When Can I Start Giving My Baby Dairy Products?

Deciding to start giving baby dairy products can be tricky for the parents. However, including dairy products in the infant diet is good for their development. What types of dairy products are good for the baby? When to start or what is the right quantity, etc. It is obvious to have these concerns. To get all the information about start Giving My Baby Dairy Products. Stay tuned with us.

What is The Right Time to Start Giving Baby Dairy Products?

Medical experts suggest keeping the baby breastfed for at least six months. Breast milk is the best for the physical and mental development of babies. It contains all the essential nutrients like calcium, vitamins etc., for the baby’s proper growth. In the absence of breast milk, you can choose formula milk as it also contains all nutrients that a baby needs. Moreover, it is completely digestible to the baby.

After six months, when it is advisable to start solid food along with breast milk or formula milk, you can give to start your baby dairy products. After 6 months, the baby can easily digest dairy products. Moreover, the babies begin to recognize the taste of the food and enjoy having them. From the age of 7 months onwards, alone milk is not sufficient for the growth of the baby. So starting solid food with dairy products keeps them fuller and their health in check.

How to Choose the Right Dairy Products For the Baby?

Yogurt, cheese, and cow milk are the best baby dairy products to support your baby’s development. But you should be aware of some precautions that I will mention further in the post. Here is more explanation about the dairy products that are good for the baby:

Yogurt

You can start giving yogurt to your baby from 6 to 8 months. Yogurt is one of the best baby dairy products. It contains a sufficient amount of protein, fat, calcium, etc. Moreover, it is easy on the tummy. Yogurt is full of vitamin D, which is good for the strength of the bones. Choose plain and homemade yogurt for your baby. But, you should avoid artificial sweeteners. You can add fruit pulp or juice to enhance the taste of the yogurt.

Here are some cases then you need to consult with your paediatrician before adding yogurt to your baby’s diet:

• Your baby is lactose intolerant 
• Any type of milk allergy
• Your baby is suffering from eczema or asthma

Once you have confirmed your baby is not allergic, then you can choose the following combination of the yogurt to offer a different taste to your baby:

• Yogurt with bananas
• Yogurt with boiled veggies
• Give a try yogurt-based smoothies.
• Boiled carrot with yogurt
• You can mix black salt with yogurt to try something salty for your baby. Make sure to use a little bit of salt, as an excessive amount of salt is not good for your baby.
• You can mix yogurt with the mashed apple.

Anyway, you can try lots of yogurt based-combination to feed your baby. Most babies love the taste of the yogurt, but just in case your baby is not feeding, don’t quit feeding it. Try different yogurt combinations. After some time, your baby will surely love it.

Whole or Cow’s Milk 

People have couples of questions about baby dairy products. Choosing whole or Cow’s milk is one of the most common queries. The eldest people in our home, like mothers-in-law, grandmothers etc., believe that cow milk is so light and nutritious and the best option for the kids after six months. But as per the medical experts, cow milk is not recommended for babies under 12 months as it may cause iron deficiency, dehydration and allergy.

If your baby is one year and more, then you can begin to give whole milk as it is the best option for developing the baby’s brain. Cow’s milk contains a high amount of calcium for healthy bones and teeth. But you should add cow milk after your baby completes one year. At this time, your baby can digest milk easily.

Cheese

You can introduce cheese to your baby, but first, you must check it. Your baby should not have any allergy to milk if your baby is taking milk comfortably. Whether breastfeeding or formula milk, you can begin giving cheese to your baby after eight months.

You can spread cheese on the bread or directly give your baby. So, you can introduce your baby dairy products after six or eight months. But you should remember that you should not give dairy products in excess amount.

How Much Should I Give My Baby Dairy Products?

As per the medical expert, the consumption of whole milk should not be more than 24 ounces a day for an infant between 1 and 2 years. Eight ounces of yogurt a day is enough for your baby. Half an ounce of cheese a day is enough for the growth and development of the baby.

However, yogurt, cheese, and whole milk are the best baby dairy products. But you should give dairy products in limit. Otherwise, your baby will start to avoid other foods.

Every baby is different, and also their digestion process works differently. So, you should keep an eye to check your baby’s dairy products. If your baby is not taking the whole milk comfortably , then you can give him only yogurt.

Conclusion

You can introduce your baby diary products after 6 months. But then also you should consult once with Paediatrician. You should not stop breastfeeding if you give your baby dairy products. Make sure to continue breastfeeding your baby.

Cow milk is not digestible for babies, so if you want to give your baby, you must wait for one year. At the time, the baby may be able to digest cow milk. If your family has a medical history of lactose intolerance, then introduce the dairy products to your baby after one or two years.

FAQ’s Regarding Starting Giving Baby Dairy Products

Here are the answers to the most asked questions about baby dairy products that will tell you more about the benefits of the dairy products to your baby: