Can a three-year-old child drink milk regularly?

During the process of growth and development, children need to supplement a variety of nutrients to ensure their comprehensive and healthy development. Calcium and protein are nutrients that children must supplement. Milk is rich in calcium and protein, so many parents like to give their children milk. However, if the child is relatively young, for example, before the age of three, he cannot drink milk frequently. Here are the reasons for this!

1. Why shouldn’t babies drink milk before 3 years old?

1. Protein: Milk is the main source of protein for babies and an important nutrient for their healthy development. Protein is composed of whey protein and casein. The ratio of whey protein to casein in breast milk is 60:40, while that in cow's milk is 20:80. Babies under 3 years old have incomplete intestinal development and weak digestive ability, making it difficult for them to digest and absorb protein.

2. Nutrients: Babies need adequate nutrition for their development, such as protein, fat, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, unsaturated fatty acids, calcium, iron, zinc, etc. The types and contents of nutrients in pure milk, fresh milk or milk drinks cannot meet the needs of babies. They are not special products for infants. Infant milk powder is specially formulated based on cow's milk/goat's milk and is far superior to cow's milk/goat's milk.

3. Digestion and absorption: Not only are the types and contents of nutrients in milk weaker than those in infant formula, but in terms of digestion and absorption, not much milk can be effectively utilized by the baby, and digestion and absorption is relatively poor. In addition, the lactose in fresh milk is mainly α-lactose, which will inhibit bifidobacteria and promote the production of Escherichia coli, which can easily induce gastrointestinal diseases in infants. At the same time, the minerals in fresh milk will increase the burden on the kidneys, causing children to experience symptoms such as chronic dehydration, dry stools, and inflammation.

4. Drinking temperature: It is generally recommended that the best temperature for babies to drink milk or water is around 37°C, so as not to be too cold to irritate the stomach and intestines. Milk is generally at room temperature or relatively cool, which can irritate the baby's stomach and intestines.

2. What to eat at different ages?

0-6 months: The "Infant Feeding Guidelines" (0-6 months) issued by the Chinese Nutrition Society points out that the first food for a newborn should be breast milk, and exclusive breastfeeding should be maintained within 6 months of age. This also coincides with the initiative of the World Health Organization. However, there are always mothers who do not have enough breast milk or have no breast milk, or who are unable to breastfeed. In this case, infant formula is a better choice.

7-36 months: Babies can choose a mixed feeding method of breast milk + formula, and add complementary foods at the same time.

The American Academy of Pediatrics once pointed out that "after a child is one year old, he can be given pure milk every day, but he must also be given a balanced diet of complementary foods (cereals, vegetables, fruits and meat)." In addition, the "Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents" mentions that it is best to continue breastfeeding after the age of one. If breastfeeding is not possible, choose formula milk. It does not mention that pure milk can be drunk.

3. At what age can babies drink milk?

Although it is said that babies can drink pure milk/fresh milk over one year old, considering the physical constitution, nutritional needs, product additives and other factors of Chinese babies, it is recommended that babies drink milk after the age of three, and it is not recommended for babies to drink milk beverages. At the same time, during the 4-7 years old stage, which belongs to the preschool period, babies have higher nutritional needs and develop faster, and need adequate dietary nutrition. It is recommended that they drink special children's formula milk, or infant formula milk, or exclusive children's milk, rather than ordinary pure milk.