Until what age should I formula feed my baby? Expert advice

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Milk formula is the best substitute for mother's milk. She saves modern parents in a variety of life situations - from lack of breast milk to the need for an early exit of the mother to work. However, high-quality milk formula is not a cheap pleasure. That is why young parents who are forced to artificially feed their baby often ask themselves the question of how old to feed the child with formula, how nutritious and important it is for the growing infant's body.

Composition

Despite the abundance of brands, the composition of infant formula, in terms of quality and safety, is approximately the same. After all, the process of registering baby milk and sour-milk formulas is quite complicated, and the quality criteria are so strict that unscrupulous manufacturers simply do not touch on the topic of baby food.

Composition of milk formula:

1. Powdered milk is the basis of milk formula. It is made from whole cow or goat milk. Also, there are mixtures based on soy.
2. Vitamins and minerals servean essential additive for milk mixtures. Their number is strictly controlled at the legislative level.
3. Nucleotides are the builders of the cells of the human body.
4. Prebiotics help the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut and have a direct effect on baby's digestion.
5. Probiotics are directly beneficial microbes.
6. Polyunsaturated fatty acids are a group of substances that affect the development of the brain, vision and immunity.

Thinking about the age until which formula should be fed to the child, it is worth, first of all, to think about what benefits it can bring to the baby.

Benefit

Strict quality control of mixtures forces manufacturers to bring indicators as close as possible to the composition of mother's milk. However, the same substances found in the mixture and in breast milk are absorbed in the infant's body in different ways. Therefore, it is extremely important, even with minimal production, to fight for the fact that the child receives mother's milk, and not a mixture. But in the absence of such an opportunity, definitely, replacing breast milk with formula is the only reasonable way out.

The question of up to what age a child can be fed formula is, rather, something else. Most often, milk formula is used from a bottle. Therefore, many mothers are concerned whether sucking on a pacifier will affect the child's proper development, changes in bite or speech? Infant formula is a he althy, balanced product, and if you are afraid to drink your baby for a long timefrom a bottle, just let him drink it from a mug.

Can I feed my baby with cow or goat milk?

Milk formula appeared relatively recently, and, some 100 years ago, no one could have thought of any substitutes other than cow's or goat's milk. In this regard, a quite reasonable question arises, until what age should a child be fed formula milk and when can it be replaced with regular milk?

Whole milk is strictly not recommended for feeding babies who are not yet a year old. This is due to the fact that the amount of substances such as phosphorus and calcium significantly exceeds the norm contained in breast milk. Immature infant kidneys cannot cope with the removal of excess substances from the body, as a result of which, the baby has various symptoms of intoxication.

For these reasons, formula milk is the only safe substitute for human milk. In exceptional cases, when the mixture cannot be obtained, it is permissible to feed with animal milk, but only in a diluted form.

How to choose the right milk formula?

Since the composition of the mixtures is approximately the same, the choice should be based primarily on financial capabilities. Having decided on the price, pay attention to the labeling. The number "1" indicates that the mixture is adapted for a child under 6 months old. The number "2" marks mixtures for babies from 6 months to a year. Troika says that you can give it to children, starting fromsecond year of life.

Choosing special formulas should be discussed with the pediatrician who is monitoring your baby's development.

Until what age should I formula feed my baby?

Because formula is used as a substitute for mother's milk, feeding up to 6 months is not even negotiable. Any mixture is suitable for feeding a child of this age, including fermented milk, marked with the number "1".

When wondering how old a baby should be formula-fed, you should pay attention to the recommendations of pediatricians regarding natural breastfeeding. And they, therefore, say unequivocally about the occasion: feeding must be continued for up to six months, it is very desirable up to a year, and if possible, preferably up to two. The mixture, although inferior to breast milk in its qualities and composition, is nevertheless a balanced diet that contains everything necessary for the proper growth and development of babies.

What does Dr. Komarovsky say about artificial feeding?

At one of the lessons of the "School" the question was asked, until what age should a child be fed formula? Komarovsky gave detailed explanations.

If the mixture is not a supplement to breast milk, but has become the only means of feeding, then it can be replaced with cow's or goat's milk only after the baby is one year old. However, if the material possibilities of the family allow, then it is highly desirableand after a year, give the child exactly the mixture, not milk, because the mixture is he althier and certainly safer than milk.

Complementary food

Starting to feed the baby, some mothers tend to part with expensive mixtures as soon as possible. How important is formula during the introduction of complementary foods, and until what age should a child be fed formula if he is receiving complete complementary foods?

Complementary foods for babies begin at six months, but up to a year it should remain just complementary foods, that is, an addition to the mixture. Some believe that the formula is a complete balanced diet, and the introduction of complementary foods in the diet of a child up to a year is not necessary.

However, after six months, the baby becomes quite mobile, and for this he needs a lot of energy. No matter how wonderful the composition of infant formula is endowed with, it still remains liquid food, which is not capable of providing the required amount of energy reserves to the baby. Therefore, the introduction of complementary foods at this age is mandatory. Your baby will be full and full of energy, and you will save money by reducing the number of feedings with expensive formula.

After a year, the situation is changing radically. The child should receive good nutrition, and the mixture, in this case, becomes a useful addition to food.

Night feeding

Almost every mother asks quite a reasonable question, until what age should a child be fed formula at night? After all, it is night feedings that are associated with inconvenience and discomfort for parents.

Up to 6 months, night feedings are connected, rather, with necessity, therefore, at least half a year will have to endure. An older baby can easily sleep through the night, provided that he is properly fed, and he eats up during the day. A hungry child will not let parents sleep peacefully. This should be remembered, especially for those who believe that it is not necessary to give complementary foods for up to a year.

Recommendations from mix manufacturers

The very fact that there are mixtures labeled "4" intended for feeding children from one and a half years old, suggests that feeding does not end at one and a half years. More precisely, it is desirable to give the mixture, and not whole milk, even after the child reaches one and a half years.

Firstly, as has been repeatedly said, the mixture is rich in substances necessary for the growth and development of the child, which cannot be said about milk. Secondly, it is ideal for children prone to allergic reactions, especially if you choose it correctly and take into account all the recommendations of the pediatrician.

By and large, the mixture will not cause harm and will be useful at any age. Therefore, the question of up to what age to feed a child with a mixture is fundamental only from the point of view of necessity and material possibilities. Since after 3 years the body of any he althy child perfectly absorbs cow's or goat's milk, and the child at this age receives a varied diet, the need to buy expensive mixtures disappears by itself.yourself.