Contents
- What are “milks” or vegetable juices?
- Vegetable juices are good but… is it healthy?
- Are plant-based drinks suitable for babies?
- Coconut milk, almond milk… What are the dangers of infant milk for infants?
- In video: Which milks from birth to 3 years old?
- Which vegetable juice preparations are suitable for children?
- From what age can a baby stop animal milk and drink coconut or almond milk?
What are “milks” or vegetable juices?
If we speak readily of “vegetable milks” it is in fact a small abuse of language. Indeed, these vegetable drinks (this is how they should be called) do not contain milk as such: they are, in reality, composed of water and oilseeds or cereals. Among the most popular recipes, we find almond milk, known to be gourmet and digestible, oat milk, light and delicate, or even coconut milk with more exotic flavors.
Vegetable juices are good but… is it healthy?
Vegetable drinks have the particularity of containing organic acids which make calcium soluble and therefore easily accessible by the body. As for the oilseeds from which most of these preparations are derived, it is no coincidence that they are often described as “superfoods”: rich in vegetable proteins, fibers, minerals, vitamins and essential fatty acids, they are serious advantages from a nutritional point of view.
Are plant-based drinks suitable for babies?
No, because these products are not specific to infants and they should not, under any circumstances, replace breast milk or infant milk. Poor in calcium, essential fatty acids, iron, folic acid (vitamin B9), there is a risk of deficiencies by consuming them exclusively. In addition, vegetable juices – soya, almonds, etc. – can be allergenic. It is therefore not recommended to offer them before 6 months. Even from time to time!
Coconut milk, almond milk… What are the dangers of infant milk for infants?
As seen above, feeding a child exclusively with infant formula can certainly lead to nutritional deficiencies, but also much more serious consequences. Deficiencies can thus be the cause of edema with hypoalbuminemia, hematomas, bone fractures or even the death of the child in the most extreme cases.
The signs that should alert you if your child is suffering from deficiencies are their first metabolism : the thinness can be a cause of nutritional deficiencies. If your child is tired and seems to often catch illnesses like the common cold or the flu, this could also be a sign of deficiency. Do not hesitate to consult your pediatrician quickly.
In video: Which milks from birth to 3 years old?
Which vegetable juice preparations are suitable for children?
Some infant nutrition brands also offer recipes based on vegetable juices. Often presented in small jars or gourds, these are food products associated with gourmet moments, to be tasted from time to time: a tasty complement for breakfast, after the main course or for a snack break. These preparations bearing the mention “infant formula” are suitable for feeding the little ones as part of a balanced diet.
From what age can a baby stop animal milk and drink coconut or almond milk?
There is no real age when a child can completely stop animal milk. The need for calcium will be necessary for the development of the child until he reaches puberty. If you want him to stop consuming animal milk after he is three years old, you will need to buy plant-based milk (coconut, almond, etc.) with a high level of calcium: