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Parents who bottle-feed their babies are often unsure whether they can stick with pre-milk or should switch to stage 1 milk over time. Pre-milk is most similar to breast milk and should therefore be the preferred choice.
Switching from pre-milk to stage 1 milk: reasons for and against
There are so many different types of infant formula on the market that parents can quickly lose track of what’s available when standing in front of the milk powder shelf. Stage 1 milk is advertised as keeping babies full for longer, but switching is not necessary.
- After the birth of a baby, pre-milk is the product of choice if you are not breastfeeding. Pre is most similar to breast milk in terms of its composition of minerals, proteins, and fats, and it contains prebiotic fiber, which is good for the child’s immune system.
- Pre-milk, like stage 1 milk, is referred to as starter milk. There is also follow-on milk (stage 2 milk), which should be used from 6 months at the earliest, and children’s milk, which is usually only suitable from the 1st birthday.
- If parents feel that their baby is no longer satisfied with pre-milk, some doctors and milk powder manufacturers recommend switching to stage 1 milk. However, midwives often believe that this is not necessary.
- Stage 1 milk contains slightly more starch than pre-milk, which is why it is supposed to keep babies full for longer. However, the starch can also cause flatulence and stomach ache in babies. The calorie content is similar to that of pre-milk. However, there is no proven advantage of stage 1 milk over pre-milk.
- Powdered milk varieties that do not correspond to pre-milk are increasingly different in composition from breast milk. Follow-on milk and children’s milk also contain sugar, so you should carefully consider whether you really want to give them to your baby.
- If parents are concerned that their baby is not full after a bottle of Pre, they can simply increase the amount or frequency of the bottles. This is because babies are not always hungry every 3 hours. Growth spurts can cause an infant to want to drink more frequently. This does not mean that Pre milk is not sufficiently filling.
- If you are unsure which milk is right for your child, discuss this with your midwife. She will also check the weight curve and take a look at the baby’s sleeping patterns and well-being so that you can see whether your concerns are justified or whether the infant is gaining weight well.
How long you can give your baby pre-milk
For many babies, the bottle of milk is a faithful companion. However, you should gradually wean them off it.
- In principle, you can give your child pre-milk throughout their first year of life – and even beyond, if necessary. There is no fixed point in time when you must switch to another type of milk formula.
- Between the ages of 4 and 6 months, you can begin to gradually introduce complementary foods if your child shows signs of readiness. Even then, pre-food remains an important part of their diet.
- You can also slowly start introducing cow’s milk with the porridge. It is often recommended that cow’s milk only be given as a drink after the first birthday. How long your baby needs pre-milk depends entirely on their habits and preferences. From the age of one, or at the latest by the age of two, you should slowly wean your child off the bottle and switch to a cup.
