Natural alternatives to powdered milk for infants
At the beginning of a newborn’s life, parents are mainly faced with the challenge of ensuring nutrition. Countless guidebooks and websites recommend breastfeeding for the first six months.
But how to continue after that is hotly disputed among experts. While some advise formula milk, there are now also some natural alternatives to formula milk for infants. We will present some examples in a moment.
Why breastfeeding and milk are so important
Whether a mother should breastfeed her child, or feed it with the help of powdered milk, is always a controversial topic in parenting guides. It is always stated that breastfeeding strengthens the bond between child and mother.
Also, it is not always guaranteed whether milk powders do not contain unnecessary additives that a toddler does not need at all. If a child gets hungry on the go, it may be easier for him to get the food if he is breastfed because a water bottle is not always at hand.
In addition, milk from the breast contains all the necessary nutrients for optimal development of the child, while this is not always guaranteed with milk from the bottle.
If you still do not want to breastfeed your child for various reasons, you should use milk substitutes right from the start. This food is called milk formula according to a classification of the European Union.
It contains little protein because the child’s gastrointestinal tract is not yet fully developed and therefore normal milk cannot be absorbed.
From the fourth month, additional food can be given, called 1s food, which contains more carbohydrates and lactose to achieve a longer lasting satiety of the infant.
This is usually cow’s milk or soy-based and the nutrient composition is very similar to milk from the breast.
What happens after six months?
Because of the benefits mentioned above, mothers are generally advised to breastfeed their child for at least the first six months. After that, the toddler’s motor skills and urge to move improve and so additional food is needed.
This can be supplied in the form of follow-on milk for mothers who can no longer or no longer wish to breastfeed their children. Or in the form of complementary foods to milk from the breast. In this case, breastfeeding is also accompanied by some food in the form of vegetables or porridge.
The new milk has the advantage that it is more satisfying and the child is fuller for longer. Also, parents hope so that the children sleep better at night. Bottle feeding, however, has the disadvantage that parents have to be very sensitive not to give the child too little or too much milk.
Breastfeeding at the breast regulates the child’s needs all by itself, as the child simply stops when it has had enough. This phase should last until about the completion of the first year of life.
Natural alternatives to powdered milk for infants
If you are still unsure whether powdered milk or milk from the breast is suitable for your own infant, you should take a look at natural alternatives to powdered milk for infants.
The first alternative is to make the milk yourself. The advantage is that you know what is contained in the milk. It is now relatively well known what nutrients a growing horse needs, and so the milk can be tailored entirely to the child’s needs.
The disadvantage is that this is nevertheless not quite as balanced as industrially produced milk powder. Even the semi-milk used as a basis does not contain as much vitamin A and C as is necessary.
A really good natural alternative is sweet lupine powder. This grows in Germany and, properly prepared, provides the child with many important nutrients.
If both parents are allergic, the child can also develop an allergy at a young age. This powder is very well tolerated and does not lose its vitamin substances when warmed up. Due to the good conductivity for nitrogen it is also very compatible.