Started With Solid Foods For Child. Start On Formula Milk? Get Lactose?
We have just started with solid foods for our kid. We are giving smashed vegetables, rice with dhal, fruits. She is still under mother's milk. My wife may have to join her office in a couple of months, so can we start any formula milk? Can we get Lactogen? We have heard that dairy milk is not advisable for kids till 1 yr of age. Is it true? Please advice.
Thanks,
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Thanks for posting your query.
Mothers milk is the best for the baby and if possible should be continued along with solids till at least one year of age .For working women who go for short periods or who can make it feasible the best alternative is to give expressed breast milk which can be given by a spoon to the infant.It can be expressed via breast pump and stored in sterile containers in refrigerator or room temperature(<6hrs).It does not need to be boiled just thaw to bring to normal temperature .
The second alternative preferred is formula milk like lactogen or Nan or any other formula . These contain similar contents like that of breast milk and can easily be prepared.Their digestibility is better compared to dairy milk.
Yes , it's true that cows milk is not advised for children less than one year of age as the content and solute load of the milk is not very similar to breast milk and sometimes can upset the child's gastrointestinal system or kidneys.
Also if there is no option then diluted pasteurized cows milk can be given . Sometimes even after such precautions some infants have cows milk allergy in which case they develop diarrhoea, indigestion and therefore less preferred till their gut becomes mature enough to handle it.
So you can decide any of the above methods depending on your choice and convenience. In any case remember to continue breastfeeding at night or whenever your wife can make it feasible.Also try to avoid bottle feeding and go for bowl and spoon feeding instead as the chances of any complications like infection are much less in it.
Hope I have answered your query.
Wishing you good health.
Regards