Do Babies Need Cow’s Milk?

by: Wyatt Myers

Most parents switch from breast milk (or formula) to pasteurized cow's milk around one year of age. A few months ago, we made the switch with our son, thinking it would be easy. But he flat-out refused to drink it—at first. We continued to try (using the tips in this article to coax!) until we finally succeeded, but a lingering question remained for me and my wife: Knowing how important breast milk and breastfeeding is for a child, was our son missing out on essential nutrients by making this switch from breast milk to cow's milk? Here, experts explain why many parents make the switch and how to handle the transition.

Why switch?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), once your baby celebrates his first birthday, you can begin to offer him cow's milk, provided he is eating a variety of solid foods (cereals, vegetables, fruits, and meats). Many parents continue to breastfeed beyond their child's first birthday. The World Health Organization actually recommends breastfeeding (in addition to age-appropriate solid foods) until a child is at least 2 years old given the many benefits of breastfeeding and human milk. But if you (or your baby) are ready to wean and your baby is at least 1 year old, you can safely transition to cow's milk.

Whole milk or low-fat?
Whole milk provides many of the important nutrients babies needs. If you're concerned (like we were) that your child might be missing out on important nutrients, don't be. According to Heather Russell, R.D., a pediatric registered dietitian at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Paterson, New Jersey, "It is appropriate to advance the child to whole milk after one year, so the child will continue to receive calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D to help with development and growth of teeth and bones."

If a mother and her baby are ready to transition from breast milk to cow's milk, the consensus among our experts is that whole, vitamin D-fortified cow's milk is the best choice unless the child has weight issues. At this age, fat should make up about half of a baby's daily caloric intake, so the higher fat content in whole milk is essential. Babies also need the vitamin A available from whole milk.

However, according to the AAP, if your baby is overweight or at risk of being overweight, or you have a family history of obesity, high blood pressure, or heart disease, your baby's pediatrician might recommend 2 percent milk as an alternative. One percent or skim milk are not recommended until your baby reaches his second birthday. For babies with no risk factors, whole milk is preferred.

"I usually recommend whole milk until the second year of age due to its higher fat content, which is necessary for proper brain development and growth," says Russell. "However, in certain cases if the child is already overweight or has a history of cardiac issues such as high cholesterol, I would recommend 2 percent milk."

Some parents choose organic milk because of concerns over the use of bovine growth hormone in dairy cows. "There is no data concerning bovine growth hormone sufficient enough to recommend organic," says Ari Brown, M.D., a pediatrician in Austin, Texas, and co-author of Expecting 411, Baby 411 and Toddler 411. "Plus, some manufacturers of commercial non-organic milk are rBGH free now, too."

Tips for making the switch
Sometimes, switching to whole milk can be challenging not only for parents, but for the baby, too. At first, your baby might refuse to drink the milk, especially if he doesn't like the taste or isn't accustomed to drinking from a cup. Here are some tips for helping your baby transition to cow's milk:

• Gradually switch from breast or bottle to a cup before your baby's first birthday, says Dr. Russell, so that he can get used to drinking from another source.

• If your baby is rejecting the cow's milk because of the taste, start by combining it with breast milk. "Sometimes if mom can pump some milk and mix some of the cow's milk with it to get them used to the taste, that helps," says Kenneth Wible, M.D., medical director of the Pediatric Care Center at Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics in Kansas City. "Then they can gradually increase the percentage of cow's milk and reduce the amount of breast milk."

• Russell adds that persistence is key as you make the transition. "Parents might find it helpful to offer the milk in small spoonfuls or mixed with familiar foods until the child gets more accustomed to the new taste," she says. "Using a fun or colorful cup might also help to encourage the child to try the milk."

Generally, your 1- to 2-year-old should have between 16 and 24 ounces of milk each day. The AAP cautions parents to limit a baby's milk intake to one quart (32 ounces) per day. More than this can provide too many calories and may decrease a baby's appetite for other foods. Offer cow's milk at mealtimes, along with some water, or in between meals as a snack. If you're struggling with getting your baby to drink milk, you can try whole-fat yogurt made especially for babies, or calcium-rich vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, leafy greens, or pinto beans. Juices fortified with calcium or whole soy milk can also be good choices.

Some babies transition to cow's milk at age 1, others at age 2 or 3, and some never acquire a taste for cow's milk. Every baby is different. Your baby will let you know when he is ready for a new skill (drinking from a cup) and a new taste (cow's milk).

Human Milk for Human Babies

Breastfeeding is the natural continuation of pregnancy. Human babies are meant to receive their mothers’ milk immediately after they are born, and for about the first six months of life, mothers’ milk is all that babies need to promote normal, healthy growth and development. Breastmilk contains scores, even hundreds of factors that protect the newborn from illness and provide exactly the balance of proteins, healthy fats and sugars, and everything else the baby needs to continue the growth that began in the womb and produced the amazing little human being that he is at birth. A healthy newborn does not need anything other than his mother’s milk; in fact, anything else given to the baby will change the perfect balance in his gut (intestinal tract) and will interfere with nature’s provision of a perfect system to protect him from all of the bacteria and viruses that are present around him once he leaves the safety of the womb and comes into the world. Because of this, no formula, water or anything else should be given to the baby unless there is a medical reason for it. (AAP Policy Statement on Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk. http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;115/2/496). Supplements of water or formula given to the breastfeeding baby also “interfere with the mother to infant biology of breastfeeding,” (A Woman’s Guide to Breastfeeding, American Academy of Pediatrics, 2002, p. 11), and will result in the mother having a lower milk supply and the baby receiving less benefit from her milk.

Although formula companies want us to believe that their products come close to breastmilk, and they spend millions of dollars advertising the “new” components that they discover and add to an increasing number of formulas available, the truth is that breastmilk can never be duplicated. Breastmilk is a living, changing fluid. Each mother’s milk contains antibodies to exactly the germs that she and her baby are exposed to in their own environment. As the baby grows, there are also changes that take place in the make-up of the milk that make it perfectly suited to the changing needs of the newborn, infant and toddler. Dr. Jack Newman, a leading expert in the breastfeeding field, states: “The differences between cow’s milk and formula are much smaller than the differences between formula and breastmilk.” (Newman, Jack, MD. The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers, Prima Publishing Roseville, CA: 2000, p. 13.) He goes on to say: “All pregnant women and their families need to know the risks of formula feeding. It does matter. All should be encouraged to breastfeed, and all should get the best support available start breastfeeding once the baby arrives.” (Ibid.)

Why, if it is the natural way to feed a baby, does it seem so hard to breastfeed? Why do so many mothers try and fail? Why do so many pediatricians advise moms to stop breastfeeding and switch to formula at the first sign of trouble?

The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends breastfeeding without giving the baby any other foods for the first six months, and that breastfeeding continue with the gradual addition of other foods in the second half of baby’s first year. They recommend “that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mutually desired.” (American Academy of Pediatrics Work Group on Breastfeeding, Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk, Pediatrics Vol 100 No. 6, December, 1997, p.1037)

In spite of this strong position on the importance of breastfeeding, many nurses, doctors and other health care providers do not have the specific training needed to adequately help mothers and babies who are experiencing breastfeeding difficulty. Often breastfeeding failure happens because hospital procedures in the hours and days after the baby’s birth prevent the normal progression of lactogenesis (the process by which the mother’s milk supply is established) or a misunderstanding of the newborn’s feeding patterns leads to the early use of bottles and pacifiers in the absence of a medical need for such intervention. This causes subtle changes in the way the baby sucks, and makes some babies begin to refuse the breast and to prefer the very rapid flow of milk from the bottle. Even if a baby has had some bottles and has begun to show a preference for the bottle rather than the breast, it is not too late! Most young babies can learn to breastfeed effectively, and most mothers can establish a good milk supply with the right kind of help and support.

Board Certified Lactation Consultants have special training in helping overcome some of these breastfeeding problems. The earlier a mother gets help, the easier it should be to establish breastfeeding even if a mom and baby have a rough start and encounter problems in the beginning. Other good sources of help are La Leche League, a volunteer organization with chapters in most places in the USA and Canada, as well as in many other countries. In the USA, most local WIC offices have resources to help mothers who want to breastfeed their babies. Go to http://www.ilca.org/falc.html for a list of Certified Lactation Consultants in your area.

While it is ideal for mother and baby to be together so that baby can feed frequently during the day and night, many moms today face the reality of returning to the workplace within weeks of the baby’s birth. It is entirely possible to provide your milk to your baby even if you must be separated for many hours of the day. Do not let the necessity of working outside your home rob you and your baby of this priceless gift.

Look for the information about pumping if you must be away from your baby and still want to provide him/her with your milk.

Breast-feeding is the gold standard for your baby!

Source: http://www.baby-needs.com.au/human-milk-for-human-babies/

Benefit From Carrying Babies With Baby Sling Carriers

Many a times it can be very embarrassing for nursing mothers to breastfeed their baby when they at a public place. Most breastfeeding mothers would shy off to corner and do the needful. With the baby carrier wraps, you don’t need to be shy any more. Along with the breastfeeding advantage, they offer a lot of comfort to the babies and the mothers. Fathers too don’t feel shy to use them these days. There are different types of baby carrier wraps available these days.Such wraps proffer best reassurance to mothers and babies and interestingly even fathers don’t face nervousness in the present scenario these days as they use baby wraps available in different shapes and categories.

