What are the benefits of animal milk for babies?
The NHS says cow's, goat's and sheep's milk are not suitable as a main drink for babies under 12 months, because they do not have the right balance of nutrients and goat's and sheep's milk lack enough iron. They can be used in cooking or mixed into food from about 6 months. From age 1, pasteurized animal milk can be a main drink.
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In this article
Which animal milk is best for babies?
None of them as a main drink in the first year. The NHS says cow’s milk should not be given as a main drink until a baby is 12 months old, because it does not contain the right balance of nutrients for a baby’s needs.
Can babies have goat’s or sheep’s milk?
The NHS says goat’s and sheep’s milk are also not suitable as a main drink for babies under 1 year. They do not contain enough iron and other nutrients that babies of this age need.
Can milk be used in food before 12 months?
Yes. The NHS says cow’s milk can be used in cooking or mixed into food from about 6 months. The rule is about milk as a drink, not about all uses.
When can a child have animal milk as a main drink?
The NHS says that from 1 year old, pasteurized cow’s, goat’s or sheep’s milk can be given as a main drink. Choose pasteurized milk only.
What about benefits such as immunity or brain development?
Our earlier text listed benefits for babies. We found no official source for them in the NHS page we read, so we removed those claims. For what your baby should drink, ask your health visitor, pediatrician or doctor.
People also ask
Which animal milk is best for babies?
The NHS names none as a main drink under 12 months; cow's, goat's and sheep's milk all wait until age 1.
Can I give my baby cow's milk before 12 months?
Not as a main drink. The NHS says it can be used in cooking or mixed into food from about 6 months.
Why is goat's or sheep's milk not suitable for babies under 1?
The NHS says they do not contain enough iron and other nutrients babies need at this age.
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