How old is formula milk to drink?

Whether it is an exclusively breastfed baby or a formula milk baby, there is a question: Does the baby need to continue to drink formula milk when he grows up? When can I drink milk?

For babies after 1 year old, the amount of milk required per day is about 500mL, including formula milk, breast milk, milk, and yogurt.

Formula milk is still one of the sources of milk that babies can choose, but it is not the only choice, let alone a necessary choice.

Unless the baby is allergic to cow's milk protein, and the development of a normal baby, under the premise of ensuring a balanced diet, they can drink milk after 1 year of age. This is also recognized by authoritative organizations and guidelines.

The recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics AAP are:

When your baby is 1 year old, you can give him whole milk, together with solid food supplements (oatmeal, vegetables, fruits, meat) to provide a balanced diet.

The "Consensus Guidelines for Healthy Drinks in Early Childhood" also pointed out: 12 to 24 months of children, it is recommended to drink whole milk and plain water.

Some parents will say, these are all foreign, maybe our children are not suitable?

Let's take a look at what the Hong Kong Department of Health said. The Hong Kong Department of Health said: Children one year old or above can drink whole milk, such as refrigerated fresh milk or high-temperature sterilized whole milk.

It can also be seen that for babies after 1 year old, most of the recommendations are milk, and there is no need to choose formula milk alone.

Is milk not as nutritious as formula milk? Is it more difficult for babies to absorb?

Some unreliable parenting websites, e-commerce websites, and maternal and child stores often claim that formula milk is nutritious, and milk’s calcium absorption is not good, which will affect digestion and stimulate the intestines.

Is this really the case? Let's talk about it bit by bit.

1. Is the formula milk more nutritious?

After 1 year old, the nutrition of children mainly depends on the daily diet.

The nutritional content of formula milk is indeed more comprehensive than milk, but for babies after 1 year old, the fortified nutrients in formula milk should no longer be emphasized. At this time, milk has weakened to provide part of the daily protein and calcium.

As for nutrients such as fat, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins, we recommend that babies get them from "three meals and two points."

Instead of entangled in the nutritional value of milk, formula milk is not as comprehensive, it is better to match the baby's three meals a day, and develop good eating habits.

2. Is the calcium in milk not absorbed well?

The impact is limited.

Some "experts" claim that milk contains high phosphorus, which affects the absorption of calcium, so you should drink formula milk.

In fact, the phosphorus content in fresh milk is only slightly higher than that in formula milk, which has a very limited effect on calcium absorption.

In addition, the potassium, magnesium, vitamin C and other nutrients in the baby's diet will increase the absorption of calcium to compensate for this effect.

Therefore, it is unscientific to single out the high phosphorus content.

According to this principle, the meat that the baby eats contains higher phosphorus content, can't the baby eat meat too?

3. Drinking milk affects digestion?

The lactose in milk not only does not affect digestion, but is beneficial to the intestines.

Some so-called "experts" on the Internet say that lactose in milk is not easy to digest and can even cause intestinal diseases.

In fact, there is an enzyme in the intestinal tract of normal babies, which can break down this indigestible lactose into easily absorbed components. There is no saying that it will cause intestinal diseases.

On the contrary, the lactic acid produced by the decomposition of lactose in the body can help the growth of probiotics in the body, inhibit the reproduction of harmful bacteria in the intestines, and at the same time promote the absorption of calcium.

4. Does milk irritate the intestines?

After 1 year old, the digestive system of children is gradually improved, and generally there is no intestinal discomfort.

Indeed, babies under 1 year old have delicate intestines and stomachs, and the digestive system is not well developed. The high protein content in milk is likely to cause damage to the immature intestines.

But after the baby is 1 year old, the digestive system has been further improved. For the baby at this time, drinking milk will generally not have symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort.

For babies after 1 year old, under the premise of a balanced diet, either milk or formula milk can be selected. If the child prefers formula milk and the family can afford it, he can also choose to continue to drink formula milk for the child, and try to choose no formula milk. Products with added sugar.