Breast milk vs. cow milk. It is a part of every mother's journey. Even when you're still pregnant, you need to think about it. Can you choose not to breastfeed? If you don't want to, can you rely on cow's milk to provide your baby with the nutrients they need? Many people will tell you that that won't do. So, you may be wondering why that is the case.
Allow us to explain it to you. Continue reading to find more information about breast milk and cow milk and the difference in nutritional value.
Breast Milk: Perfect Food for Newborns
Breast milk is the best option for your baby, especially if they are 6 months old or younger. They even recommend you feed your newborn baby only breast milk. You have probably heard that a hundred times, and if you haven't, this won't be the last.
The question is, why is that the case? Is there a scientific explanation, or is it an uninformed belief? Let's explore.
Nature's Perfect Food
Breast milk is tailor-made to provide the nutrients that a human baby needs. Its advantage over cow milk is it considers additional factors that were not considered when they were manufactured. In fact, breast milk is so complex that it changes its composition while you are breastfeeding.
The milk expressed at the start of your nursing session is called "foremilk." It contains high lactose, satisfying your baby's thirst. Then, at the end of the session, the expressed milk is called "hindmilk." It contains more fats, which deliver key nutrients.
Differences in Composition
Breast milk also has a lower protein content compared to cow milk. At first glance, you may think that that makes cow milk better. However, higher protein content will be more taxing for your baby's kidneys.
Don't worry; they don't need that much protein. Human babies do not gain weight as fast as calves. Thus, they don't rely on protein for their energy needs. Instead, they primarily rely on primarily relying on the fat and carbohydrates in human milk for their energy needs.
Furthermore, milk protein is divided into two main fractions - whey protein and casein. Breast milk contains less casein, which is great because it is hard to digest.
But that is not all! Studies have found that alpha-lactalbumin, another milk protein, has several positive effects on a baby. It boosts the immune system, binds minerals, and promotes the growth of certain pathogens. Breast milk contains a lot more alpha-lactalbumin than cow milk.
Antibodies and Immunity
Breast milk also contains a lot of antibodies that help protect your baby from illnesses. They are transferred through immunoglobulins, another kind of protein found in breast milk and colostrum. If you are exposed to viruses or bacteria, even more antibodies will be produced.
Breast milk contains IgA, IgM, and IgG, as well as the secretory versions of IgM (SIgM) and IgA (SIgA). Meanwhile, colostrum contains abundant SIgA.
Here are their effects on babies:
- IgA and secretory IgA (SIgA) protect mucosal surfaces,
- IgM and SIgM provide early immune responses,
- IgG offers long-term systemic protection and passive immunity.
Please note that even donor milk may not contain or contain less of these antibodies. That is likely an effect of pasteurization. That said, your breast milk is the best for your baby.
Cow Milk: A Different Story
Cow milk is not dangerous for your baby. They can still drink it. However, they are not recommended for newborns. For adults, drinking cow milk is healthy. It is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. In Particular, cow milk is known for having lots of calcium. However, this is not as good for babies, whose bodies are still delicate and developing.
Here, we will explore why cow milk is not for your 0-6 month-old baby.
Too Much of a Good Thing
Cow milk is rich in protein and casein. The latter is what gives milk its white color. Cow milk contains 80% casein, which may be beneficial to humans.
Some reports say that casein can improve the mental status of people who have consumed so much alcohol that it has damaged their livers. Some reports also claim that casein can help increase insulin without also increasing blood sugar and help build muscles. However, limited research backs these up.
Whether that is true or not, cow milk remains not good for babies, and that is largely because of its high casein content. It is difficult to digest, and since your baby's digestive system is still developing, it is very delicate. The high casein content may cause problems.
Mineral Overload
Several components of cow milk affect iron absorption. If you feed your infant with cow milk only, you increase the risks for iron deficiency and even iron-deficient anemia.
What are these factors? First of all, cow milk contains low levels of ascorbic acid or Vitamin C. It helps increase iron absorption. Contrary to that, calcium has a negative effect on iron absorption. That is a problem because cow milk contains 4 times more calcium than breast milk.
Lack of Essential Nutrients
Cow milk does not have or contains less of the following essential nutrients, which can be found and may be abundant in human milk.
Carbohydrates
For babies, carbohydrates are one of the main sources of dietary energy. Human milk has a higher concentration of lactose (the primary carbohydrate in milk) compared to cow milk.
On top of that, cow milk lacks oligosaccharides. These carbohydrates promote gut health by feeding beneficial bacteria and preventing harmful pathogens from attaching to the gut lining.
