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Is It Okay To Give Cows Milk To Babies Less Than A Year Old?

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Posted on Wed, 5 Mar 2025
Question: My baby is 8 months old,he is 8.5 kgs and really active.Hr is on exclusive breastfeeding since his birth and I started giving solids after 6 months.However,nowadays my breast min is not sufficient for him and have planned to feed formula once or twice a day.I have consulted our peadatrician and he told give formula .
however elders at home insist on giving cows milk instead.
1.Is it okay to give cows milk to babies less than a year old?
2.My baby completes 8 month on this January 27th,but he doesn't sit by himself,he gets to crawling position and pretty active but doesn't try to sit up,is this a concern ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammed Aslam TK (42 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Better to give formula milk till 1 year of age

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

It is better to avoid cow milk before 1 year of age, as the concentration and type of proteins and minerals contained are not ideal for babies. Although formula milks are prepared from cow milk, here this disadvantage is masked to some extent by adjusting concentration of proteins and minerals. Hence, formula is recommended over plain cow milk until 1 year of age. After 1 year, cow milk may be started.

There is nothing to worry regarding her development. By 8 months babies can sit with support, and by 10 months without support. But a 4-6 weeks deviation from this is allowed and is normal.

I hope this answer will help
Let me know if I can assist you further
Dr Muhammed Aslam, Paediatrician
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
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Answered by
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Dr. Muhammed Aslam TK

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 2019 Questions

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Is It Okay To Give Cows Milk To Babies Less Than A Year Old?

Brief Answer: Better to give formula milk till 1 year of age Detailed Answer: Hi, It is better to avoid cow milk before 1 year of age, as the concentration and type of proteins and minerals contained are not ideal for babies. Although formula milks are prepared from cow milk, here this disadvantage is masked to some extent by adjusting concentration of proteins and minerals. Hence, formula is recommended over plain cow milk until 1 year of age. After 1 year, cow milk may be started. There is nothing to worry regarding her development. By 8 months babies can sit with support, and by 10 months without support. But a 4-6 weeks deviation from this is allowed and is normal. I hope this answer will help Let me know if I can assist you further Dr Muhammed Aslam, Paediatrician