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
- Why Is It Important To Wait Till One Year To Introduce Cow’s Milk?
- Can I Use Cow’s Milk For The Preparation Of Baby Food?
- When Can I Introduce Yogurt Or Curd To My Baby’s Diet?
- Why Is It Ok To Have Yogurt When Babies Cannot Have Milk?
- When Can I Introduce Cheese To My Baby’s Diet?
- What Are The Benefits Of Introducing Dairy Products To My Baby’s Diet?
- Are There Any Side Effects of Dairy Products For Babies
- FAQ’s
Why Is It Important To Wait Till One Year To Introduce Cow’s Milk?
There are two main reasons why pediatricians discourage giving cow’s milk before 12 months:
- There are certain proteins in cow’s milk that the baby’s digestive system cannot break down
- Cow’s milk cannot be a replacement for breast milk or formula milk in the first year as it does not contain necessary nutrients (e.g. iron) that a growing baby requires/
So it is best to stick to only breast milk or formula milk in the initial year as the primary source for your children
Can I Use Cow’s Milk For The Preparation Of Baby Food?
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.
When Can I Introduce Yogurt Or Curd To My Baby’s Diet?
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:
- Stick to pure natural homemade yogurts.
- Store-bought flavored yogurts, especially the ones for kids, are high in sugar and not suitable for babies.
- You can add fruit purees to natural yogurts for flavor and sweetness.
- Do not use honey to make yogurt sweeter (honey cannot be introduced to a child’s diet before 1 year).
- Use full-fat milk to prepare the yogurt (as opposed to skimmed milk). This is because the milk fats are good for your baby as it provides high energy and good quantities of vitamin A and Vitamin D.
Why Is It Ok To Have Yogurt When Babies Cannot Have Milk?
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.
When Can I Introduce Cheese To My Baby’s Diet?
Just like yogurt, even cheese can be introduced to a baby’s diet once he turns 6 months. Remember the following pointers:
- Always start with soft cheeses which are easy for babies to consume.
- It is always best to introduce cottage cheese to the baby first.
- You can also start with cheeses that have milder flavors such as American, Jack, or Colby cheese as not all babies like the strong salty taste of stronger cheeses.
- Use shredded cheese to avoid the dangers of choking.
- If you do not want to use shredded cheese, then melt the cheese and spread the resulting cheese sauce on soft bread before offering it to the baby.
- Melted cheese can also be used as a topping for the vegetables that you have introduced to your baby.
- Simply use cheese as finger food for your baby to munch on once they turn 8 months old.
- Some cheeses are not suitable for babies, especially mold-ripened ones. Make sure you read the instructions on the package before offering it to your child
What Are The Benefits Of Introducing Dairy Products To My Baby’s Diet?
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:
1. Excellent Source of Calcium
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.
2. Rich in Vitamin D
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.
3. Supplies Vital Minerals And Vitamins
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.
Are There Any Side Effects of Dairy Products For Babies
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.
- Rashes and hives
- Itching and redness
- Swelling around the mouth and/or throat
- Other skin issues such as eczema
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Bloating
- Indigestion
- Constipation
- Bloating
- Gas
- wheezing
- Chest congestion
- Blocked nose
- Breathlessness
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!
FAQ’s
1. Can Babies Have Dairy Products Every Day?
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.
2. Can Dairy Products Cause Allergy to Babies?
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.
