Full cream milk for babies - what you need to know

Confused about when to start feeding cow's milk to your child? Not sure about the type of milk that would be most suitable - full cream milk, toned milk, double toned milk or any other type? Well, if you are looking for answers to such questions, then below are some facts that will help you take the right decisions regarding the nutritional needs of your child. 

Full cream milk for babies?

According to Frank Greer, M.D., chairman of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition, it would be better to feed full cream milk during your child's second year since the child will need it for proper nerve and brain development. However, if you notice that your child is experiencing excess weight gain, then you may have to switch to toned milk. You may have to consult your pediatrician on this. In case there are no abnormal weight gain issues, you can continue feeding full cream milk to your child since kids need fat all throughout their development years for a variety of bodily growth functions. 

Full cream milk for baby's bone health

According to Dr. Greer, there are three key factors that determine bone health - calcium, genetics and physical activity. Milk may help your child grow strong bones since it is a rich source of calcium. Furthermore, milk has Vitamin D, which improves calcium absorption. Given these facts, milk seems to be a good choice for ensuring strong bones of your child. Full cream milk also contains several other vital nutrients such as Vitamin A, B Group Vitamins, Phosphorous, Magnesium, Proteins etc.  

How much milk to feed your kids?

AS per U.S. dietary guidelines, kids under 4 will need 2 servings of milk or milk products whereas kids from 4 to 8 years of age will need 3 servings of milk or milk products. You may have to consult your local pediatrician to know the recommended servings of full cream milk for babies, as relevant to the Indian context.