoestrogens, which are plant compounds with the same chemical structure as estrogen. So, it can impact a baby’s reproductive development. So, don’t give it to premature babies.

3. Lactose-free Milk Formula

This formula is best for babies with lactose intolerance. Generally, lactose intolerance is rare in babies. Its symptoms are abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and bloating.

4. Specialized Milk

It is also known as therapeutic milk that fulfils increased nutritional needs. Its nutrient content may vary as per the baby’s specific needs. For instance, there are formulas for low birth weight babies and metabolic problems like diarrhoea and constipation.

5. Baby Milk Powder

You may also choose the best baby milk powder in India to provide the much-needed nutrients to your baby. It is best to consult a paediatrician to pick the best baby milk powder for your child.

How safe is Baby Milk?

There are various commercial baby milk powders and formulas to offer the required nutrients for babies to grow. But they don’t have the same benefits as original breast milk. For instance, they do not have mothers’ antibodies that protect babies from infections.

But when it’s time to give your child some extra nutrients, commercial baby milk is the solution. However, to choose the right one, take advice from a reputed paediatrician. If you are using baby milk powder, do boil the water first and then let it cool for usage. Boiling will kill the germs in the water.

 Also, Visit here: Pregnancy Nutrition: What Foods to Eat and What to Avoid