Long-chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (LC-PUFAs)
Breast milk is rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA). These are crucial for brain and eye development. Cow’s milk lacks these fats, although some infant formulas are fortified with them.
Immune Factors and Antibodies
Breast milk contains immunoglobulins, particularly IgA, which protect against infections and enhance the infant’s developing immune system. Cow milk does not have these, so they are less effective at preventing illnesses and building your baby's immune system.
Comparison Between Breast Milk and Cow Milk’s Composition
|
Human Milk per 100g |
Semi-skimmed, pasteurized cow's milk per 100g |
|
|
Sodium (mg) |
15 |
43 |
|
Potassium (mg) |
58 |
156 |
|
Calcium (mg) |
34 |
120 |
|
Magnesium (mg) |
3 |
11 |
|
Phosphorus (mg) |
15 |
94 |
|
Iron (mg) |
0.07 |
0.02 |
|
Copper (mg) |
0.04 |
Trace |
|
Zinc (mg) |
0.3 |
0.4 |
|
Chloride (mg) |
42 |
87 |
|
Manganese (mg) |
Trace |
Trace |
|
Selenium (ug) |
1 |
1 |
|
Iodine (ug) |
7 |
30 |
|
Retinol (ug) |
58 |
19 |
|
Carotene (ug) |
24 |
9 |
|
Vitamin D (ug) |
Trace |
Trace |
|
Vitamin E (mg) |
0.34 |
0.04 |
|
Thiamin (mg) |
0.02 |
0.03 |
|
Riboflavin (mg) |
0.03 |
0.24 |
|
Niacin (mg) |
0.2 |
0.1 |
|
Vitamin B6 (mg) |
0.01 |
0.06 |
|
Vitamin B12 (mg) |
Trace |
0.9 |
|
Folate (ug) |
5 |
9 |
|
Pantothenate (mg) |
0.25 |
0.68 |
|
Biotin (ug) |
0.7 |
3.0 |
|
Vitamin C (mg) |
4 |
2 |
Source: FSA, 2002.
When To Introduce Cow Milk to Infants' Diet
You can introduce cow milk to your baby's diet once they are 12 months old. Do not introduce it before this stage. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAM) and World Health Organization (WHO) both recommend that you feed your baby with breast milk in the first 6 - 12 months. Introducing cow milk earlier can damage your baby's kidneys and cause intestinal bleeding.
Transitioning Smoothly
Here are some tips on how to gradually introduce cow milk to your baby's diet:
Mix Cow Milk with Breast Milk
Your baby may not immediately like how cow milk tastes. To make them more accustomed to it, milk cow milk with breast milk at first. You can also mix it with prepared formula instead of breast milk. Over time, gradually decrease the breast milk or formula and increase the cow milk in the solution.
Transition to Sippy Cups
This tip does not make the change to cow milk easier, but you'd rather do them at the same time rather than at different times. You need to switch from bottles to straws or sippy cups to reduce the risk of milk-bottle cavities.
Other Tips for Keeping a Healthy Diet for Your Baby
Here are some tips to ensure your baby is getting all the nutrients they need.
Use Bottle Warmers
You can use breast pumps in times when you can't breastfeed to store milk for later feedings. If you are looking for a breast pump, the Momcozy M9 is a fantastic option. It is a hands-free breast pump that offers effective suction without causing pain.
The thing is that babies are often accustomed to the warmth of milk that comes directly from the breast. Using a bottle warmer can help maintain an optimal temperature for the expressed milk.
The Momcozy Bottle Warmer is an excellent product for this. It has an advanced smart sensor that keeps your baby's bottle at the ideal temperature. This sensor also prevents overheating and nutritional deterioration.
Introduce Solids at the Right Time
You can introduce solids even before you should think about introducing cow milk. It is usually when your baby becomes 6 months old. Introduce solids when the baby shows readiness signs such as sitting up, showing interest in food, and losing the tongue-thrust reflex.
Monitor Reactions:
When introducing formula, cow milk, or solids, watch for signs of allergies or intolerances. The signs to look for are rashes, diarrhea, or fussiness.
Conclusion
Your young one can drink both breast milk and cow milk. However, you should wait before introducing cow milk to their diet. Its contents can be harmful or insufficient for babies. Thus, in the first 6 - 12 months, experts recommend that you give them breast milk only. Breast milk contains the right nutrients, the right amount of minerals, and even antibodies. These are better for your baby's development in the first year of their life.
