The Milk We Give Kids

First off, during the first 2-3 year a child goes through MAJOR brain development. That means it is essential for proper (full potential) brain development the child needs to be getting the proper amount of omega 3 fatty acids (also VERY important for proper brain function in adults), these are the DHA and ARA fatty acids (in baby foods yes they had “added” them. But they are laboratory versions which are not digested properly and have been know to make children sick). They also need a wide variety of nutrients and anti bodies given to them in a easy to digest form (There immune system finishes developing around age 3-6 and they digestive system wraps thing up around age 3).

Cow’s milk is a great source of nutrition for adults. We can get this nutrition else where, however, it is the eases way to reach out daily calcium needs. However, for children it doesn’t contain the fats, vitamins, minerals and antibodies (at all or in proper amounts/ forms) for their developmental needs. You have to understand the when a cow makes milk they never intend it for our consumption. It is intended for the developmental needs of…. Calves. They grow faster then people do (so there is twice as much protein in cow’s milk compared to human milk). They are also affected my different illnesses so the immunities (which are killed during pasteurization) are all wrong for human needs. Cows also have 2 stomachs. That means their bodies can process large molecules of vitamins and minerals (most the V and M in cows milk we don’t use let a lone a small child).

Goats milk is the closes to human milk. It does (out of all the animal milks) provide the closes to give your child breast milk. But keep in mind that it is still species specific and there are needs that it CAN’T properly meet. If you are going to use this option get whole (unpasteurized) milk from a reputable farmer. In reality all infant formulas should be made out of goats milk (and if we are drinking milk it should be goat) because it is the closes ting to human milk. But cows produce more making it cheaper to produce and thus we get cow based infant formulas (my little rant)!

I’m going to lump almond and soy together (there are a lot of differences, please do some research on soy produces, info that is NOT put forth by the soy companies). They don’t contain the fats. Their vitamins ant minerals (well most) are laboratory produced so much of the nutrients that are in there never get used by our bodies!

The milk that provided the best nutrition is breast milk. It provides everything in an easy to digest package. Almost every thing is used. It is recommended by the WHO to have children on breast milk for at least 2 years; and longer as mutually desired by both mother and child. As the child grows the milk changes for the child’s needs. As they nurse less elements of the milk are condensed so the child get the full benefits (plus it gives mom a TON of health benefits)! Now I know that not all women are comfortable with full term nursing, in that case the best choice would be goats milk.

Personal Statement: I plan on letting my DD wean herself. If she decided she is done nursing before the age of 2 I have decided that I will pump for her to keep her on BM as long as possible. This is just my personal decision.