The suitability of feeding children cow’s milk is often challenged by claims without scientific evidence, such as that consumption worsens asthma symptoms or raises cholesterol levels. Affirmations heard in the School’s Moms and Dads Groups. And to which paediatricians answer with a clear no. “These assumptions are wrong, as is the fact that lactose intolerance in young children is permanent because it is usually transient and is overcome spontaneously,” explains Iván Carabaño, associate professor of pediatrics at the Complutense University of Madrid. Carabaño assures that milk is a complete food for the little ones and that humans have efficient machines to process it, so if it is properly tolerated there is no need to stop taking it.
The recommended amount of milk in children varies by age. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (US Department of Agriculture), these are the recommended daily amounts of this food for children and adolescents: aged two to three years: two cups (480 milliliters); from four to eight years about two and a half cups (600 milliliters); and three cups (720 milliliters) from ages nine to 18. “Higher intakes of calcium are required during puberty,” the pediatrician continues, “and it makes sense to increase intakes of calcium, as well as other dairy products, to help build strong bones as you grow.” Carabaño adds that calcium does too contained in other foods such as legumes, nuts or canned fish.
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“If the mother is also not breastfeeding the baby, a glass of whole milk and yoghurt can be given as part of her diet from the age of one,” explains Laura Llorente, nutritionist and psychologist at Centta Institute. a psychological clinic in Madrid. “Milk is a wholesome food because it also provides protein – casein -, phosphorus, carbohydrates, vitamins A, B and D and minerals,” emphasizes the expert. According to the Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP), 100 milliliters of milk provide around 60-65 calories.
What happens if the child does not tolerate milk?
Carabaño explains that cow’s milk also contains lactose – milk sugar – and can cause intolerance, which in babies manifests as symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, watery diarrhea or redness in the diaper area. “Between 10 and 20% of children are lactose intolerant,” the expert continues, “and the diagnosis is made through breath testing or a genetic test.”
“Lactose malabsorption is very rare in children under the age of six and increases with age, peaking between the ages of 10 and 16,” explains José Carlos Marín, Scientific Director of the Clinical Institute of the Digestive System, in Madrid. “Tolerability varies depending on how much is taken. In any case, people who are lactose intolerant tend to digest some of this sugar well. Usually this equates to a glass of milk a day, about 10 grams of lactose a day.”
Exactly, Marín continues, lactose intolerance occurs when this substance cannot be digested properly and when it is not absorbed by the intestines, irritation of the digestive system occurs. According to the expert, children who have the genetic variant that causes lactose intolerance are just as healthy as those who have the genetic variant that allows them to consume lactose normally. And he clarifies that treatment can be as simple as replacing the milk with a product that doesn’t contain lactose.
Differences in allergies
“Lactose does not usually cause a food allergy. The latter is an atypical immune system response, usually caused by the proteins found in this food, such as casein, lactoglobulins and bovine antibodies,” adds Marín. Data shows that, according to the AEP, between 2 and 5% of Spanish children suffer from it. “In this case, children often suffer from intestinal irritations such as chronic diarrhea, low weight gain, vomiting and tooth decay,” Carabaño lists as symptoms. The allergic reaction occurs immediately after the child eats it and the symptoms can range from mild to severe. In addition to those already mentioned, it can cause wheezing and hives and cause anaphylaxis, a serious reaction that can endanger the life of the child, according to the Mayo Clinic in the US on its website.
“The allergy usually occurs in the first three years of life and after that it is only an exception,” adds Marín. This expert explains that while it’s rare in teenagers, it’s one of the most common around the age of four. Minors who suffer from this must eat a diet strictly free of cow’s milk protein. “If the child was taking an artificial formula, it would be replaced with one containing hydrolyzed cow’s milk,” explains Carabaño. For his part, Llorente recalls that the consumption of dairy products is not essential: “They have been sold as a star product as the main source of calcium and protein, but they are not the only food from which these nutrients can be obtained. They are also in vegetable drinks such as oatmeal or almond drinks.”
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