There have been many questions about cows milk, and while I know it isn't safe for a baby I'm curious why?

Question

Is it the steroids? If so what if you buy organic milk?

I have never given my daughter cows milk and I dont believe I said I insisted on anything.. As I said I was just curious what the actual reason is so I could give others an educated answer! As far as babies not bieng able to "digest" it, how come they could in the past when I was a baby????????????

Answer 1

its not the steroids its actually they cannot physically digest the milk (or any solid food)

Cow's milk is more specific to a baby cow than a baby human. Cow's milk formula is based on cow's milk but has been engineered to be closer to human milk (still a ways off, but closer). Many infants still have problems with cow's milk formula (allergies, GI problems, etc.). Babies who are exposed to cow's milk before their first birthday are more likely to be anemic, have diarrhea or vomiting, and/or experience an allergic reaction (the proteins in milk are more numerous than those in other milk products, such as the yogurt). The excessive protein load in cow's milk can also overload a baby's kidneys. It is deficient in vitamins C, E, and copper. It is harder to digest as well, often causing intestinal blood loss. A number of studies have also indicated that early introduction of cow's milk may contribute to the development of Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus.

Others see no problem with starting cow's milk toward the end of the first year unless there is a family history of allergy to it. Dr. Jack Newman, a renowned expert in the lactation field, is one of these. See the Breastmilk, cow's milk, formula, outside work and bottles section of his article "Breastfeeding and Other Foods." Notice that he qualifies this advice with the importance of the baby being well-established on a variety of solids and continuing to be breastfed (both of which should help make up for what cow's milk can't offer at this age). He also suggests that supplemental milk of any kind is not all that necessary if the baby is allowed to nurse frequently when with mom. He suggests offering the baby solid foods with some water or small amounts of juice instead.

also this may clear up some confusion From birth until somewhere between four and six months of age, babies possess what is often referred to as an "open gut." This means that the spaces between the cells of the small intestines will readily allow intact macromolecules, including whole proteins and pathogens, to pass directly into the bloodstream.This is great for your breastfed baby as it allows beneficial antibodies in breastmilk to pass more directly into baby's bloodstream, but it also means that large proteins from other foods (which may predispose baby to allergies) and disease-causing pathogens can pass right through, too. During baby's first 4-6 months, while the gut is still "open," antibodies (sIgA) from breastmilk coat baby's digestive tract and provide passive immunity, reducing the likelihood of illness and allergic reactions before gut closure occurs. Baby starts producing these antibodies on his own at around 6 months, and gut closure should have occurred by this time also.

Answer 2

I found a link a while back, that I can't find now. Cows milk is difficult for a baby to digest, although some people put their baby on it as young as 6 months (no doubt Against Medical Advice). Then you can do Whole milk from 1 to 2 and 2% milk until at least age 5. The dietician said she would keep her son on 2% until at least school age.

I haven't seen any studies that actually have a large sample size and also show that (cows milk + people 1+yo) = third head. So, I wouldn't worry about that.

Answer 3

The protein in the cow's milk is hard for immature digestive systems. It produces a larger curd than that of human milk (or modified cow's milk). That is why it increases the likelihood of allergies and asthma.

Exposure to cow's milk--*including* modified cow's milk (i.e. formula)--increases the likelihood of the child developing diabetes later in life. I don't think the mechanism by which it does this is known.

The problems with cow's milk have nothing to do with chemical adulteration of the milk; it is intrinsic in the milk itself. Goat's milk will probably have the same effect. Both cows and goats digest their food twice; human beings do *not*. So their milk is not very compatible with the human digestive system.

By the way, the other answers to the question addressed the question of why cow's milk shouldn't be the *majority* of baby's diet--not why it should be avoided altogether.

As for why it was okay to give babies milk in previous generations...the answer is it *wasn't*. The last 2-3 generations were a huge in-vivo experiment with the basic premise "Let's see if we can outsmart nature and create a diet that is superior to breastfeeding." There is a *huge* number of adults today with diabetes, cancer, heart disease, etc. How much of this is due to damage babies suffered in infancy will never really be determined.

Answer 4

HI
60 yrs ago I was born on a small farm. I remember my dad changing from hand milking to useing a portable milking maching. I drank all the raw milk I wanted up age 18. {P.S. I now have serious oseroprosis -other reasons].
To answer your question it has to do with the health of the cows and our enviroment. Our 12 cows had their own pens with fresh air comming through large window. Their food was grown on our land organic because that was the only way my Father knew. Hay was stored in the mow with straw. The wheat was blown into bins and later taken to be ground at the mill and returned as chop. The corn was chopped and placed into a silo as siclage for winter months. As soon as the weather premitted the cows were given the yard to exercise in. After May 24th they free to eat the organic grass that grew by the clean creek. The water from the creek was safe that we kids drank from it occationally and never got sick.
Things changed the water got polluted the cows who never were sick had to be checked more by the Vets. It goes on and on.
I don't consider cows milk fit for human consumson in any form . I know for a fact the pasterizing and filtering system is falauted. There is to much drug given the cows that passes through the system. It is a sourse of protein that was mean for a 60 lb calf to develop to 1 thousand plus pounds within one year. Human should drink human milk.
Please investigate further.

Answer 5

I have always been curious too. My daughter was given cow's milk by mistake as an infant and it made her vomit and she became VERY listless. Then a while later (when she was learning to eat foods) I gave her some mashed potatoes from a restaraunt and she did the same. My only conclusion at the time was that they had used milk in the potatoes. She drinks milk now although too much of it makes her tummy hurt, but she doesn't have the same reaction as before. Just wanted to share my experience.

Answer 6

They tell you not to give a new born cows milk because of allergic reaction and there is not as much vitamins in cows milk... there is a lot more vitamins with formula and/or breast-milk it is best to use that the first year..
my Dr. switched my 2 1/2 year old to milk at 8 months old but also had to give him vitamins..
it is always good to talk to your Dr. they might be able to suggested alternatives..... Hope this help???

Answer 7

Babies under a year cant digest cows milk and technically speaking, they dont need to drink milk from another animal at all. If you insist on it, I dont see why you would NOT only use organic.

Answer 8

Babies cannot digest cow's milk and if they are given it for long periods of time the protein in the milk can cause lots of health problems including stunted growth and kidney failure. You need to wait until at leats a year old to give your child cow's milk if you want to give it to them. they are lots of other options for your child to get the vitamins that are in milk other than cow's milk. I think before baby formula was created, mother's gave their children sweetented condensed milk out of the cans for food...that probably why people didnt live very long or get very tall

Answer 9

cows milk does not have the nutrients the baby needs to grow well. thats why formula milk is packed with all those minerals and vitamins. breast milk is full of nutrients cause you eat a wide variety of foods. if you think about it cows only eat grass. how nutritious could that be? after a year its safe to give cow milk. i dont believe there is any major problem with giving a baby cow milk. but there is a big posibility that an alergy can develop. i think its best to stick to formula till shes at least one. you only want the best for her.

Answer 10

It's the baby and it's digestive track. Mom's milk or formula are easy to digest until a year old, then the baby can handle cows milk after that.