Babies grow fast and as they are about to turn a year old, you start thinking about the changes in their diet. It’s important to provide a smooth transition from breast milk to “grown-up” foods and make sure your child feels full and happy. Should you switch to whole milk? Is it more nutritious than formula?
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Why you can’t abruptly switch from breastfeeding to whole milk
Weaning is a difficult time both for babies and their mothers. The WHO advises against stopping breastfeeding right after babies turn a year old. However, if you do have to make this decision, try to find alternatives. Whole milk doesn’t meet the needs of a one-year-old because of the suboptimal balance of nutrients. At the same time, milk formulas are designed to meet the physiological needs of your little one and are better suited for their diet.
Is whole milk more filling?
The fat content in whole cow’s milk is around 4% which is lower than in formula. This might seem like a definitive answer to the question but it’s not that simple. While fatty whole milk can make your baby feel full fast, fats aren’t the only nutrients they need. A little one can only drink so much milk and it’s important to remember that it’s more of a filling drink than food.
Stage 3 formula contains the optimal, well-balanced amount of all the nutrients your baby needs at this stage. You can take any product on the market and see, for example, how HiPP Dutch Stage 1 is different from Stage 3. They are made to be filling without giving your child’s tummy too many milk proteins to digest.
Conclusion
Don’t rush to introduce whole milk into your baby’s diet. Choose a suitable infant formula. Whether it’s Loulouka formula, Holle products, or HiPP milks, they’ll help you make sure that your child gradually switches to “grown-up” foods without any issues.
