dairy yogurt ok for infants?

Ashleigh - posted on 12/18/2009

youghart not good for young babies can make them very sick, it's best to stick with just give small amounts of puree fruits and vegetables at this age. Remember build your babies tastes up slowly dont try her on every flavour going all at once. I a mum of two my youngest is 4 months and she only has baby rice.

Sarah - posted on 12/18/2009

I never understood why babies shouldn't have cow's milk since that is what formula is made of. Is it because what's in the formula is broken down and easier for them to digest?

Natalie - posted on 12/17/2009

Most of the books (including the lovely Gina Ford - love her or hate her she has lots of experience) advise its ok to use cows milk in cooking and mixing in with foods but not to give as a stand alone drink. The breast v formula debate will go on until the end of time I imagine. Each to their own! For about 30 years the 'government' advised to use formula....so why should we listen to anyone when they all get it wrong from time to time...go with your baby and what suits him and your needs and what works best!

Nykee - posted on 12/15/2009

My doctor told me to start giving my daughter tastes of "grown up" food at 9 months (except peanuts and honey!) and by 12 they can be fully on "grown up foods" (with the exception of peanuts) - I wouldn't feed a 5 month old yogurt just yet without a doctor's input - feeding cow's milk products too early can do damage to vital organs. Good luck :)

Amber - posted on 12/15/2009

Quoting Natalie:

well I think its all rubbish...compaines would not risk selling something if there was a chance of it harming babies! Otherwise millions of us would be taking them to court! Many baby foods have youghrt in them and cows milk and they clearly state its for babies from 4 months onwards! I have happily given my baby 'custard' pudddings and he is now 5 and a half months! the actual amount in there is so small its just a taster to get them used to it! Lets face it what did they give babies in days gone by when a mother could not breast feed for one reason or another.... most likely cows milk!!!!! Time for a reality check!

Well that statement is rubbish!  What about products containing lead (children's toys from China?), or the BPA free products to reduce the risk of cancer from plastics? 

Regarding formula, you must remember why formula came out in the first place.  It was for moms who couldn't produce milk.  You needed a prescription for formula.  It was not invented as a convient second choice if a mom just didn't want to breastfeed.  Breastmilk has always been and will always be superior to formula.  Why do you think formula compaies are trying to mimick the quaities of breastmilk?

Natalie - posted on 12/15/2009

well I think its all rubbish...compaines would not risk selling something if there was a chance of it harming babies! Otherwise millions of us would be taking them to court! Many baby foods have youghrt in them and cows milk and they clearly state its for babies from 4 months onwards! I have happily given my baby 'custard' pudddings and he is now 5 and a half months! the actual amount in there is so small its just a taster to get them used to it! Lets face it what did they give babies in days gone by when a mother could not breast feed for one reason or another.... most likely cows milk!!!!! Time for a reality check!

Alisha - posted on 12/15/2009

I wasnt trying to offend anyone. I was just sharing information given to me by a naturopathic doctor as I posted in the begining of the very long post. I also did not claim this as fact; just merely trying to provide insight to the original question. I always ask my doctor before proceeding with anything "touchy" but I also do my own research. I suggest that everyone do their own research before taking a strangers word as fact.

Rebecca - posted on 12/15/2009

oh and my daughter is 5 months old and she too has no allergies and hasnn't been hospitlized or had an ear infection.

Rebecca - posted on 12/15/2009

Well my son was nursed for 3 months,he was then switched to formula and has never been hospitalized never had an ear infection and has no allergies. My daughter was nursed for 3 weeks due to no milk production and you cna say i was wrong but huny when i try to pump and get nto even an oz you can't tell me my productionwa s fine. And yes i know how to pump, i pumped milk for my son for the last month he was nursed and had so much in the freezer it was nuts. I had over production with him and not enough with her. Yes formula can cause allergies but some kids are also born with allergies. My friend pumped and fed her new born only for him to throw it up and become very ill. She had to give him alimnetium as he was allergic to milk,soy and protein. He has outgrown those allergies and is now a healthy 2 year old. Yogurt is still dairy no matter what this study says. I am lactose intollerant and i can tell yuo i can't eat yogurt without the same side effects of a cup of milk. Every persons body is different and everyone should as their Dr before starting any type of food for their child.

Alisha - posted on 12/15/2009

Here is info from a naturopathic doctor:

The Formula Fallacy







Over the past few decades, infants on formula have displayed an increasing number of health issues including colic, low immune function, allergies, asthma, eczema, ear & sinus infections, psoriasis, failure to thrive, hormone problems, and poor brain development. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently announced that all of the formulas they tested were contaminated with perchlorate, a rocket fuel component that is extremely toxic, especailly to children, and is a known cancer causing chemical. Of course, the CDC refused to release the specific brands that were found to be contaminated because they didn’t want people to start feeding their infants something other than formula.







Quite frankly, there is no such thing as a healthy formula on the market shelves.The dangers of formula have been well documented, even with the so-called organic varieties. Formula is an artificial substance that is made to replace mother's milk. It is NOT a duplicate of mother's milk. Pick up a can of formula on any grocery store shelf and read the ingredients. All those ingredients look impressive initially, but look closely. You will see that it is mainly made up of sugar, oils and proteins especially cow's milk and soy. Cow’s milk and soy are two of the biggest offenders for causing digestive problems, respiratory infections and allergies in babies. And while there are several dairy-free formulas, good luck finding a formula that does not contain soy. Formulas are also lacking antibodies, digestive enzymes, immunoglobulin and other immune boosting compounds, and a vast number of important metabolic hormones and enzymes that naturally adjust to the baby’s needs in a mother’s breast milk. Babies that are fed formula are 14 times more likely to be hospitalized in their first year of life and 30 times more likely to suffer from sinus and/or ear infections.







So what should you feed a baby? The first choice is ALWAYS breast milk. The number one reason why the majority of women give up on breast feeding is the FALSE belief that they don’t have enough milk. Unfortunately, this misconception is often amplified at the Obstetrician or Pediatrician office. Mothers are told that formula is just as good (and sometimes told it is even better than breast milk) instead of given reassurance and proper lactation guideance, leading the concerned mother to immediately abandon breast feeding. The simple fact is: less that 1 out of every 760,000 mothers truly have inadequate milk, the majority of which can easily increase their milk with just a few simple diet changes.







The five biggest helpers are:



Water. Dehydration can substantianly decrease milk production. So, mothers need to make sure they drink ½ their body weight in ounces of water with a very tiny pinch of sea salt in it every day. For example, a 120lbs woman needs to drink 60 ounces water. The sea salt acts as a healthy electrolyte.

Get fitted for a proper nursing bra, one that does not contain an underwire. Restrictive clothing and pressure on the lymph and milk glands can impair proper milk production

Eat more of the foods and spices that help with milk production: Fennel, fenugreek, alfalfa, marshmallow (the herb, not the white puffed sugar treats), basil. You can also drink “Mother’s Milk” teas, Traditional Medicinals makes a wonderful tea for this. Whole milk or low fat yogurts are also very helpful. They support calcium uptake and help make healthy breast milk. Never use the sugar free or fat free varieties, they impair milk production.

Eat a diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables. Live food makes a live body…. For mother and child!

Consult a naturopath or lactation consultant. You can find more tips and lactation consultant near you at www.breastfeeding.com/directory/lcdirectory





Lastly, if you are unable to breast feed, following are recipes that we use for babies and anyone else that is unable to eat and needs to be fed with a feeding tube.



Keep in mind that yogurt is not really dairy anymore. Once the cultures (or good bacteria) gets rolling, it uses up the dairy as food for itself. Multiple studies have shown that even people who are lactose intolerant do well with yogurt.







For a new infant:







q 1 cup oat milk



q 1 cup goat milk



q 1 TBS organic WHOLE MILK yogurt



q 1 TBS of one of the following: carrot juice, grape juice, pear juice, kale juice or pomegranate juice



q ½ cup distilled water







Variations:



If the goat milk is not available, use 1 ½ cups oat milk and increase the yogurt to ½ cup and the water to 1 full cup.







For infants over 4 weeks





q 1 cup oat milk



q 1 cup goat milk



q 1/2 cup organic WHOLE MILK yogurt



q 1 TBS carrot juice or kale juice



q 1 TBS cherry, apple, pear or blueberry juice



q 1 tsp flax seed oil, sunflower seed, or sesame seed oil











For Puppies

1 cup goat milk



1 TBS whole milk yogurt



½ tsp flax oil or cod liver oil







For kittens

1 cup goat milk



1 TBS whole milk yogurt



1 tsp cod liver oil





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Speaking of Good Starts

The folks at Cereal FACTS (Food Advertising to Children and Teens Score), a committee of experts on nutrition, marketing, and public health have ranked breakfast cereals at the bottom of the list for good nutrition. Several studies have found that despite what the cereal companies would have you believe, cereal for breakfast actually increases difficulty focusing, blood sugar problems, anxiety, exhaustion and/or hyperactivity. Following are the top 10 Worst cereals:



1. Kellogg - Corn Pops (or Pops) - Chocolate Peanut Butter



2. Quaker - Cap'n Crunch - w/ Crunchberries



3. Kellogg - Special K - Chocolatey Delight



4. Kellogg - Special K - Blueberry



5. General Mills - Reese's Puffs



6. General Mills - Fiber One - Caramel Delight



7. Kellogg - Cocoa Krispies - Choconilla



8. General Mills - Golden Grahams



9. General Mills - Cinnamon Toast Crunch



10. Kellogg - Corn Pops







If you are like most people, chances are a few of those cereals like the Special K and Fiber One, surprised you. Evidence that slick advertising and marketing campaigns have done their job. Despite their poor ranking, Kellogg is actually running advertisements claiming Cocoa Krispies cereal improves a child’s immunity! We’ve actually had parents tell us they started buying this junk for their family based on this new marketing ploy, falsely believing that it was good for them. Truth is: the vast majority of cereals are highly processed and loaded with sugar. Even many of the organic cereals are sugar laden, they just use more natural forms of it, like cane juice.







