Although breast feeding is best for your baby there are rare situations where breast feeding may not be possible or recommended. They are as follows
- Mother is receiving treatment for cancer or thyroid disorder
- mother has expired or is severely ill
- mentally disturbed mother
- Adopted child
- HIV suffering mother
In such situations and only such situations should other milks be used. Which milk to choose-cow milk, buffalo milk or canned milk? Canned milks are fortified with iron, vitamins and micronutrients suitable for babies. Their protein content is also suitable for babies. There is less risk of contamination and infection with them. But they are quite costly- an important factor. Cow milk, although much used in India, has following disadvantages-Poor iron content, higher protein and sodium content which puts load on kidneys. But it can be used. Cow milk should not be diluted. Buffalo milk is not so suitable since it has higher protein content as well as much higher fat content also. Still, if you have to use it you should dilute it with boiled water in 3:1 ratio (milk: water).
Canned milks come as I (from birth to six months), II(six months onwards) and even III forms .Each variety is produced keeping in mind nutritional requirements specific to age of the baby .Then there are special milks for low birth weight babies and preterm babies. These are manufactured according to special requirements of low birth weight babies. Many companies are making such milks.
