Should INFANTS take cow’s MILK?

  

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants under one year of age not receive whole cow’s milk.  Why?

Some scientific evidence raises concerns about health risks from cow’s milk products, relating to the proteins, sugar, fat and contaminants in dairy products, and the inadequacy of whole cow’s milk for infant nutrition, especially iron, essential fatty acids and vitamin E.

The iron content is extremely low, containing only about one-tenth of a milligram (mg) per eight-ounce serving. To get the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance of 15 mg of iron, an infant would have to drink more than 31 quarts of milk per day.  This problem is compounded in many infants in the form of gastrointestinal bleeding caused by increased mucus and diarrhoea associated with dairy consumption due to a reaction with milk protein (pasteurisation does not help), further depleting the limited iron stores.  The damage varies with the sensitivity level of individuals.

“It is estimated that half the iron-deficiency in infants in the United States is primarily the result of this form of cow milk induced gastrointestinal bleeding.”

The mucus produced by dairy products also causes accumulation in the lungs, sinuses and intestines contributing to many respiratory problems and mal-absorption of nutrients as the excess mucus hardens to form a coating on the inner wall of the intestines.  Other occurring problems can be chronic fatigue and constipation.

Most infants fed on cow’s milk may develop colic and ear infections.  This is derived either by direct consumption or breastfed by a mother who has been consuming dairy products.

A pathologist reviewed the heart vessels of over 1,500 killed by accident children and adolescents who had been fed cow milk or cow milk based formulas previously showed many of them having signs of diseased arteries in the heart.  This leads to a conclusion that the differences between human milk and cow milk were responsible for the early changes in the coronary arteries.

Milk causes obesity?

Recent study done showed babies given antibiotics directly or indirectly before the age of 6 months could cause obesity.  What happens is that microbes in our intestines may play critical roles in how calories and nutrients are absorbed, and exposure to antibiotics prematurely, may kill healthy bacteria that would otherwise keep us lean.  Farmers know very well that antibiotics are great at producing heavier cows and more milk for the market.

 

Milk causes Diabetes 1?

Several reports link insulin-dependent diabetes to a specific protein in dairy products. Type 1 diabetes usually begins in childhood and is a leading cause of blindness and contributes to heart disease and kidney damage.

Many studies have shown that cow’s milk proteins known as bovine serum albumin, stimulate the production of the antibodies which destroy the insulin-producing pancreatic cells gradually. When the infection becomes more pronounced with 80 – 90% of the insulin-producing beta cells destroyed, diabetes starts.

A study done confirmed the presence of such antibodies in all the 142 diabetic children at the point the disease was diagnosed. Non-diabetic children may have such antibodies, but only at much lower levels.

Evidence suggests that the combination of a genetic predisposition and cow’s milk exposure is the major cause of the childhood form of diabetes.

What can be done -

1.  We are back to the basics – human breast milk over cow’s milk

A Dr. Oski cited a “study of over 20000 infants conducted in Chicago dated back to 1930s and obtained the statistics:

+  The overall death rate for the babies raised on human milk was 1.5 deaths per 1,000 infants whilst the death rate in the babies fed cow milk was 84.7 per 1,000 during the first nine months of life;
+  The death rate from gastrointestinal infections was 40 times higher in the non-breastfed infants;
+  The death rate from respiratory infections was 120 times higher.
An earlier analysis involving infants in eight American cities showed similar results. Infants fed on cow milk had 20 times greater chance of dying during the first 6 months of life.”

2.  Milk for infants above a year?

 Those who argued that milk should be taken by infants played up the importance of milk being an excellent source of nutrients, especially when parents are unable to get them to eat balanced diets. It is also believed that when milk is taken before the age of 9-10, it reduces the likelihood of developing lactose intolerance.

The health concern on milk consumption remains in the milk protein not easily broken down and can disturb the body by weakening the immune system and causes allergies etc. An enzyme known as lactase is required to digest lactose but most infants have lost the lactase activity in their small intestine over time. This problem can be resolved by substituting for yogurt or using more probiotics. Parents and doctors noticed that some autistic children greatly benefit from removing dairy products from their diet.

3.  Best solution

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants be breastfed or use iron-fortified formula during the first one year.  From 4 – 6 months, certain solid foods and juices can be introduced.  There should not be total avoidance of milk as protein and calcium are still essential for their rapid growth.  In this way, a more balanced nutrition is achieved with lesser side effects if milk is really considered unfit for infant consumption.