Wondering when your baby can drink milk? Officially speaking, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all babies drink breast milk or iron-fortified formula exclusively for the first 6 months of life. After 6 months, caregivers can introduce solids to a baby's diet while continuing breast milk or formula. But cow's milk is off-limits until after your baby turns 1 year old, according to the AAP.
“Breast milk and infant formula contain the appropriate nutritional ingredients for an infant from ages 0 to 1. Regular milk does not,” explains Ari Brown, MD, an Austin, Texas-based pediatrician, author of the Baby 411 book series, and parent education resource.
Here's more on why experts recommend waiting until after your baby's first birthday to introduce cow's milk.
When and How to Introduce Cow's Milk to Your Baby
Why Babies Shouldn't Drink Milk
As long as they have no allergies, sensitivities, or intolerances to cow's milk, experts say that children can begin drinking cow's milk as a beverage at 12 months old, but not before. There are a few reasons why parents shouldavoid givingliquid cow's milk toinfants before age 1, explains Jill Castle, RDN, a pediatric dietitian and founder ofThe Nourished Child.
First, Castle explains that their digestive systems are not ready to handle it, setting babies up for a higher risk of complications like intestinal bleeding and iron deficiency anemia.
"Large amounts of cow's milk in replacement of breast milk or formula can lead to iron deficiency anemia in a baby because the gut can be irritated by it, leading to blood loss," Dr. Brown explains. She adds that a baby can also get iron deficiency anemia because excess cow's milk can also interfere with iron absorption from other foods.
Secondly, the nutrient composition of cow's milk isn't in the right balance for an infant. "Protein and other nutrients are too high, taxing the kidneys, while other nutrients like iron, are lacking," Castle says.
Finally, Dr. Brown explains that introducing cow's milk to a baby younger than 1 is associated with other negative health outcomes, including poor weight gain and failure to thrive.
Aside from cow's milk, other dairy-based milk such as goat's milk and dairy-alernatives like soy milk, should also be avoided until your baby turns 1.
What If I Can't Find Formula?
Breast milk or iron-fortified formula is best for babies. If you're having trouble locating or affording formula, bring up your concerns with a health care provider. They may be able to provide you with formula samples or connect you with local or federal resources that can help.
You can also search for preferred formula coupons at grocery stores, pharmacies, local shops, online retailers, and the manufacturer's website. Swapping formula brands to a more affordable option is another option, as long as you get the green light from your pediatrician.
In the case that formula is unavailable, the AAP does have a feeding resource families can turn to for guidance. According to the resource, babies over 6 months old can be fed whole cow's milk in emergency situations—but only for a brief period of time.
“This is not ideal and should not become routine, but is a better option than diluting formula or making homemade formula,” the AAP explains. Diluting formula and homemade formula both come with risks, such as severe nutritional imbalances and the possibility of contamination.
Because the AAP doesn't usually advise giving cow's milk to infants, they don't have a specific amount to recommend for children under 1. That said, children over 1 year old shouldn't consume more than 24 ounces per day.
If you have to temporarily feed your baby cow's milk, make sure they're getting enough iron to prevent anemia. "Be sure to include plenty of iron-containing solid foods in their diet while you are using whole cow's milk," says the AAP. "You may also talk with your pediatrician about giving your baby an iron supplement."
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What About Other Dairy Products?
While you should avoid giving regular cow's milk to babies under 1, Dr. Brown explains that small amounts of cow's milk in food preparation or in dairy products are fine for babies over 6 months. "It's replacing breast milk or formula with [cow's] milk that is the problem," she notes. Castle agrees: "Babies as young as 6 months can be introduced to dairy foods like yogurt and cheese in developmentally appropriate ways," she says.
In fact, incorporating cow's milk products into an older baby's diet can have some benefits. For example, “exposure to milk proteins in the first year may prevent the development of milk allergy,” Castle says.Dairy products can also help babies meet certain nutritional needs, such as daily requirements for calcium, vitamin D, and healthy fats. The same goes for toddlers.
In fact, just 2 cups of whole cow's milk a day will provide all the daily calcium, fat, and vitamin D a toddler needs. But cow's milk isn't the only way for toddlers to get these nutrients. So for children and families with dietary restrictions or preferences that preclude cow's milk, a balanced diet of solid foods and fortified dairy alternatives can provide those needed nutrients.
If you do choose to offer your child cow's milk after their first birthday, the AAP advises either whole or 2% milk for children ages 1 to 2 depending on the child, so ask your pediatrician what they recommend. Castle typically recommends full-fat cow's milk. "Toddlers still need quite a bit of fat in their diet to support brain development and continued physical growth," she explains.
How Much Milk Should a Toddler Drink?
Key Takeaway
While you shouldn't give your baby cow's milk before age 1, dairy is not the enemy. Babies under 1 can eat dairy products like cheese and yogurt once they've been introduced to solid foods. Once they turn 1, cow's milk can be introduced as a drink alongside meals and snacks. "The key point is to view milk as a beverage, not a liquid meal, which is what breast milk or formula was in infancy," sums up Dr. Brown.
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