Infants younger than one year old need the nutrients in breast milk and formula. Once the baby is one year old,  you can give her  whole cow’s milk in  addition to a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables,cereal and meat. Limit the milk intake to  one quart (32 ounces or 946 ml) per day . Giving the baby too much milk during the day will decrease her  appetite for other foods she needs.

Why should babies younger than a  year old not be given cow’s milk ?

This is because young infants cannot digest cow’s  milk as well as they digest  formula and breast milk .  Breastmilk and formula contain nutrients that babies need and which are  lacking in cow’s milk.  The high concentration of proteins and minerals in cow’s milk put stress on a newborn’s immature kidney. It can result in serious illnesses in times of heat stress, fever or diarrhea. Another reason is that cow’s milk may cause iron deficiency anemia  because it can irritate the lining of the intestines and stomach and cause blood loss in stools. It does not contain the healthiest type of fat for growing babies.

Cow’s  milk for children older than 1 year old

At this age children  need higher fat content. This is the reason why whole fat cow milk is recommended for most infants at this age. Your  pediatrician may recommend 2%  (reduced fat) milk if your child

• is overweight or is at risk of being overweight
• has a family history of obesity, high blood pressure or heart disease

Do not give children 1% low-fat or non fat (skimmed )  milk before their second birthday. Children need a higher fat content to maintain a normal weight . That fat also carries vitamin A and D which the child needs. You should give your child whole milk until she is at least 2 years old. After 2 years, you can discuss with your child nutritional needs including choice of milk with your pediatrician.