Why cows milk?

A recent post about lactose intolerance and the promotion of toddler milk has got me wondering why do we give cows milk as a drink to toddlers and children?

Its cause its always been the cheapest option to make. Goats milk is much better for us as we can actually process it alot better.

I HATE formula companies and the way they market their stuff, they are a bunch of greedy money hungry horrible people that dont give a damn that their product is just sh*t, they line their tins with BPA plastic (not kidding, totally true), they tell mums in third world countries that formula is better than BM and then that leads to people not feeding their kids properly cause they cant afford the tins, they cant steralise etc.... They are just horrible.

I always assumed we gave cows milk because of the calcium - and its been cheaper than formula - not sure if thats still the case though

A lactation consultant friend of mine said that it is a good way to get calories/fat into little people (hence the suggestion that whole milk is preferable to low fat options). Little people have pretty huge energy requirements with the amount of growing they do!

Having a child who had an allergy to cows milk protein and is now lactose intolerant we gave no cows milk, he still doesn't have it and he's 4. He was on a script formula until age 2 and then his allergy doc said he could come off it as he was a good eater and was getting everything he needed from other foods. He has calcium enriched rice milk on cereal, but he would probably get enough calcium from other sources anyway I just get him that one just in case and he has cheese as that has no lactose in it. My 2 year old weaned at 21 months and I tried to introduce cows milk and he wasn't interested, never bothered trying one of the formulas, he has milk on cereal each morning but I don't give him any milk drinks, he's a good eater as well so I figured the same advice for my allergic kid about not needing it would be valid there as well, he also has cheese and yoghurt.

crakars wrote: So why do plunket say they need a certain amount of it (cows milk) until they are 2 (cant remember the exact amount). In theory they shouldnt need it at all?

That's what got me wondering about it. Or is this another Plunketism that I can choose to ignore.

The recommendation is for 1-2yr olds to still have two cups of milk (or BFs if still BFing) to ensure they are getting their 2-3 serves of dairy as at this age it is critical with bone development and growth that they get enough calcium / vit D etc.
The issue with "too much milk" and iron absorption is more for people who give big bottles numerous times per day, ie people who will still give their toddlers 4 or 5 250ml bottles a day plus say one other serve of dairy. That would probably be enough to intefere with the childs consumption of other foods (too full on milk) and also too much calcium does affect iron absorption.

Toddler milks are recommended at the same 2 serves a day (in place of cows milk) and the added iron is mainly because we have such high rates of iron deficiency (25%) in toddlers in this country - as all other country do too (its a global issue due to growth rates and requirements in this age bracket vs the total food they can consume in a day as they are still little). Add to that the fussiness in this age group (my son was always a struggle to get meat into!! unlike my daughter thankfully) may mean they are not eating big serves of meat (its way harder to get enough iron from veges alone, especially for little ones). The toddler milk is also like an "in between stage" if you like - a bit easier on their digestive system than going straight to cows milk. It is not really necessary if the child has a good diet as their system if ready to cope with cows milk by then, but for some parents of fussier kids it helps to make sure they are getting all the right levels of vits / mins that are added to the formula. Especially toddlers who refuse meat, when getting enough iron is is really difficult.

Hope that helps. :)

ETA: Another thing that is usually added to Toddler formula is fibres and "good bugs" to help their digestive system, Zinc and Vit C for immune system, and good fats that are not in cows milk (good if the kids are not consuming alot of fish)

Edited by Nikki

I've never seen a plastic lined formula tin either ...

Great to read your answer Nikki :-) Thanks

yeah that last part seems to be the Plunket norm