Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Is It Safe To Feed A 5 Month Old With Packet Milk?
Question: Hello Dr,
I am a first time father for a girl child who is 5 months old, our baby is 500 gms less in the average weight; we got a suggestion from the local child specialist to feed small quantities of packet milk to the baby so that she gets to the normal weight levels, but I am concerned on feeding packet milk even if its a small quantity.
Is this kind of feeding Packet milk to baby usual?
I am a first time father for a girl child who is 5 months old, our baby is 500 gms less in the average weight; we got a suggestion from the local child specialist to feed small quantities of packet milk to the baby so that she gets to the normal weight levels, but I am concerned on feeding packet milk even if its a small quantity.
Is this kind of feeding Packet milk to baby usual?
Brief Answer:
I would not recommend giving packet milk. Breast milk best option.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
Congratulations on having a baby. Breast milk is the best possible feed for a baby upto 6 months of age. Forumula milks are cow milk based and hence difficult to digest. So, needless to say, I would not recommend giving packet milk. Moreso, if breast milk can be procured, please do not look for any other options. If breast milk is not adequate, you can do an early weaning with semi solids. In fact, although milk contains important nutrients, milk no longer remains an essential component of the child's diet. If you can provide other sources of nutrients, milk would just be an optional component.
Since I do not recommend packet milk, I am not mentioning any particular brand.
Hope that helps.
Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
I would not recommend giving packet milk. Breast milk best option.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
Congratulations on having a baby. Breast milk is the best possible feed for a baby upto 6 months of age. Forumula milks are cow milk based and hence difficult to digest. So, needless to say, I would not recommend giving packet milk. Moreso, if breast milk can be procured, please do not look for any other options. If breast milk is not adequate, you can do an early weaning with semi solids. In fact, although milk contains important nutrients, milk no longer remains an essential component of the child's diet. If you can provide other sources of nutrients, milk would just be an optional component.
Since I do not recommend packet milk, I am not mentioning any particular brand.
Hope that helps.
Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for your reply Dr,
There is no issue with breast milk; it is adequately available, but our child seems to be little less in the weight, one reason for that might be because after feeding breast milk some part of it usually comes out from her mouth (kind of vomiting), please suggest how we could avoid this from happening.
I will not feed packet milk.
Another question which I would like to ask is about my child's habit of keeping her fingers/clothes inside her mouth, she does that all the time, some times this also becomes a reason for the milk to come out even after drinking, is it normal and if possible please suggest a way to make her avoid this habit.
There is no issue with breast milk; it is adequately available, but our child seems to be little less in the weight, one reason for that might be because after feeding breast milk some part of it usually comes out from her mouth (kind of vomiting), please suggest how we could avoid this from happening.
I will not feed packet milk.
Another question which I would like to ask is about my child's habit of keeping her fingers/clothes inside her mouth, she does that all the time, some times this also becomes a reason for the milk to come out even after drinking, is it normal and if possible please suggest a way to make her avoid this habit.
Brief Answer:
Breast milk is best for weight gain of the baby
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
Breast milk is the best way to help your child grow weight. The birth weight should double by 5 months counting from the expected date of delivery (not from birth date). If that seems to be on the way, you need not worry. If that seems far, you can add one XXXXXXX of HMF thrice daily in feeds of expressed breast milk.
Let me tell you to accept the fact that the child WILL put things in the mouth. At this age, as the teething is in process, the gums are sore and biting on things provides relief. Try to surround the baby with things that pose no harm if put in the mouth
If you found my answer to be helpful, please close the thread with a positive review and a 5 star rating.
Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Breast milk is best for weight gain of the baby
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
Breast milk is the best way to help your child grow weight. The birth weight should double by 5 months counting from the expected date of delivery (not from birth date). If that seems to be on the way, you need not worry. If that seems far, you can add one XXXXXXX of HMF thrice daily in feeds of expressed breast milk.
Let me tell you to accept the fact that the child WILL put things in the mouth. At this age, as the teething is in process, the gums are sore and biting on things provides relief. Try to surround the baby with things that pose no harm if put in the mouth
If you found my answer to be helpful, please close the thread with a positive review and a 5 star rating.
Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
