As we get older, children need additional nutrition to maximize their growth and development. Breast milk alone is not enough to meet the nutritional needs of children, especially after your child turns one year old. Well, one way you can do this is to give your child the intake of cow's milk. So, when can children start drinking cow's milk? Here's the explanation.
When do children start drinking cow's milk?
Milk is a good source of calcium to build strong bones and teeth in children. In addition, milk also contains protein and carbohydrates to support the growth and energy of children when on the move.
In infants under one year of age, breast milk is indeed the best food for baby's growth. Apart from its nutritional content, breast milk is also the only food that can be digested properly by the baby's digestive system that is not yet optimal.
That's why babies aren't recommended to eat anything outside of breast milk, even if it's cow's milk. Because, cow's milk contains high concentrations of protein and minerals. Not healthy, the content can actually burden the work of the baby's kidneys that are not fully mature.
So, you may introduce cow's milk after one year old child. At this age, the child's digestive system starts toward maturity and is ready to accept other, more dense foods.
The age of one year and above is the peak of growth and development of the child's brain. That's why children need additional cow's milk to reap more calories and fat.
So, does breastfeeding activity just stop? In fact, no. You can still continue breastfeeding your child. As long as you and your baby are still enjoying the breastfeeding period, you can actually benefit ASI to the maximum to your child until he is two years old.
How do you introduce cow's milk to children?
According to Dr. Ari Brown, a writer for the book Baby 411 and Toddler 411, the best time to introduce children to drink cow's milk is at dinner or snack time, as reported by Parents.
Remember, give cow's milk only at these times. If your child starts to like drinking cow's milk and constantly wants it, ask him to wait until the snack time or dinner arrives.
Rather than using a baby bottle or glass (sippy cup), use a small cup when you give cow milk to your little one. This is because the use of cups can help children learn to drink while encouraging the development of healthy cheeks, bones and jaws.
When a child drinks milk with a baby bottle or glass, the child will drink the most milk. If it continues to be left, this can make children fat faster and increase their risk of obesity as adults.
What dose of cow's milk can your little one drink?
In accordance with the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), one-year-olds can only drink one to one half a cup of milk every day. After entering the age of two years, then your child can drink milk up to two cups every day.
Remember, limit the amount of cow's milk intake for children so as not to exceed four cups of milk every day. The more children drink milk, the sooner the little one is full and finally doesn't want to eat. So, if your child still feels thirsty, just offer water.
What should be done if the child does not want to drink cow's milk?
Not all children can accept the texture and taste of cow's milk. There are those who can immediately enjoy cow's milk, there are also those who immediately refuse and want breast milk alone.
If this happens to your toddler, try mixing milk with cow's milk. The method is to use a ratio of 1: 3 for cow's milk with breast milk. Add the measured amount of cow's milk gradually while looking at the child's body response.
If the child's body does not show symptoms of digestive problems, this means that he is not allergic to cow's milk. Conversely, if your child has a stomach ache, diarrhea, vomiting, or a red and itchy rash appears, your child may experience allergic cow's milk.
Immediately bring the child to the doctor if your child has symptoms of cow's milk allergy. In addition to avoiding cow's milk, you should also avoid other cow's milk products such as cheese, ice cream, yogurt, or butter to prevent the symptoms of cow's milk allergy getting worse.