When to start dairy in the diet?
benefits of dairy:
Whole cow's milk, kumis or yogurt without sweet, semi-skimmed milk and cheese are food sources that provide calcium that favors the growth and development of children.
In addition, dairy products prevent osteoporosis, which is a bone disease in which there is a decrease in the density of bone tissue and, as a consequence, an exaggerated fragility of the bones.
Undesirable Effects of Starting Dairy Early:
Dairy products should not be started too early because the digestive system is not yet ready to process some of the proteins characteristic of these foods.
For example, the maturation of the kidneys is only reached after 4 months of life, which implies that before this age the kidneys do not have the capacity to handle high loads of some substances that are present in whole cow's milk.
Likewise, the immaturity of the intestinal mucosa produces sensitivity to present allergies due to some antigenic substances that are present in dairy products.
Cow's milk protein induces an adverse inflammatory reaction on the intestinal mucosa at an early age, producing microbleeding that increases iron loss in infants.
When to start?
The incorporation of dairy products into the diet after the first year of life is recommended . From this age, these foods will be used for the development of the brain, which benefits from the fat present in dairy products.
After age 2, low-fat milk or even skim milk can be included if overweight is present.
Final recommendations:
When it's time to include dairy in your diet, consult a health professional who can guide you through the process.
Also, keep in mind that dairy allergies can occur.
Watch for symptoms such as:
- Abdominal pain or cramps.
- nausea and vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
If you observe any of the above symptoms, consult your pediatrician, there they will tell you if it is necessary to modify the type of milk or dairy foods in the diet.
