Once your baby completes 6 months, you can introduce him to other foods (solid and liquid) in addition to nursing him. This is quite a challenging period for a new mother, because her mind is filled with infinite food options that she’d like to give the baby. As a result, there’s confusion as to which one would suit her baby the most. One of the common doubts that many mothers, including you, may have in mind is about the introduction of cow’s milk to babies.
- Can I give my baby cow’s milk once he completes 6 months?
- If yes, how much milk should I give him per day?
- What are the ways in which I can introduce cow’s milk to him?
These are some of the most common questions that may come to your mind. Keep reading to know the answers for the same.
Can I give my baby cow’s milk once he completes 6 months?
No, you cannot! According to paediatric experts and the American Academy of Paediatrics, cow’s milk should be introduced to babies once they complete at least 12 months. Why? It is because of these reasons:
- You have to wait for a year at least before you can introduce cow’s milk to your baby because cow’s milk is definitely not as healthy as breast milk.
- It is not easy to digest like breastmilk.
- It contains a lot of minerals like potassium and sodium, which may put undue pressure on your baby’s kidneys
- It doesn’t have enough nutrients such as Vitamin C or iron, which are needed for the bone development of babies.
How much of cow’s milk should you give your baby
Once your baby completes 1 year, you may slowly introduce cow’s milk to him. Your baby can get his recommended calcium and Vitamin D intake from around 1 cup of cow milk per day. Ensure that you give him more of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and other nutrient-rich foods so that you can limit his cow’s milk intake of 1 to 1.5 cups per day.
What if my baby doesn’t like cow’s milk?
Most of the babies are quite comfortable when you introduce them to cow’s milk. However, some babies may not like its taste because it is far different from breast milk. If your baby is fussy, you can try the following tips:
- For the first few days, you can mix cow’s milk along with your breast milk and feed him until he gets familiar with the taste
- You can use cow’s milk instead of hot water while preparing soups.
- You can mix cow’s milk in his cereals or other foods.
If you have already stopped nursing him, it is important that you try these tips and ensure that he consumes around 12 ounces of cow’s milk every day so that he gets his recommended dose of calcium and vitamin D.
You don’t have to stop breastfeeding if you have introduced cow’s milk to your baby. If you and your child are comfortable, the breastfeeding process can continue until your child completes 2 years. This way, you can also limit his cow’s milk intake to as little as possible.