Most of the baby carrier wraps are made of very soft materials and give the much needed warmth to the baby. If you are living in a cold climate, you may want to buy & also that are made of warm fabrics such as wool. If you are staying in a warm climate, then you may want to get the baby carrier wraps which are made of comfortable fabrics such as cotton. When you go shopping for these, you may want to make a cost comparison of the different wraps.Soft materials are used in the manufacturing of such baby carrier wraps. They provide utmost care and comfort to the babies which they deserve. This step is taken to keep babies in best comfort which he/she needs. Compare price range of different baby carrier wraps while purchasing an item for your baby. It is prudent step you take to make your shopping easier.

There are many baby shops that offer good discounts. If you have a lot of variety to choose from, you may get totally confused. If you have the time, you may want to try out the baby carrier wraps and see what suits you the best. Most of them have got good designs and the shape of the baby carrier wraps distributes the weight of the baby uniformly giving the parent less backaches and muscle cramps.Life becomes very difficult when you are holding an infant and doing your daily work at the same time. You are often called as the one handed parent because you are holding the baby in one hand and doing the work with the other. It becomes very easy when you have the baby tied up in the baby carrier wraps. In addition to the daily work, you can also get a respite when you are traveling long distances.

Baby hip carriers are very similar to the baby carrier wraps. Both of these baby carriers offer good support and solace to the mother and the babies. They are very good gift items and can be given during the christening celebrations. If baby carrier wraps are best suited for smaller babies, the baby hip carriers a most suited for bigger babies. Most of the times, when parents carry bigger babies, they feel a lot of pressure on the arms and the back. This can even lead back pain and other complications may also occur.

After you have identified the need for a good baby carrier, the next task is to buy the one that suits your budget and taste. When you are buying baby carrier wraps or baby hip carriers, you need to look out at three most important aspects. They are:

o Style

o Comfort

o Versatility

In some cases people with enough money buy multiple baby carrier wraps or baby hip carriers for babies. Keep noted that such items should be kept clean as they are prone to miniature insects and dust mites hence cleanliness is a must in such circumstances.These dust mites may even cause allergies in infants and may also lead to severe conditions such as asthma. If you don’t have the expertise of washing the baby carrier wraps or baby hip carriers, you can have the cleaners and washers do the cleaning and drying for you.Babies can have asthma or other allergies due to these dust mites. The condition may turn severe hence cleanliness should be given first preference. Ask the cleaners or dryers to wash and clean your baby carrier wraps or baby hip carriers in case you don’t have facility to do so.Problem with dust mites is that they invite allergies and chronic problems in babies. Your infant may develop asthmatic conditions hence careful approach must be your first priority. Consult professional cleaners or dryers to wash your baby carrier wraps or baby hip carriers if you are not able to maintain them.

Source : http://www.baby-needs.com.au/benefit-from-carrying-babies-with-baby-sling-carriers/

Babies Born by C-Section More Vulnerable

When infants are born by cesarean section they miss receiving important good bacteria from their mothers. Missing this, according to Professor Patricia Conway, leaves them more vulnerable to health problems such as asthma and allergies.

Professor Patricia Conway of the School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences at the University of New South Wales, warns that babies miss out on the good bacteria they need that is found in their mother’s birth canal. As this bacteria grows on the skin, it eventually makes its way into the baby’s intestines. There it can colonize and make the beginnings of a balanced and healthy immune system.

“With a c-section, the newborn baby misses an opportunity to pick up a lot of Mum’s good bacteria,” Professor Conway said. “This can have long-term health implications, as the development of a good intestinal ecosystem is necessary for health and immunity to allergies, from childhood right through to adulthood.”

While c-sections that occur after labor has begun allow babies to be exposed to some of the necessary bacterial, elective cesarean sections have more sterile conditions. If the waters have already broken, some of the good bacteria does make its way to the baby.

Other studies have shown that infants born vaginally and those born by c-section have different white blood cells, which may affect how their bodies respond to illnesses. Australian College of Midwives vice-president Hannah Dahlen says infants born by c-section also miss important hormonal signals that occur during labor and teach their bodies how to handle stresses.

    ”In labour, the baby has a gradual escalation in its stress response and then a gradual decline. Research has shown that this could prime our bodies to respond to stress in a certain way,” she said.

    ”With a c-section, there is a cold cut and the baby has a dramatic stress response. It could be setting that child up to always over-respond to stress.”

Missing out on the good bacteria and hormone changes cold be to blame for the higher rates of asthma, diabetes, and some cancers Dahlen feels.

Babies also receive some of their mother’s bacteria after birth through breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact. However, studies from Europe still show that babies born by c-section are 20 percent more likely to develop diabetes.

Source : http://www.growingyourbaby.com/2010/05/31/babies-born-by-c-section-more-vulnerable/