From the moment babies are born, breast milk is their primary source of food. As they grow, introducing formula at the right time becomes a necessary stage. This transition is a gradual adjustment process for toddlers. Subsequently, as age increases and nutritional needs change, reducing formula intake at the right time and introducing a variety of solid foods becomes particularly important.
Experts generally recommend that infants and young children continue to consume formula milk until the age of 3, ideally extending it to 7 years. This is because relying solely on solid foods may not provide enough high-quality protein needed for children’s growth, which could affect their physical and intellectual development. In addition, a lack of trace elements in formula milk may lead to iron and calcium deficiencies, causing problems such as anemia or rickets. Directly replacing formula milk with fresh cow’s milk is not advisable because the protein type and mineral content are not suitable for the digestive system of infants and young children, which may cause digestive problems and constipation.
The advantage of formula milk is that it adjusts the nutritional composition based on the requirements of children at different stages of growth, such as adding necessary nutrients, which fresh cow’s milk or regular milk powder cannot compare to.
Facing the possibility of a child rejecting milk, experts suggest using gentle inducement strategies. For infants who have just weaned, choosing formula milk with a taste similar to breast milk and trying feeding breast milk with a bottle first before gradually transitioning to formula milk, preferably feeding when the baby is tired but hungry, has a higher success rate. For older toddlers, if they have a good acceptance of complementary foods, parents can gradually increase the proportion of formula milk by adjusting the diet structure. Observing and utilizing the child’s preference for taste, such as adding a moderate amount of glucose or fruit juice to attract them to drink, and selecting utensils that the child likes can also be helpful.
In conclusion, the transition from formula milk to solid foods requires patience and carefulness, parents should timely and gradually guide their children to ensure a balanced diet and assist in their healthy growth.
