Cow & Gate

Breast milk and Cow & Gate’s follow on formulas Step Up (suitable from 6 months) and Next Steps (suitable from 9 months) are specially designed for growing infants – cow’s milk isn’t.

Cow’s milk is very low in iron and vitamins A, D and C and shouldn’t replace your baby’s milk until at least the age of one. In fact, many healthcare professionals recommend delaying the introduction of cows’ milk until 2 years of age.

Once your doctor has confirmed that your son has cows’ milk protein allergy, you will need to avoid all products containing cows’ milk. Your doctor or dietitian should give you practical advice on the management of a “milk free diet”. Most obvious sources (and the others which are a little harder to spot) need to be avoided:

• Butter, cream, milk (UHT, skimmed and semi-skimmed)
• Cheese, creamed cheese, cheese spread
• Yoghurt, fromage frais
• Chocolate and confectionary
• Icecream
• Whey, casein / caseinates
• Margarine

By the time your baby reaches 6 months of age, his natural store of iron has become depleted, so it’s really important to provide iron rich foods in your baby’s diet in order to ensure your baby is getting enough iron. A follow on milk, such as Cow & Gate Step Up is an excellent source of iron and provides 25 times more iron than cows’ milk and extra vitamin C to help absorb that iron more efficiently.

Babies are born with a preference for sweet tasting foods, however it is important for a baby not to further develop a “sweet tooth”. Try to avoid sweet foods as much as possible, instead give your baby plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Exposing your baby to these tastes can also help to establish a real love of fruit and veg, so your baby gets into the habit of enjoying healthy food (and making a healthier diet more likely in later life).

Breastmilk or formula milk provides all the iron your baby requires for the first 6 months of life. When your baby reaches 6 months, it is important to include iron rich foods in his diet to ensure healthy growth and development. Some excellent sources of iron include:

• Meat, chicken, fish
• Dark green leafy vegetables
• Beans
• Eggs
• Fortified breakfast cereals
• Follow on milks eg Cow & Gate Step Up

Remember: absorption of iron from these foods can be improved if you give vitamins C rich foods (such as fruit, fruit juice or lightly cooked vegetables) with them.

Never give you baby tea or coffee as they reduce iron absorption. Instead give him cooled, boiled water, baby fruit juice or milk.

Fruit and vegetables are the ultimate “super” foods and are packed with nutritious “goodies” such as antioxidants, so try to include 3-4 servings a day. These will help keep pace with your baby’s need for vitamins and minerals, as well as establishing healthy eating habits. And full-fat dairy products will help satisfy your baby’s need for both calcium and energy.

This is also a time for introducing more sophisticated flavours such as garlic, herbs and mild spices to really develop your baby’s palate and open-up a world of delicious possibilities.

Teatime meals often present a difficulty for parents as they try to offer their babies variety without compromising on nutrition!

Some easy nutritious ideas are listed below and don’t forget C&G Baby Balance range of babyfoods offer the right nutrition for every stage of your baby’s growth and development.

• Macaroni Cheese
• Pasta Bolognese
• Fish Pie
• Couscous with mashed vegetables