Is your child in a growth stage? Avoid this common mistake in their nutrition.
What is the common mistake in feeding young children?
It is common to replace growing-up milk formulated for children with liquid cow's milk, which, despite its wide availability, ease of consumption and not requiring preparation, is a serious mistake when given to a child in the early stages of development because it lacks important nutrients that are essential for maintaining the child’s health and proper growth in the first years of life, the most important of which are:[2]
Iron
One of the most prominent nutrients that liquid cow's milk lacks is the mineral iron, which in turn forms the basic building block of blood cells in the body. Its deficiency may lead to the child developing anemia, in addition to its role in supporting brain growth, and maintaining heart health and the activity of the circulatory system, the health of which is linked to the functioning of the body's other vital systems.[4][2][1]
Vitamin D
Your child cannot do without this important vitamin that helps build a proper skeletal structure and strong bones and muscles that enable the child to sit, stand and walk and protect them from rickets (weakness or softening of the bones), in addition to strengthening the immune system and supporting its ability to fight illnesses and maintain overall health. Growing-up milk formulated for young children is fortified with vitamin D, and for added benefit it is recommended to expose the child to sunlight at appropriate times so they receive vitamin D naturally while playing during the day and drinking their healthy growing-up milk, not liquid cow's milk.[3][5][1]
Omega fatty acids
Long-chain unsaturated fatty acids, most notably omega-3 and omega-6, play a fundamental role in building the retina and improving the child’s visual functions, in addition to supporting brain growth and the development of the nervous system. They are available in appropriate amounts in the composition of growing-up milk formulated for children, unlike liquid cow's milk.[7][2][1]
Probiotics (prebiotics)
Liquid cow's milk does not contain prebiotics (probiotics) unlike growing-up milk formulated for young children, which includes prebiotics in its composition. These are found in the normal intestinal tract and in turn represent living microorganisms (beneficial bacteria) that have a significant healthy effect reflected in easier digestion and gut health by regulating the function of the digestive system.[7][2]
Finally, do not let common mistakes threaten your child's health and safety, including introducing liquid cow's milk into their diet during the early growth years. Replace it with the healthy and safe option of milk formulated for young children, whose balanced composition clearly impacts your child's health through signs of healthy growth and the changes they go through, which begin with increased interest in the external environment, gains in weight and height, advancement in the use of the senses, the emergence of a small amount of awareness that gradually increases in recognizing the people around the child, up to sitting, attempting to stand and finally walking on an exploratory journey into the big world that awaits them.
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