So, what should you be eating for breakfast?







Eggs are always a good choice. Due to the hype about cholesterol, eggs gained an undeserved bad reputation in recent years. In fact, eggs are a good source of protein. 1 large egg has 6 grams of protein and all of the 8 essential amino acids. They are high in antioxidants that support good eye health. A recent study found that eating 1 soft boiled or over easy egg daily for 6 months significantly reduced macular degeneration and stopped or reversed cataract formation. Even more interesting, everyone’s cholesterol went down after 6 months, not up as we’ve all been warned would happen. Eggs are also a good source of vitamin D, Omega 3, 6 and 9, and B vitamins, which improve breast and prostate health, as well as better hair, skin and nails.







Yogurt, yogurt, yogurt. We’ve done plenty of newsletters on the endless benefits of yogurt. So, we won’t go into great detail here yet again. Just a reminder: yogurt is good for everything from the inside out, from bowels and bladder, to hair and skin. Even those with a lactose intolerance frequently do well with yogurt. A ½ cup yogurt mixed with a little dried or frozen fruit and some nuts or seeds, make a quick and easy breakfast for those on the go.



Steel cut oats, also known as Irish Oatmeal, are full of nutritional value. The steel cut oat is high in B-vitamins, calcium, protein and fiber while low in unsaturated fat. One cup of steel-cut oatmeal contains 8 g of insoluble fiber. They also reduce cholesterol and high blood pressure, help prevent heart disease and cancer, and they are a filling, low-glycemic choice for people with diabetes. Several studies on obesity have shown that steel cut oats help flush fat and bad cholesterol out of your system and provide powerful antioxidants that help you stay healthier, look younger, and live longer. Rolled oats, or old-fashioned oats, have similar benefits. However, rolling the oat groat (instead of slicing it) takes the outer germ and bran off of it, reducing it’s fiber and vitamin content, as well as making it turn to sugar faster, thus increasing its glycemic load for diabetics. Instant oatmeal has been further refined and quickly turns to sugar. So, don’t make the mistake of thinking those instant oatmeal packets have all the same benefits.



Raw nuts and seeds are another great way to start the day and they are highly portable for those of us that seem to always be eating on the run. The top of the list:



Walnuts – they have many potential health benefits ranging from cardiovascular protection, to supporting healthy brain and memory function, to anti-inflammatory benefits. Walnuts help with asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis, and they support proper thyroid function. In addition, walnuts contain an antioxidant compound called ellagic acid that supports the immune system and appears to have several anticancer properties.



Almonds - like walnuts are high in good fats and they support healthy heart and brain function. Almonds also help prevent after-meal surges in blood sugar making them a good choice for diabetics.







Pumpkin seeds - the number one choice for helping with prostate and bladder health. They are also anti-inflammatory, high in the amino acids and minerals that help prevent depression, especially l-tryptophan and magnesium, and they help to eliminate parasites and unhealthy bacteria from the bowel.

Rebecca - posted on 12/14/2009

Our Dr suggested we give whole milk yogurt to our son when he was 9 months old. It also states in a few books i have that it is ok after the age of 9 months. I was unaware of it but i would'nt give it to her ebfore that age or before you consult your Dr. Each child is different adn we had to give it to him becuase he lost weight due to projectile vomiting due to all formula. We were told to change him to cows milk the next month.
If there is a family history of allergies then i would wait until age one.
Good luck:)

Bethany - posted on 12/14/2009

Quoting Jessica :

Your doing good with bananas and sweet potatoes! Have you thought of making your own baby food? It's very easy.

that's what i am doing.  making my own out of organic bananas and sweet potatoes.  no preservatives or wasteful packaging in my house!

Iysha - posted on 12/05/2009

On the packages, it states that it is for ages 12mos+ so they are catered to babies, but older ones than yours. So until the pediatrician gives the ok, I'd stick to the things that aren't on that What Not To Feed Your Baby list =]

Jessica - posted on 12/05/2009

Your doing good with bananas and sweet potatoes! Have you thought of making your own baby food? It's very easy.

Nakita - posted on 12/05/2009

no not untill they are a year, or even older!!, "yobaby" is not for babies under a year, it even says that on the box , its for like 15,16,17,18,19,20etc. month olds. I have a 5 month old and i wouldn't feed it to her, i'd stick with the sweet potatoes, and bananas!