Children who are still growing need daily intake of essential nutrients, and sometimes it is not enough just from daily food. For this reason, Mother can give her baby additional intake in the form of milk.

In choosing the best children's milk for your baby, of course you can't be careless. Mothers need to understand a number of things such as nutritional content, types of milk, and the benefits of milk for the growth and development of children.

Benefits of Children Drinking Milk

Milk is a source of important nutrients that support the baby's growth and development. Milk is rich in calcium, protein, iron, as well as vitamin D which is very much needed by the baby during the growth period.

Here are the benefits of children drinking milk that you need to know:

Helps build strong bones and teeth. The content of calcium and vitamin D in milk is needed in forming children's bones and teeth.

  • Helps brain intelligence. Formula milk for children is now enriched with brain nutrients, such as omega 3 and omega 6, as well as AA and DHA.
  • As a source of energy for children. Milk contains protein and carbohydrates which serve as a source of energy to support the baby's activities.
  • Help maintain the health of the child's body. Milk contains various other important nutrients that function to increase the child's immunity from disease.
  • Meet the needs of body fluids. The milk that your child drinks is not only important because of its nutrition, but also helps prevent children from becoming dehydrated.

Choosing Children's Milk

In the market today, many dairy products are sold, all of which offer the best quality for the development of your Little One. So how do you choose the best baby milk?

The following are some key points that you should remember:

1.Type of Milk

The first thing to consider in choosing children's milk is the type of milk that is suitable for your baby. The following types of milk and their functions:

  • Cow's milk, is a children's milk product made from cow's milk. The milk that is sold in the market is generally cow's milk which can be consumed by the majority of children and has been fortified with various important nutrients for the growth and development of children.
  • Apart from cow's milk, there are several milk alternatives for children allergic to cow's milk, including:
  • Extensive hydrolyzed formula. In this milk, cow's milk protein is processed in a form that has been broken down into smaller components. Most ASS babies and children tolerate this type of milk well.
  • Amino acid formula. Formula containing free amino acids (the simplest form of protein) as a nitrogen source is the best choice for babies with ASS, especially those with severe ASS. Amino acid formulas are considered the first choice treatment for ASS.
  • Baby formula containing soy is not advised for newborns under 6 months old. This formula can be used for infants with unique needs, such as those with family financial difficulties, infants who cannot handle other forms of formula milk, or infants with unique preferences (a vegetarian diet).
  • Formula milk that has been partially hydrolyzed; this variety is not advised for newborns or kids who are allergic to cow's milk.

2. The child's age and health

According to Republic of Indonesian Minister of Health Regulation

1.       you should consider your baby's age before deciding on milk because children's nutritional needs continue to grow as they become older. 28 of 2019 concerning Healthy Nutrition Adequacy Rates for Indonesian People. . The nutritional needs of children aged 1-3 years will be different from children aged 3-5 years. Thus, milk for children 1 year old is certainly different from the best milk for children 2.

2.        years and over.

Apart from age, the child's condition also determines the best milk for him. There are children who have lactose intolerance or milk allergy. Pay attention to the condition of your baby before choosing children's milk, Mother.

3.       Nutrients Contained In Milk

The nutritional content in milk is also important to pay attention to before you buy milk for your baby. Choose milk with the nutrients needed for the growth and development of children, such as protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin D, to DHA and omega 3 and 6.

4.       Taste

Not all children like the taste of real milk, so mothers can choose milk with the addition of their baby's favorite flavor. There is milk with vanilla, honey or chocolate flavors.

Every child is different from one another, including the need for the best milk. For this reason, Mother needs to choose milk that suits the needs of the Baby.

This is an explanation that Mother can make into consideration before buying children's milk for your baby. Good luck, Mother.