Soy milk, almond, rice, hazelnut… The vegetable milks are particularly fashionable but their use in infants under one year of age is not recommended.
“The use of vegetable drinks in infants is nutritional abuse! “, even the French-speaking Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism in a communicated addressed to the press. Several cases of malnutrition have already been described in infants fed exclusively with these vegetable milks, with serious complications ranging up to death. “
Very rapid growth before 1 year
In infants, any insufficient supply of energy, proteins, lipids, minerals, vitamins or trace elements has repercussions on the growth and development of the brain. bral which are all the more severe as the insufficiency of intake is early and prolonged.
The first year of life is when the child’s growth is the most important. Between 0 and 1 year, the baby undergoes very rapid growth. His weight is multiplied by 3, his size increases by almost 50% and his brain which weighs 300 / 400g at birth will reach 1 kg. For this growth to take place well, an infant needs a certain number of intakes and it is therefore particularly dependent on a diet that allows it to meet its nutritional needs.
The reference food for babies: breast milk
Breast milk is the food of reference adapted to the specific needs of the infant up to 4 to 6 months, when the onset of breastfeeding. food diversification, the remaining milk obviously present.
Excluding breastfeeding, only infant formulas and follow-on formulas (first age milk and second) whether formulated from animal or plant proteins allow to meet the needs of the infant.
Baby growth: also pay attention to the mother’s diet
The mother should also feed in a balanced way during the period of pregnancy and breastfeeding. Any deficits in vitamin and mineral intake are impacted on the infant. Certain feeding methods which can lead to deficits must be the object of precautions or of a specific follow-up.
Particular attention should be paid to women with a vegetable or vegetable diet (not consuming any product of animal origin) who should receive vitamin B12 supplementation during the pregnancy. © period of pregnancy and lactation.
Read also :
– To change cow’s milk, goat’s milk lands in the world of infant formulas
– Baby does not digest milk: allergy or simple intolerance?
