Written by Editorial Team
You have heard that you should refrain from giving your baby cow’s milk till the age of one. At the same time, you have heard people talk about using milk to cook baby recipes even for ones younger than one year. You may also have heard of smaller babies being given cheese and curd. Confused as to when can start dairy products for babies?
Most parents struggle with the question of when to introduce dairy products to their infants. Knowing whether or not your infant is lactose intolerant is important given the prevalence of the condition among locals. Concerns regarding how much dairy is safe for your baby to ingest and what kind of dairy products are appropriate may arise as you wean your baby from breast milk.
In This Article
There are two main reasons why pediatricians discourage giving cow’s milk before 12 months:
So it is best to stick to only breast milk or formula milk in the initial year as the primary source for your children
Yes, even though you should not give your baby large quantities of cow’s milk as a replacement for breastmilk in the initial year, cow’s milk can be used in small amounts when you prepare various dishes for your baby, like porridge.
However, make sure that your baby is not lactose intolerant or allergic to milk. Follow the same principles as you would when you introduce a new food item to a baby’s diet.
Some babies also tend to be colicky when cow’s milk is introduced. If you think that your baby has become more restless after you introduced dairy to their diet, consider avoiding it till the baby turns one.
Yogurts are an excellent source of calcium and active probiotic culture which will help in the baby’s digestion. You can give your baby yogurt from as early as six months. Remember the following pointers:
For starters, yogurt does not really replace breast milk or formula milk. Yogurt is just an additional food item given to your baby. So, breast milk or formula will continue to remain your baby’s primary source of milk. The fermentation process that turns milk into curd turns the proteins and other nutrients into an easily digestible form.
Curd contains probiotics which promote good gut bacteria. Babies who have started solids need good bacteria for easy digestion of food.
In addition, yogurt is always given in small quantities. If cow’s milk is introduced, babies tend to consume larger quantities of cow’s milk and the increased calcium content from the cow’s milk can reduce the absorption of iron. Yogurt on the other hand is never had in such high quantities that it can result in an iron deficiency.
Just like yogurt, even cheese can be introduced to a baby’s diet once he turns 6 months. Remember the following pointers:
Although cow’s milk cannot be given to your babies, most of the other dairy products can be introduced to your baby’s diet as they are:
Babies need a lot of calcium for the proper formation and development of bones and teeth. Milk is the best source of calcium for babies who have crossed one year of age.
While calcium is essential for the proper growth and development of babies, vitamin D plays a crucial role in ensuring the proper absorption of calcium.
Babies who have crossed one year of age go through multiple milestones and need a lot of nutrients to help through their milestones and their growth and development. Milk is an excellent source of various important nutrients that will help them with grow well and meet all physical milestones as expected.
Dairy products, like any other new food introduced to a baby, can have their own set of side effects, especially if the baby is allergic to milk and milk products. Parents must take special precautions if there is a family history of milk allergies. Pediatrician must be consulted before introducing milk or milk products to such babies. Lactose intolerance is also a common risk factor that must be considered when thinking of introducing milk and milk products to babies.
Here are some of the side effects you can expect from dairy products for babies.
If you see your baby or toddler experiencing one or more of these symptoms after consuming dairy and dairy products, you must immediately stop giving that food to your baby and consult a pediatrician on the further course of action.
It is always advisable to follow the three-day rule where parents must not introduce any new food when introducing dairy for the first time. This way, it will get easy to identify the culprit in case the baby develops any allergic reactions.
Overall, dairy products for babies are an excellent source of nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D. Yogurt or cheeses are the best first dairy products for your baby. In case your baby is lactose intolerant or is allergic to milk or there is a history of food allergies, seasonal allergies, asthma, etc. in the family your pediatrician will advise you to wait a little longer before introducing cheese and yogurt to your baby’s diet. Most babies outgrow their allergies, so it is better to wait and watch. But if your baby does not show any signs of discomfort after consuming dairy products, let him go ahead and enjoy!
Yes. Babies can have moderate quantities of dairy every day in the form of yogurt, cheese and cooked meals such as porridge as long as the baby doesn’t have any allergies to dairy products. You can always talk to your pediatrician before deciding on how much dairy you can give your baby. Once slice of cheese, a couple of pieces of paneer or 2 to 3 spoons of yoghurt per meal should be ideal.
Yes. Dairy products can cause allergies in babies. Symptoms include skin allergies, rashes, respiratory issues and digestion problems. Use the three-day rule to ensure that your baby is not allergic to dairy or its products. Talk to your pediatrician if you have a family history of allergies.
With a rich experience in pregnancy and parenting, our team of experts create insightful, well-curated, and easy-to-read content for our to-be-parents and parents at all stages of parenting.Read more.
Hummus For Babies – When to Introduce, Benefits and Precautions
Top Activities For a 3 Month Old Baby – Benefits and Tips For Parents
Pick Up, Put Down Method of Sleep Training Your Baby – Know All About it
Top Activities For a 8 Month Old Baby – Benefits and Tips For Parents
Life With PCOD After Marriage – A Complete Guide
Clinginess in Babies – When, How and Why
Get regular updates, great recommendations and other right stuff at the right time.