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Cow's milk for infants and children   

Overview | Recommendations

Recommendations

Skim or 2% milk:
Under one year of age, skim and 2% (low-fat) milk have no place in the diet. They supply too much protein, potassium, and sodium while not enough calories for the growing infant. Children also need the fat for proper growth and development including brain development.

Low fat milks are not the answer for an overweight baby. The desirable diet is the same as that of a normal weight infant; the amount is the only difference. Conferring with a registered dietitian or physician is recommended. The recommendation will probably be a reduction in the amount of intake, not the type of intake. A slight reduction of calories by reducing the amount will allow the infant to "grow into his weight" without a rapid change in body fat. Rapid weight loss can be dangerous, particularly in a small child. An extreme reduction of fat stores might not leave enough energy stores for the infant to combat a serious illness. Many physicians question the serious unknown consequences of a rapid loss of fat.

Suggested Intake - Infants:

• Breast Milk:
  • every 1-3 hrs for infants 0-3 months
  • every 2-4 hrs for infants 4-5 months
  • every 3-4 hrs for infants 6-8 months
  • every 4-5 hrs for infants 9-12 months
• Iron fortified Formula:
  • 18-40 oz. for infants 0-3 months
  • 24-45 oz. for infants 4-5 months
  • 24-37 oz. for infants 6-8 months
  • 24-31 oz. for infants 9-12 months
• Dairy:
  • none for infants 0-3 months
  • none for infants 4-5 months
  • none for infants 6-8 months
  • small servings for infants 9-12 months

Suggested intake - children 2 to 5 years of age:

• cow's milk
  • 6 servings/day
  • one servings equals:
    • 1/2 cup milk, yogurt, pudding
    • 3/4 oz. cheese
    • 1 cup cottage cheese

Suggested intake - teens and adults (The equivalent of one of the following is recommended):

• milk/yogurt (1 cup)
  • 3-4 servings/day
• 1 1/2 oz. natural cheese
  • 2-3 servings/day
• 2 oz. processed cheese
  • 4 servings/day

See also: infant formulas

Ency. home > Nutrition > C > Cow's milk for infants and children

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