How Much Milk Should Children Drink According To Their Age?
One of the most frequent questions regarding infant feeding concerns the amount of milk that the child should drink according to age. This food is one of the most complete for babies, but it is important to administer it in ideal doses so that nutritional needs are met.
Experiencing a nutrient deficit can be counterproductive to the development and growth of little ones. Likewise, establishing a high-calorie diet could lead to the development of an overweight state, something not recommended for medium-term health.
The amount of milk according to the child’s age
During the first 3 years of life, it is recommended that the child consume about half a liter of milk per day. Thus, calcium needs are met, which are around 800 milligrams per day. It should be borne in mind that this mineral is essential for maintaining good bone health, according to a study published in Nutrients .
From 3 years of age, the ideal is to consume at least two servings of dairy products per day. For this, you can alternate milk and yogurt, in addition to cheese. Even other fermented foods such as kefir can be included in this group. These foods are able to provide a good amount of probiotics, live bacteria that are beneficial to intestinal health.
The child must receive whole milk
As a general rule, the milk that should be given to children (and adults as well) should be whole milk. When fat is removed from food, a large amount of essential fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin A and D, are lost. In addition, many of the dairy products on the market are fortified with vitamin D, therefore, their nutritional density increases.
Milk fat, despite being of the saturated type, is considered healthy. This is because it has a ‘cis’ molecular configuration. Only ‘trans’ fatty acids are harmful to health, as evidenced by research published in the journal Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome .
Allergies and Intolerance Solutions
If the child is allergic to cow’s milk proteins, breastfeeding is the best alternative, whenever possible. In addition, there are a number of special hydrolyzed milks for these babies, as milk proteins are broken down, preventing them from causing damage to hypersensitive organisms.
In any case, it is important to note that cow’s milk protein allergy can resolve spontaneously over the years. Different is the case of lactose intolerance.
In this situation, it is the sugar in the milk that is bad for you. The disease is associated with stomach problems and diarrhea. Thus, milk tends to go down badly, but not other dairy products like yogurt, as they have less carbohydrates. Offering a variety of lactose-free milk can be an effective solution to the problem.
Be careful with the amount of whole milk offered to children
Despite being a beneficial food, you must remember that whole milk is a very energy drink. If consumed in excess, it can generate a hypercaloric context that leads to weight gain.
Any situation of overweight or obesity is contraindicated in children, so it is necessary to adapt to the daily energy needs. For this reason, it is not advisable to exceed the aforementioned daily intake. That is why it is necessary to take into account the amount of milk that the child should drink according to age.
Milk in children, a healthy food
As you have seen, drinking whole milk is recommended for children. About a pint of milk a day would be ideal during the early stages of life, followed by a few servings of milk. However, consumption may increase in adults in sporting or increased needs contexts.
In short, it should be borne in mind that when consuming milk it is always good to choose the whole variety. The nutritional density of this product is higher, as well as its energy content. It has more vitamins than the skimmed or semi-skimmed versions. We hope we have clarified your doubts about the amount of milk that children should drink according to their age.
