Why can’t babies drink yogurt? Nutrition experts tell you the answer

Many parents may have heard that babies cannot drink yogurt, but they don’t know why. In fact, the reason is very simple. Yogurt will stimulate the human gastrointestinal system and cause great harm to the baby’s stomach. Drinking yogurt may cause diarrhea in babies.

1. Why can't babies drink yogurt?

Yogurt has high nutritional value, and parents are happy to let their children drink yogurt. However, babies under one year old cannot drink it. First of all, the acidity of yogurt may cause damage to the baby's stomach and intestines. During infancy, the gastrointestinal system is not yet fully developed, the gastric mucosal barrier is not sound, and the activity of gastric acid and pepsin is low, which is only 1/2 of that in adults at 4 to 6 months. Yogurt is acidified during the processing process and has a low pH value. Once it enters the gastrointestinal tract, it may "corrode" the baby's delicate gastrointestinal mucosa and affect digestion and absorption. Secondly, the microbial flora in the gastrointestinal tract of infants is in the growth and change stage and is not yet stable. Drinking yogurt may cause excessive intake of probiotics, leading to an imbalance in the ecological balance of the original microbial flora in the intestine, thereby causing intestinal diseases. By the way, I would like to remind you that babies should be exclusively breastfed within 4 to 6 months as much as possible, and then gradually add infant formula milk. Ordinary yogurt or milk does not contain high iron content, and the protein content is not suitable for babies under 1 year old.

2. Can babies drink yogurt?

Babies can drink yogurt. Yogurt not only retains all the advantages of milk, but also during the fermentation process, the lactose and protein in the milk are broken down into small molecules (such as galactose), which are easier to digest and absorb. The fat content is also twice that of milk. For babies who are prone to diarrhea after drinking milk, drinking yogurt will less likely cause bloating, gas, or diarrhea. Yogurt increases the active lactic acid bacteria, which can promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestines, inhibit the reproduction and action of putrefactive bacteria, thereby promoting the secretion of digestive enzymes and intestinal peristalsis in the body, and reducing the occurrence of diarrhea and constipation. Moreover, babies grow and develop quickly and need more nutrition, but their stomach capacity is small. Choosing foods with high nutrient and energy density is more beneficial for babies with immature digestive function.

But it should be noted that whether babies can drink yogurt should depend on their age. Yogurt is not suitable for infants and premature babies. Babies over one year old can drink it in small amounts, because babies under three years old should mainly feed on milk powder.

3. How old can babies drink yogurt?

Yogurt contains less calcium, and babies are growing and developing and need a lot of calcium. In addition, the antibiotics produced by lactic acid bacteria in yogurt can inhibit and eliminate many pathogenic microorganisms, but they also destroy the growth conditions of bacteria that are beneficial to the human body. It also affects normal digestive function, especially for babies with gastroenteritis and premature babies.

Babies over one year old can drink a small amount of yogurt. However, it is best for babies under three years old to feed mainly with formula milk, which has a more comprehensive and scientific nutritional component and can meet the baby's growth and development needs.

The acid in yogurt can increase the acidity of stomach contents, promote the action of digestive enzymes, and inhibit the growth of E. coli. Therefore, it is suitable for children with weak digestive ability and infant diarrhea. The nutrients it contains are the same as fresh milk and are easier to digest than fresh milk. Therefore, it can be used as a milk substitute. However, after yogurt is prepared, it cannot be cooked again, so it can only be drunk cold or warmed in the bottle in warm water before drinking. Babies over six months old can drink yogurt with less calcium. Newborns are growing and developing and need a lot of calcium. In addition, the antibiotics produced by lactic acid bacteria in yogurt can inhibit and eliminate many pathogenic microorganisms, but at the same time they also destroy the growth conditions of beneficial bacteria to the human body. It also affects normal digestive function, especially for infants with gastroenteritis and premature babies. Moreover, giving babies yogurt too early will also develop their preference for sweets.