Baby formula vs.milk before age 1?

Question

Is it ok if you baby drinks homomilk instead of formula before the age of 1...say like start around 6-7 months. If not why?

Answer 1

No, it lacks nutrients.

Answer 2

Pasteurized cow's milk usually thickens mucous in all of us. A baby's eustachian tubes are tiny and the thickened mucous has a harder time draining. This is NOT an allergy but can and does often lead to ear infections from the backed-up mucous. If the mother is not nursing, goat's milk is the preferable substitute, not soy formula and not regular baby formulas which are cow's milk based.



There are some studies indicating that cow's milk and colic in infants may be related. That would be something to watch for. The connection may be because cow's milk, especially when pasteurized, is very difficult to digest. It can also lead to a true allergy to dairy products.



One major concern about the milk available in the average store is that the big dairy farms are often so dependent upon the pasteurization that they allow cows that are not well to continue being milked. For this reason, store-bought milk has been shown to have pus and red and white blood cells in it. Antibiotics have also been found in store-bought milk.



Breast milk from the biological mother is still the most reliable and best source for the nutrients a child needs for up to the first year of life. This, of course, assumes the mother is not on drugs herself!



This is out of New Zealand but gives some good information on goat's milk:

http://www.healthnews-nz.com/infants.htm...



And from another source I found, this:

"Cow's milk (e.g., whole, 2%, 1%, 1/2% or skim) is not appropriate for children under the age of one year, according to the Committee on Nutrition of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Cow's milk is a poor source of iron, and iron deficiency anemia is the most common nutritional problem in infants. Cow's milk that has not been specially heat processed (such as the heat processing used in infant formula) can cause intestinal blood loss in some babies. Iron is lost with the blood. Also, the levels of protein and sodium in cow's milk are higher than recommended for infants. Additionally, cow's milk is low in vitamin C, vitamin E and copper. Further, cow's milk contains butterfat that is difficult for a baby to digest. For these reasons, the Committee on Nutrition recommends that breastfeeding or iron-fortified infant formula be continued during the first year of life."

Answer 3

The composition of breastmilk is totally different from cow's milk as it is specially designed to meet the needs of human babies during this time of intense growth and development. Formula imitates breastmilk as much as possible.

Until 12 months, breastmilk/formula should provide a major part of a baby's nutritional intake. Cow's milk is designed for calves and its use as a formula substitute before 12months can lead to serious nutritional deficiencies and impaired growth and development (particularly in the brain).

After 12 months, a baby should be able to get enough nutrients from other food so that milk isn't as essential. Also, after 12 months, growth slows down and babies don't need as much food.

My daughter is 18 months old and has toddler formula. I want her to have the best possible start in life and extra nutrients can only be of benefit.  

Answer 4

there is not enough vitamins and stuff in cows milk to support their development. I would stick to the formula until baby is a bit older