Formula, not cow's milk, for babies
Milk is an inappropriate substitute for breastmilk
-Infant formulas are made to be like breastmilk, not cow's milk. That's because milk has:
- 2x the sodium, up to 3x the protein and 3x the phosphorus as breastmilk or infant formula – and that can be hard on an infant's immature kidneys
- Curds of protein that can upset a baby's stomach (remember Little Miss Muffett)
- And it doesn't have enough zinc, iron, or vitamins E or C to sustain Baby's rapid growth
- And it doesn't have enough of essential fatty acids and DHA for brain, nerve and eye development
After about a year of age, a baby can wean off of breast milk or infant formula and onto cow's milk. Then milk can be an important part of a healthy diet because it is a good source of calories, protein, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, and phosphorus.
