Many parents worry that introducing cow’s milk too early could increase their baby’s risk of developing Type 1 diabetes.
However, current evidence does not support this concern.
While some early research suggested a possible link, more recent studies have found no consistent association between cow’s-milk exposure in infancy and diabetes risk. Experts now believe that genetics and immune factors play a much greater role than diet in the development of Type 1 diabetes.
Regular cow’s milk (fresh, UHT, or powdered) is unmodified and unsuitable for babies under 12 months because it’s too high in protein and minerals and lacks key nutrients like iron and essential fatty acids.
Infant formula, although made from cow’s milk, is scientifically modified to make it safe, digestible, and nutritionally complete for infants from birth.
So while it’s safe to feed your baby formula milk, you should wait until after 12 months before offering plain cow’s milk as their main drink.
Even though cow’s milk doesn’t cause diabetes, it’s not suitable as a primary drink for infants under one year old because:
It’s hard to digest. A baby’s digestive system isn’t mature enough to handle cow’s milk proteins efficiently.
It can cause intestinal bleeding and lead to iron deficiency anaemia in some infants.
It strains immature kidneys. Cow’s milk contains higher protein and mineral levels that can put stress on developing kidneys.
It lacks key nutrients. It doesn’t contain enough iron, vitamin E, and essential fatty acids required for a baby’s growth and brain development.
Once your baby turns 12 months old, whole (full-cream) pasteurised cow’s milk can safely be introduced as part of a balanced diet, unless advised otherwise by your paediatrician.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic condition that occurs when the body cannot properly use or produce enough insulin — the hormone that regulates blood sugar.
There are three main types:
Type 1 diabetes (T1DM): An autoimmune condition usually diagnosed in childhood or adolescence; it cannot be prevented.
Type 2 diabetes (T2DM): Often related to lifestyle and weight factors; it can sometimes be prevented or delayed with healthy habits.
Gestational diabetes (GDM): Occurs during pregnancy and usually resolves after childbirth, but increases future risk of Type 2 diabetes.
While genetics and immune factors play a role in Type 1 diabetes, dietary exposure to cow’s milk in infancy has not been shown to cause it.
Introducing cow’s milk too early does not increase your baby’s risk of diabetes. However, it’s still best to wait until they’re at least 12 months old to make cow’s milk their main drink. Before that, stick to breast milk or infant formula, which provide complete nutrition and support healthy growth.
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