DISCLAIMER: This post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding you or your baby’s health. Please read my Medical Disclaimer for more info
DISCLAIMER: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may get a commission if you decide to purchase something through my links at no cost to you. Please read my Disclaimer for more info.
No, your baby/child never needs cow’s milk. Some old-school doctors still tell moms that their baby does need cow’s milk for “correct” brain development and this is wrong!
It’s also wrong for anyone to discourage you from breastfeeding at any time! Anthropologists believe the natural weaning age is between 2-7 years old for humans.
See The Powerful Benefits of Breastfeeding Your Toddler to learn more!
One of the fantastic things about breastmilk is that it constantly changes to precisely what your baby needs each day!
Breastmilk Components 12-23 Months
Breastmilk is an essential source of energy and nutrients for children 6-23 months old. It also provides half or more of your child’s energy needs between 6 and 12 months of age. And from 12-24 months of age, breastmilk provides 1/3 of energy needs.
During the second year of breastfeeding (12-23 months), 15 ounces of milk provides:
- 29% of energy requirements
- 43% of protein requirements
- 36% of calcium requirements
- 75% of vitamin A requirements
- 76% of folate requirements
- 94% of B12 requirements
- 60% of vitamin C requirements
(Stats from Dewey, 2001 [1])
Additionally, you should continue giving your baby 400 IUs of vitamin D drops daily. Or, if you’re still breastfeeding, continue taking 6400 IUs of vitamin D daily [2].
This excellent study showed after 1 year of breastfeeding, your milk significantly increases in fat and energy contents for your child. After 2 years of breastfeeding, your milk increases even more in fat and protein for your child, and the carbohydrate content remains about the same [3].
Plus, we also know breastmilk is also a crucial source of energy and nutrients during illness. Beyond infancy, your breastmilk still helps to fight infections, strengthen your child’s immune system, and adapt to giving them exactly what they need!
Breastmilk for Brain Development vs Cow’s Milk
Some components of breastmilk for brain development include natural, bioavailable sources of:
- Cholesterol (only 0.5%). Cholesterol makes up brain tissues and forms stable cell membranes.
- ARA: found in brain and muscle cells
- DHA, which play a key role in brain development, nerve myelination, and visual development
In his book, Brain Rules for Babies: How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five, John Medina writes, “If America knew what breast milk can do for the brains of its youngest citizens, lactating mothers across the nation would be enshrined, not embarrassed … If we as a country wanted a smarter population, we would insist on lactation rooms in every public establishment. A sign would hang from the door of these rooms, Quiet, please. Brain development at work.”
Other important nutrients your baby needs once they reach 6 months+, are iron and zinc. They need these nutrients from their foods now because babies receive enough iron and zinc from your pregnancy to last them until about 6 months. Especially with delayed cord clamping your baby should have enough iron stored to last until 6 months.
Check out these 15 foods rich in iron and zinc for your baby in The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Introducing Solids.
Your body knows how to nourish your baby. You are encouraged, educated, and empowered!💗
Sources
[1] Dewey KG. Nutrition, growth, and complementary feeding of the breastfed infant. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2001 Feb;48(1):87-104. doi: 10.1016/s0031-3955(05)70287-x. PMID: 11236735.
[2] Hollis BW, Wagner CL, Howard CR, et al. Maternal Versus Infant Vitamin D Supplementation During Lactation: A Randomized Controlled Trial [published correction appears in Pediatrics. 2019 Jul;144(1):]. Pediatrics. 2015;136(4):625-634. doi:10.1542/peds.2015-1669
[3] Czosnykowska-Łukacka M, Królak-Olejnik B, Orczyk-Pawiłowicz M. Breast Milk Macronutrient Components in Prolonged Lactation. Nutrients. 2018 Dec 3;10(12):1893. doi: 10.3390/nu10121893. PMID: 30513944; PMCID: PMC6316538.
DISCLAIMER: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may get a commission if you decide to purchase something through my links at no cost to you. Please read my Disclaimer for more info.
DISCLAIMER: This post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding you or your baby’s health. Please read my Medical Disclaimer for more info
Leave a Reply