Continuation and growth milk for the baby: are they necessary?
The restriction in the advertising of artificial milk called home - those offered from newborn - opened a need in the companies that manufacture these products to expand market and create other products that could be advertised. From this need came the so-called continuation milks, that recommend of
The restriction in the advertising of artificial milk called home - those offered from newborn - opened a need in the companies that manufacture these products to expand market and create other products that could be advertised.
From this need came the so-called continuation milks, that recommend offering to the baby from 6 months of age, with the start of complementary feeding, and milk growth for the baby, thought as an alternative to Cow's milk for children between 1 and 3 years old. But are this type of formula necessary for the baby?
Why the continuation and growth milks are not necessary for the baby
The composition of the initial milk tries to approach the breast milk in the best human way possible, since this is the best food for the baby. However, despite the fact that it remains so when reaching 6 months of age, or even one year of age - in fact the WHO recommends prolonging breastfeeding until at least 2 years of age - infant feeding companies suggest that there is a need to change the starting milk for the continuation milk, and later, for the milk for growth. We tell you why this need is not true:
- The WHO already stated in 2010 and again in 2013 that neither the continuation and growth milks are necessary nor do they have any benefit for the babywith respect to breast milk or the starting milk if it is fed with formula milk. In fact, if we assume that the most similar to breast milk is the start, there are even fewer reasons for change, although certainly these milks are usually cheaper and with the change families can find some relief in the cost of the feeding the baby.
- Compared to breast milk, the current composition of the follow-up milks has a protein intake higher than that recommended for the correct development of the child , in addition to a lower intake of essential fatty acids, iron, zinc and vitamin B- The composition of growth milk generally includes vitamins, minerals (mainly iron) and pre and probiotics that cow's milk, its great competitor in this age range of babies, does not contain. However,
also contains added sugars - or even artificial sweeteners - and / or cereals que, which make it sweeter, to make it more attractive for the little ones. In many cases flavors are also added, which are nothing but artificial products reminiscent of the original flavor, with cocoa being the most popular. The Consumers' Organization and the European Food Safety Agency endorse this information and recognize thathealthy children who follow a balanced diet do not need special milks such as continuation or growth
. From the year, the child can drink cow's milk or vegetable milk, depending on the option chosen.
