New parents are typically advised about several do’s and don’t for the well-being of their little one. Some of these suggestions stem from personal experiences of near and dear ones. However, most commonly these come from myths. How does a new and young parent differentiate between the two? How does one know whom to believe and what to implement? Is giving yogurt to baby when they have a cold a good idea?
For a parent whose baby is suffering from a common cold, cough, and fever these suggestions run into thousands, leading to confusion and ultimately inaction. Are you a new parent in search of an answer to Is it okay to give yogurt to your baby when they have a cold? Then, you are on the right page.
In This Article
- What Health Benefits Does Yogurt Offer?
- Is it Okay to Give Yogurt to Baby When They Have a Cold?
- The Benefits of Feeding Yogurt to Baby During Cold
- What are Some Interesting Ways to Feed Your Baby Yogurt During a Cold?
- FAQ’s
What Health Benefits Does Yogurt Offer?
Doctors advise including yogurt in your baby’s diet around the time they can have solids – which means at around 6-7 months of age. Yogurt contains minerals such as zinc, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and Vitamins such as Vitamin A, and B Vitamins such as Thiamine (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Pantothenic Acid (B5), Pyridoxine (B6), Cobalamin (B12), and Vitamin D. Yogurt is also an excellent source of protein.
Besides the nutritional aspects, there are several health benefits of feeding yogurt to your babies:
- Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum in yogurt maintains good bacteria in the digestive tract and thereby relieve diarrhea in babies.
- They also facilitate the smooth functioning of the digestive system.
- The magnesium in yogurt works as a muscle relaxant and has a calming effect on the baby’s body.
- The vitamins A and D in yogurt help in maintaining a strong immune system.
It is advised that you offer your baby unsweetened yogurt to avoid tooth decay and obesity. Read more about tooth care for children here. Plain and unpasteurized yogurt made from whole milk is a good option for your little one.
Also, you can offer a yogurt with live cultures of microorganisms that promote the growth of healthy bacteria and fight the unhealthy bacteria in the intestines. It is believed that culturing yogurt makes it easier to digest, thereby aiding the process of digestion in your baby.
Is it Okay to Give Yogurt to Baby When They Have a Cold?
Some people might argue about feeding baby yogurt during a cold. This is based on the long-held belief that yogurt and other milk products lead to increased mucus production.
They argue this results in the cold progressing to cough and generating phlegm. However, several small groups of researchers reveal yogurt, in fact, can lead to relief from immune responses to respiratory infections, such as cold, cough, and fever.
The Benefits of Feeding Yogurt To Baby During Cold
Now that you can go ahead and feed your baby yogurt during the cold. Here are the benefits associated with it:
- The nutritional value of yogurt makes it a good food to consume during colds and fever, as it replenishes the nutrients lost during infections and allergies.
- Yogurt’s moisture content can prove effective as a home remedy in controlling the common cold in babies by ensuring adequate fluid intake.
- Also, the common cold is often accompanied or followed by fever. Yogurt can help in lowering body temperature and provide a much-needed respite from uneasiness in children.
- Given its cooling properties, yogurt can also provide relief from secondary and irritable symptoms of a common cold such as itchy and sore throats.
- Probiotic yogurt, because of its healthy bacterial contents, aids immune system functions and helps your baby’s body in fighting a cold.
- What’s more, the probiotic content of yogurt helps replace the intestinal bacteria that your baby might lose during infections and allergies.
- These live bacteria in probiotic yogurt help your baby’s body to fight more diseases by increasing the number of virus-fighting cells, thereby making the immune system more robust.
What are Some Interesting Ways to Feed Yogurt To Baby During a Cold?
During a common cold, cough, and fever, the baby’s taste buds play havoc, making food taste bland and uninteresting to them. It is at such times that you can make a simple food like yogurt seem interesting to your little one. Let us look at some cool yogurt recipes for your baby, that you can consider, especially during a cold:
1. A Seasoning Dip
How about tossing some yogurt with a small amount of herbal seasoning? Try this one soon.
2. A Frothy Shake
Take some fruits such as bananas, strawberries, and some nuts such as almonds and walnut; blend them with yogurt and make a nice frothy shake.
3. A Blueberry Frozen Yogurt
Your baby will love the taste of a cup of blueberries mixed with some Greek yogurt.
4. A Veggie Dip
Some diced cheese and veggies, shredded lettuce, and a layer of salsa added to Greek yogurt make an amazing and interesting-looking yogurt that your baby will love. Give it a try.
5. A Healthy Spin
You can make several combinations of yogurt with mashed avocado, carrots and peaches, sweet potato, cinnamon, bean, pears, and applesauce.
It is important to note that yogurt and its various combinations will not cure your baby’s cold. But it will reduce the duration of their cold and other symptoms. Every person reacts differently to different home remedies. Hence, it is always advisable to seek an opinion about feeding your baby some yogurt, from your pediatrician. Ample rest and fluids will help cure your baby’s cold soon.
FAQ’s
1. Is Curd Healthy for a Baby?
Yes, they are. They are probiotics that help with digestion. Since it is a milk product, it has other nutrients too.
2. Is Curd Safe for the Baby When They Have a Cold?
There are opposing views on this one. Many believe curd can provide relief from cold. Many believe curd can increase mucus secretion, leading to a cold.
3. Can I Give My Baby Cold Curd When They Have a Cold?
Babies love cold food. If your baby is unwell, you will give anything to make them eat. However, giving cold foods is not advisable.
4. Can Yogurt Restore Energy for a Baby With Cold?
Yes, it can, to an extent. The probiotics in the yogurt help build immunity. However, give yogurt at room temperature.
5. Which is Better For Baby Milk or Yogurt?
Babies between 6 months and one year of age must be given yogurt. Animal milk such as cow and buffalo milk must be avoided. Yogurt is rich in calcium, protein and probiotics, all of which contribute to healthy growth and weight gain.
6. What’s The Best Time to Feed Yogurt?
You can give yogurt to a baby at the end of a meal or as a snack in between meals. Research studies have proven that probiotics present in yogurt promote healthy sleep in babies and is a good food to add to your baby’s dinner.
Read Also: 10 Ways To Treat Cough And Cold In Babies And Kids With Ginger
