Milk is rich in calcium and protein and this is the most important thing that many parents try to get their baby to have enough of. From fresh milk to packaged milk, there are a variety of options to select from, but which one is the best for your infant? This article throws light on different types of milk products with its suitability to give to your baby:
Is It Safe to Give Packaged Milk to your Baby?
The treatment of packaged milk with heat is used to kill any bacteria or any pathogens that can cause diseases. Most processes such as safety checks and pasteurization must be undergone before the milk is ready to be packaged and put on the market.
When Can You Introduce Packet Milk to your Infant?
Babies below six months should be exclusively be given breast milk as it consists of all the essential nutrients that your infant will be required to grow at this stage in life. Packet milk can be introduced into your infant’s diet as you start weaning him or her off a breast milk diet by including a spoon or two in the food that you prepare for them at six months and above.
Different Types of Packaged Milk
There are different types of milk available in the market. They are as follows:
1. Toned Milk
Toned milk is an Indian concept but many confuse it with the skimmed milk. Toned milk is composed of whole milk which is mixed with water, skimmed milk, and powdered skimmed milk. It consists of very little fat. It is best used for five-year-old and above.
Pros and Cons
Toned milk contains some of the nutritional value as whole milk, but it does not consist of fat-soluble vitamins. As compared to skimmed milk, it is comparatively more affordable.
2. Semi-Skimmed Milk or Skimmed Milk
It is a non-fat milk. Skimmed milk has the cream removed which makes it low in fat, having only 0.3% of it available. It is suited to give five-year-old and above babies.
Pros and Cons
Skimmed milk helps in weight reduction, but unfortunately, it is not something that should be preferred giving your child as it lacks the fats required for your developing baby.
3. Tetra Pack Milk
Do you think the tetra pack is safe for babies? Let’s see.
Tetra Pack Milk is heated for the prescribed amount of time, cooled and immediately put into Tetra packs. You can give this milk to six months old and above babies.
Pros and Cons
The packaging helps the milk free from getting contaminated and retains the nutritional value of the milk it holds. However, the shelf-life is extended and this milk is very easy to transport.
Don’t over boil it as it would lead to a loss of nutritional value from it.
4. Organic Milk
This milk is full of nutrients that are vital for your baby. Organic milk is produced from those cows who have been fed a strictly organic diet and does not contain growth hormones or preventative medications. This milk is ideal to be fed to six months and above babies.
Pros and Cons
The milk is pure as it consists of no added hormones. It has natural omega 3, calcium and vitamin E available in it.
Organic milk is expensive compared to regular milk.
5. Whole Milk
This is called simply as “Milk.” Milk which consists of 3.5% of fat and is comparatively unadulterated. This milk is ideal to be fed to six months and above babies.
Pros and Cons
It is healthier to consume but is not good for those who have weight issues.
6. Evaporated Milk
This is known as unsweetened condensed milk. Evaporated milk is gently heated and consists of 60% of the water removed. Consider giving this evaporated milk to your child only if it is an emergency and not on any particular days.
Pros and Cons
The storage of canned evaporated milk can last up to a year and is enriched with vitamin D.
It is more costly than a regular milk.
Packaged Milk Vs Fresh Milk, Which is Suitable for Your Baby?
Fresh raw milk comes directly from the cow and is not treated but that requires boiling before consuming. Most of the parents usually go for fresh milk as it contains higher nutritional value than packaged milk. However, when it is about fresh milk, one needs to ensure that the cows producing milk are fed well and kept in a clean environment. You need to check for in fresh milk which are salmonella, listeria, Yersinia, E. Coli and others. Though they can be killed through boiling, sometimes they are very robust and remain alive even after.
For packaged milk, the big fat particles are broken down into smaller ones during the procedure of pasteurization, and these are a better source of fat for children. Healthy bacteria are also killed during the pasteurization process, and fresh milk is enriched in calcium and minerals.
So, if you’re thinking whether you can give packet milk to your baby is still running on your mind, be assured that as both fresh milk and packaged milk have their pros and cons, most of the experts suggest packaged milk as it is protected and easily available.
When weaning your baby off breast milk, try doing it slowly by introducing a little bit of milk into their food at a time. If there is an unexpected change of your infant is given too much of cow’s milk at a very young age, there is a higher chance of formation of allergies to cow’s milk. Babies need milk with a high fat and protein content to grow properly so avoid giving them toned or skimmed milk and stick to whole or organic milk.
Conclusion
After going through varieties of milk product, try giving your baby fresh milk that will help him or her boost the metabolism and effective development of baby’s brain and body.