Giving Packaged or Toned Milk to Babies – Is It Safe?

Milk is a rich source of protein and calcium, and a must-have in your baby’s diet once he is ready to start with semi-solids and liquids other than just breast milk. If your baby is above six-months-old and you’re planning to introduce cow or buffalo milk in his diet, other than just breast milk or formula, you will want to know if you can give him packaged or toned milk. Being a new mother is not easy, and you’re likely to have enough questions regarding your baby’s diet. It’s alright! We’re here to answer you! Find out if you should give packaged milk to your baby!

Is It Safe to Give Packaged Milk to Infants?

Packaged milk is treated with heat to kill any bacteria or any pathogens that can cause diseases. Many processes such as pasteurisation and safety checks are undergone before the milk is ready to be packaged and put on the market, which makes the packaged milk safe for infants. Find out when you can give packaged milk to your baby!

When Can You Introduce Packet Milk to Your Baby?

Babies below six months of age should be exclusively breastfed as breast milk contains all the vital nutrients that a baby needs for his growth and development. Packet milk can be introduced in your baby’s diet once you start weaning him off breast milk. You can include a spoon or two in the food that you make for them at six months and above then later increase the quantity after checking with your baby’s paediatrician.

Different Types of Packaged Milk

There are different types of milk that are available in the market today. Find out at what age you can introduce them to your child.

1. Toned Milk

Although many people confuse toned milk with skimmed milk, the two are not the same. Toned milk is made from whole milk that is mixed with water, skimmed milk, and powdered skimmed milk. It contains very little fat.

Pros and Cons

Toned milk has some of the nutritional value as whole milk, but it does not contain fat-soluble vitamins. It is also more affordable than skimmed milk.

When Should You Consider?

You can give toned milk to your child after they turn five years of age.

2. Semi-Skimmed Milk or Skimmed Milk

Skimmed milk is known as non-fat milk. In skimmed milk, the cream is removed, which makes it low in fat. It contains only 0.3% of fat in it.

Pros and Cons

Skimmed milk helps in reducing weight, but unfortunately, it is not something that should be considered for a growing child as it lacks the fats needed for healthy growth and development.

When Should You Consider?

Skimmed milk can be introduced in a child’s diet once he turns five years of age.

3. Tetra Pack Milk

Tetra pack milk is heated for the recommended amount of time, cooled and immediately put into tetra packs. Is tetra pack milk safe for babies? Find out!

Pros and Cons

The packaging helps keep the milk from getting contaminated and also retains the nutritional value of the milk. This milk is safe for little ones. Its shelf life is extended, and it is very easy to transport. But over boiling could cause it to lose its nutritional value.

When Should You Consider?

Tetra pack milk can be given to babies who are six months of age and above.

4. Organic Milk

Organic milk is full of nutrients that are essential for babies. Cows that have been fed a strictly organic diet which does not contain growth hormones or preventative medications. Thus their milk is organic.

Pros and Cons

The milk is pure as it contains no added hormones. Organic milk contains natural omega-3, calcium and Vitamin E. The only downside is that organic milk is very costly as compared to the regular milk available in grocery shops.

When Should You Consider?

Organic milk can be given to babies six months and above.

5. Whole Milk

Whole milk is simply known as milk. Milk that contains 3.5% of fat and is comparatively unadulterated.

Pros and Cons

It is healthier for consumption but is not good for those who are struggling with weight.

When Should You Consider?

It should be preferred once the baby turns 1 year of age but it can be given even after the baby turns six months old.

6. Evaporated Milk

Milk that is gently heated and has 60% of the water removed is known as evaporated milk. Evaporated milk is also known as unsweetened condensed milk.

Pros and Cons

Canned evaporated milk can be stored for up to a year and is enriched with Vitamin D. It is more expensive than regular milk.

When Should You Consider?

You should consider giving your child evaporated milk if it is an emergency and nothing else is available.

Packaged Milk Vs Fresh Milk – Which Is Better for Your Baby?

Fresh raw milk is cow milk which is not treated but should be boiled before consumption. Many parents often chose fresh milk as it is said to have higher nutritional value than packaged milk. However, when it comes to fresh milk, one needs to ensure that the cows are fed well and kept in a clean environment. Some things to look out for in fresh milk are listeria, salmonella, E. Coli and others. Though they can be killed through boiling, sometimes they are very hardy and remain alive even after boiling.

In case of packaged milk, the big fat particles in it are broken down into smaller ones during the process of pasteurisation, and these are a better source of fat for children. Other healthy bacteria are also killed during pasteurisation. But when it comes to if fresh milk is good for babies, it is said to be higher in calcium and minerals.

If you are still wondering if you can give packet milk to your baby, then the answer is yes. Both fresh milk and packaged milk have their pros and cons, but you can give either after boiling it and making so that the milk is devoid of bacteria. If you want to give packaged milk, you can – it is safe and easily available! Many parents also wonder which packet milk is best for babies. Try to go for organic or well-known brands to ensure a proper pasteurisation process.

FAQs

1. Which Milk is Not Suggested for Babies?

Babies should be exclusively breastfeed or formula fed till they turn at least 6 months of age. Post that, you can slowly introduce cow’s milk, ensuring that it is not skimmed milk or toned milk, as those can only be given once your child turns five years. 

2. What Type Of Natural Milk Is Best For Babies?

For the first 6 months, you should give your child either breast milk or formula milk. If you wish to introduce any other form of milk to your child, post that period, start with cows milk. However, make sure it is not toned or skimmed milk.

When weaning your baby off breast milk, do it slowly by introducing a little bit of milk into their food at a time. If there is a sudden change or if you give cow milk to your child at a very young age in large quantities, chances of developing allergies to cow milk will be higher, so add little milk in his diet initially. Babies require milk with high fat and protein content to grow properly, so avoid giving them skimmed or toned milk and stick to whole or organic milk.

References/Resources:

1. When Is It Safe to Give Cow’s Milk to My Baby?; Cleveland Clinic; https://health.clevelandclinic.org/when-is-it-safe-to-give-cows-milk-to-my-baby/; December 2020

2. Cow’s Milk and Milk Alternatives; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/foods-and-drinks/cows-milk-and-milk-alternatives.html; May 2022

3. Cow’s milk – infants; Medline Plus; https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002448.htm

4. Leung. A, Sauve. R; Whole cow’s milk in infancy; PubMed Central; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2791650/; September 2003

5. Drinks and cups for babies and young children; NHS; https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/weaning-and-feeding/drinks-and-cups-for-babies-and-young-children/; October 2022

Also Read:

Dairy Products for Babies
How to Introduce Cow’s Milk to Infant?
Can You Give Your Baby Raw Milk?