Goat's milk, by nature, is closer to human breast milk than cow's milk or soy, which means less processing and more natural goodness. It is high in oligosaccharides, similar in protein levels to human breastmilk, and is low in lactose, which makes it perfect for babies and toddlers with sensitive tummies.
If you cannot find infant formula and you usually give your child a regular infant formula, you can give your 6 month to 12 month old child some pasteurized (not raw), unflavored, whole cow's milk. Cow's milk should only be given for a short time (no more than a week) as instructed by your child's doctor.
Breastfeeding is the safest way to feed a baby during an emergency and provides the nutrients and infection protection that babies need. Infants who are unable to breastfeed or be fed expressed breast milk can be fed with ready-to-feed infant formula, which does not require adding water for preparation.
Start weaning by replacing one breast milk feeding a day with a bottle of infant formula (for your child younger than 12 months old) or with a cup of plain whole cow's milk or fortified unsweetened soy beverage (for your child 12 months or older). Continue to replace more breast milk feedings over time.
Almond milk should not be offered as a beverage to babies under 12 months, although small amounts in recipes is fine. The WHO and AAP recommend breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life. Breastfeeding provides the nutrients babies need and exposes babies to different flavors from the mom's diet.
NOTE: Cow's milk usually is only recommended for babies after their first birthday. In an emergency, though, babies 6 months of age and older who do not get a specific type of formula for medical reasons can drink cow's milk, but for no longer than a week and not more than 24 ounces per day.
Where babies are not breastfed, a properly prepared, commercial infant formula is the only safe alternative. Cows' milk should not be given as a drink to babies less than 12 months of age.
When Can Your Baby Drink Milk? After 12 months of age, your baby can have whole cow's milk instead of breast milk or formula. At this age, they don't need an infant or toddler formula.
Bring the powder with you and prepare a feed as normal using cooled boiled water. The water should be no no less than 70°C. If you choose to bring formula powder when travelling you can measure the correct amount for each feed into a small, clean, plastic container with a tight-fitting lid.
Almond milk should not be offered as a beverage to babies under 12 months, although small amounts in recipes is fine. The WHO and AAP recommend breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life. Breastfeeding provides the nutrients babies need and exposes babies to different flavors from the mom's diet.
Enfamil Enspire
Enfamil's Enspire Opens a new window is the brand's closest formula to breast milk, thanks to the inclusion of proteins found in colostrum, like lactoferrin. (In fact, Enspire is the first and only infant formula in the U.S. to include lactoferrin as an ingredient, according to the brand.)
Whole Cow's Milk
This type of milk is recommended as a replacement to baby formula at this age by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Per 8 ounces, whole cow's milk is a quality source of calcium, protein, fat, phosphorous, Vitamin A, and Vitamin D.
Similac® 360 Total Care®* Infant Formula is made with an exclusive blend of 5 HMO prebiotics structurally identical to those in breast milk. Our formula also has nutrition designed for immune support, brain development, and digestive health.
Can babies have oat milk? As with nut milks, oat milks are not recommended as a complete replacement for dairy or soy milk for children under 5 years. Oat milks are low in fat and protein, which toddlers need for healthy growth and development.
Vegan infants
For those children who do not have diagnosed allergies and are not on hypoallergenic formula, unsweetened calcium-fortified milk alternatives, such as soya, almond and oat drinks can be offered from one year of age as part of a healthy, balanced diet which contains plenty of calcium, protein and energy.
Never serve coconut milk to a baby younger than 12 months of age as it can displace critical nutrition from breast milk or formula. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that babies should drink only breast milk or formula until the first birthday (and optionally, small amounts of water after six months of age).
It is completely fine to serve your baby's formula cold that is cold or at room temperature, although not all babies are going to want to consume it this way. Getting your little one used to drinking cold formula may take a few tries, but with time and consistency, most babies will adjust to formula feeding this way.
It's fine to give your baby room temperature or even cold formula. If your baby prefers warm formula, place a filled bottle in a bowl of warm water or run under warm water. Test the temperature by putting a couple of drops on the back of your hand or wrist. The formula should feel lukewarm — not hot.
Dr. Winkelmann says the biggest risk of feeding your baby incorrectly mixed formula is that they could develop problems with the balance of salt and other electrolytes in their body, which can be dangerous.
Soya milk. Soya milks (made from soybeans) have similar protein levels to cow's milk and so are often a good choice of milk for toddlers following a plant based diet. Many, however, are very low in energy (calories) unless sugar has been added to sweeten them.
Bebe M formula is a great plant-based alternative for babies with digestive issues or allergies. The latest science on hydrolyzed rice formulas deems them a healthy and safe formula choice to treat cow's milk allergy.
We recommend using unsweetened, fortified non-dairy milks, such as pea milk or soy milk, for new eaters as these contain the same (and sometimes more) calcium than a serving of cow's milk.