Definition Cow's milk provides the body with energy, protein, calcium, vitamin D, riboflavin, and other nutrients. It is an important part of a healthy diet for children older than 12 months and adults. Medical and nutrition experts highly recommend breast-feeding for an infant's first year of life. Commercially prepared infant formulas are usually cow's milk-based or soy-based. Commercially prepared infant formulas do not contain factors that help protect babies from allergies and common illnesses, though infant formulas are nutritionally similar to breast milk.
Cow's milk products include whole milk, low-fat milk, fat-free milk, and dry powdered milk. Cheese and yoghurt are also made from cow's milk.
What is the effect on the body? Cow's milk and dairy products provide the kilojoules and protein needed for growth and development in young children. It also contains the calcium and vitamin D needed to promote bone growth and maintain strong bones all through life.
Information Cow's milk is an important part of most healthy diets for children older than 12 months and adults. Babies and infants should not drink cow's milk because it:
does not contain enough vitamin C, iron, zinc, and essential fatty acids that the infant needs to grow.
The protein in cow's milk is different than that found in human breast milk and commercial infant formulas. It is more difficult for an infant to digest and absorb. Also the iron that cow's milk contains isn't absorbed well by infants.
After a child is one-year old, whole cow's milk may be introduced in place of breast milk or formula if there is no milk allergy or milk intolerance. Health experts do not advise feeding children, under 2 two years of age, lower-fat dairy products.
From 1 to 2 years of age, drinking or eating whole milk products ensures that the child receives the amount of fat in the diet that is best for normal growth and development. From 2 to 5 years of age, skim or reduced fat milk provides enough nutrients (when consumed with a variety of foods) to promote growth and development. As children age, the amount of energy they need depends on their activity level and rate of growth.
For many children 5 years and older, energy needs are easily met with a diet that includes skim or reduced fat milk.
As children become adolescents and young adults, other foods may become the main source of kilojoules and protein. During this growth spurt, the role of cow's milk is to provide a rich source of calcium and vitamin D during the years of peak bone growth. During the later adult years, maintaining adequate calcium and vitamin D intake is essential to prevent the loss of calcium from the bones. This loss can lead to a disease called osteoporosis.
The recommended amounts of cow's milk and dairy products are as follows:
None for infants 0 to 12 months.
3 servings per day for children 1 to 3 years old. One serving equals:
200ml whole milk
40 grams cheese
200g yoghurt or custard
2-3 servings per day for children 4 to 11 years old. One serving equals:
1 cup (250 ml) fresh, long life or reconstituted dried milk
1 cup (250 ml) soy milk (fortified with at least 100mg calcium per 100ml)
1/2 cup (125 ml) evaporated milk
2 slices (40g) cheese
1 small carton (200g) yoghurt
1 cup (250 ml) custard
3 - 3 1/2 servings per day for children 12 to 18 years old. One serving equals:
1 cup (250 ml) fresh, long life or reconstituted dried milk
1 cup (250 ml) soy milk (fortified with at least 100mg calcium per 100ml)
1/2 cup (125 ml) evaporated milk
2 slices (40g) cheese
1 small carton (200g) yoghurt
1 cup (250 ml) custard
3 or more servings per day for adults 19 to 60+ years. One serving equals:
1 cup (250 ml) fresh, long life or reconstituted dried milk
1 cup (250 ml) soy milk (fortified with at least 100mg calcium per 100ml)
1/2 cup (125 ml) evaporated milk
2 slices (40g) cheese
1 small carton (200g) yoghurt
1 cup (250 ml) custard
The difference between whole milk, low-fat milk and reduced fat milk and dairy products is the fat and kilojoule content. Fat-modified milk and milk products have the same amount of vitamins and minerals, including calcium, as whole milk without so much saturated fat and extra kilojoules. Dairy products are an important part of the Australian Guide To Healthy Eating and should be an important part of the daily diet.
Author: Reviewer: HealthAnswers Australia Medical Review Panel Editor: Dr David Taylor, Chief Medical Officer HealthAnswers Australia Last Updated: 1/10/2001 Contributors Potential conflict of interest information for reviewers available on request
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