Is this right? not giving milk to a one year old?

Question

here is the question.. im questioning the top contributor's (pippin's) answer.

Would that really be ok to not give milky things to a kid that young if you supplement it with all of the other vitamins etc. via other foods?

Answer 1

With regard to nutrition. If you look at the label on a milk carton, you will see the nutritional value of calcium, vitamin D etc. I don't know which question Pippen answered but there are alternatves to cow milk. My husband does not drink cows milk, he buys soy milk that actually has more nutrition as it is enriched with vitamin A,E, a little more calcium & just as much vitamin D. I originally felt cows milk was better (it certainly tastes better to me!). After my son came down with a stomach virus, my husband was strict with not giving my son any milk & gave him that nasty tasting soy milk. I thought my son would be deprived of the proper calcium & vitamin D nutrients until I actually looked at the box. My son has no problem drinking it, especially with cereal. Personally, I will not drink the stuff. I am toooo used to cows milk, nicely chilled, especially with some OREO COOKIES!

I don't think there is anything else really special about cow's milk except that it provides calcium & vitamin D. If you think back to when you were a baby (for me, over 30 yrs), there were not other products available to provide this nutrition besides cow's milk & other dairy products. Nowadays, there are many products fortified with calcium & vitamin D (like orange juice).

Answer 2

Most pediatricians and doctors will tell you that this is a big no-no. However, I work for an all natural organic food store, and they're whole family is against cow's milk.  They were completely brought up on organic Rice Milk, some Soy, but mostly rice milk that has the Vitamin D in it.  The doctors will tell you that you need the "Vitamin D" (Just 15 min. unprotected in the sun is what a child needs for the day, then put the sunscreen on) as well as the "fat for their brains" during the first two years.  There are fatty acids that can be found in supplements, as well as flax seed and just plain greens and fruits.   There is NO reason to have to have milk.  There are alot of reasons why we do, though.  However, did you know that we are the ONLY mammal that drinks ANOTHER mammals milk?  

I also wanted to add, in response to the other reply, that children's bodies do not absorb the calcium in milk. We are taught to think that the calcium is important (it is) but the calcium in milk is mostly excavated from our bodies, not absorbed.

Answer 3

I would say no. Milk is calcium and kids need lots of calcium. Not giving a child milk is not nutritionally smart unless they are lactose and tolerant.  

Answer 4

if your child CAN have cows milk, i would strongly suggest to give you child cows milk and not a milk substitute, if she cant have milk I would talk to the pedi first about the proper nutrition.

Milk offers fatty acids that promote healthy brain development and bone development. Its very important for children to get these fatty acids.. I would recommend looking up the benefits of milk in young children and going from there  

Answer 5

A child can get plenty of calcium, vitamin A and D from sources other than milk.  As long as the child is offered plenty of nutritious foods there is no harm.

Answer 6

I have a friend who's a pretty strict vegan.  She lightened up during her pregnancy, but her daughter is now fifteen months old.  Her daughter doesn't get milk at all, other than breast milk from her mother.  Her mother feeds her the same thing she eats, which is fine for a 30 year old woman, but not what a baby needs.  At her one year check up she was in the 75% for height, but only the 20% for weight.  The baby will eat fruit, veggies and cheese, that's about it.  I think she needs milk, as well as a few other fatty foods so her brain develops right, but it's not my child.  I'm not a fan of giving babies supplements, let them get it from their diet and environment (Vitamin D).

Answer 7

Most children need milk if they are not allergic to it. Organic is best, however if you do decide not to give milk to your child then you really should do some research into what to give your one year old child in place of the milk. Soy milk is a good different option long as the child is not also allergic to it. Good luck!

Answer 8

I believe milk is essential at that age, but I guess if the baby got lots of cheese and yogurt it could make up for the lack of calcium, but I don't know about the Vitamin D.

Answer 9

You have not provided nearly enough information for an answer to this question.  I have not seen the original question or answer that you are referring to.

Unless a child is allergic or intolerant to milk, there is no reason why they cannot drink milk or eat dairy products.  Goats milk is the best substitute, unless an allergy is suspected.  Goats milk shares 50% of the same proteins as cows milk, so a child may be allergic to both.  

Soy products do not contain enough fat for children under two.

As I said, there is not enough information to answer this question, it depends on the situation.  Obviously, drinking and eating dairy products is the best, but if there is a medical reason why they can't do that, then you have to weigh the benefits and risks associated.