Bledidoc Advice
What type of milk should I offer my children between the ages of three and six years old?
Cow's milk contains a lot of protein, salts and harmful fats and a small quantity of Iron, Zinc and fatty acids.
Studies have also shown that consuming cow's milk by children might lead to Iron deficiency and even anemia, which will negatively affect the child's growth and health(1). Studies have also shown that consuming protein-rich milk such as cow's milk, may lead to an increase in weight or obesity at a later age.(2,3)
Milk intended for children between three to six years old, contains two to three times more Iron than cow's milk, and protein two to three times less, Calcium, fifteen times more, Vitamin C, seven times more, and Vitamin D, fifteen times more, in addition to the wide availability of essential fatty acids and Zinc for brain development, it’s also important to note the fact that different salts are extracted from the formula to avoid kidney fatigue in children.(4,5,6)
Therefore, formulated milk suitable for children’s age is better and more adequate than natural cow's milk.
Milk derivatives and substitutes:
There are many types of plant milk, such as almond milk, soy, rice and others. They contain limited quantities of necessary nutrients affecting children’s growth negatively. Children are allowed to consume small quantities, but only for the purpose of diet diversification, and as a way to enrich the taste, not as a substitute for milk.(7)
As for dairy products, such as yogurt, labneh, cheese, butter, and cream, they contain many benefits in addition to diet and taste diversity.
However, we must pay attention to the amount consumed by children, so that we do not exceed the recommended daily allowance.
For example, we can replace the milk portion as follows:
The quantity of yogurt is approximately equal to the quantity of milk, meaning that 60g of yogurt equals one 100ml of milk.
As for labneh, 35g equals one 100ml of milk.
As for cheese, 20g or 30g equals 100ml of milk.
As for flavored milk, the formula contains a significant amount of sugar not recommended for daily consumption due to the harm caused by sugar.
We have to note that the derivatives are sourced from cow's milk, meaning that their abundance leads to similar results as compared to the consumption of natural cow's milk.
Therefore, we recommend limiting consumption to one serving per day and to supplement the rest with growing up milk intended for children and adequate for their age.(8) A serving equals 250ml of milk and the recommended quantity is of 500ml of growing up milk per day for healthy growth.(9)
Dr. Mohammad Harb
Pediatrician
