At What Age Can Children Start Drinking Pure Milk?
Pure milk is a highly nutritious beverage containing various minerals. Apart from being rich in calcium, it also contains trace elements such as iron, phosphorus, zinc, and copper. The calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in pure milk is suitable, making it excellent for calcium absorption and the most suitable calcium source for human growth and development. Regular consumption of pure milk by children can promote bone development and contribute to their height growth. Now, let's explore the appropriate age for children to consume pure milk.
Generally, children can start drinking pure milk at around three years old. Why is this the case? Although pure milk and breast milk both fall under the category of milk and may seem similar at first glance, there are significant differences between them. From a nutritional perspective, pure milk has a higher protein content than breast milk, but most of this protein is casein. Due to their immature digestive systems, children may have difficulty digesting approximately four-fifths of this casein. Additionally, pure milk contains fewer unsaturated fatty acids, has larger fat globules, and lacks lipase, which is not conducive to digestion and absorption. While pure milk is rich in calcium and phosphorus, the imbalance in their ratio makes it difficult for children to absorb these nutrients effectively. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid giving pure milk to children before they reach three years of age.
Some mothers believe that boiling milk improves its nutritional value, but this is actually not the case. Boiling milk for too long can significantly reduce its nutritional content, as many nutrients undergo qualitative changes and may convert into other substances. Therefore, it is crucial not to boil milk for an extended period. Another common misconception is adding rice soup or porridge to milk when feeding children. This practice can lead to the loss of nutrients such as vitamin A, which is essential for children's growth and development. Therefore, it is not advisable to mix milk with rice soup or porridge.
Generally, 8-year-old children can consume regular pure milk. Subscribing to a daily milk delivery service is also a good option as the milk has a shorter shelf life and fewer additives. Growth milk formulas can also be considered, as they tend to have a higher nutritional value. It is recommended to choose pure milk with a shorter shelf life, as it is richer in protein and calcium. Overall, pure milk is a great source of nutrients for children, especially when selecting options with a shorter shelf life.
