Can Babies be Given Yogurt?

Moms have a 8 month old children who are learning solid food, but you still wonder whether yogurt can be given. How do health professionals?

According to Dr. Diah Pramita SpA from UB Women & Children Clinic, Jakarta, yogurt is actually not much different because basically milk yogurt is milk fermented with lactobacillus bacteria enter - good bacteria that exist in the gastrointestinal tract. These additions make the acid and lactose (milk sugar), broken down and the texture of milk was turned into a clot.

"Apart from fresh milk, yogurt also can be made from skim milk (nonfat milk) dissolved in water with a specific ratio, depending on the desired product consistency," he explained

Actually children aged 8 months, he said, can be given yogurt. But that must be considered, first do not immediately give the yogurt, especially if the child just learning to eat solid food. We recommend that you give step by step, little by little first. Second, if your child has a history of allergies, the doctor should first check with your child, whether the child should be given yogurt. If allowed, what yogurt can be given to your child. Due to several cases in children who are allergic, allergic reactions may appear when given yogurt. Third, for the consumption of the baby, choose a pure yoghurt / plain (without adding any flavor including fruit-flavored).Mixed with native fruits such as mango, banana, strawberries, kiwi, melon, avocado or mashed papaya (crushed or blended)

"Often yoghurt are sold already given additional substances such as artificial sweeteners, artificial coloring or gelatin. If your child does not fit with the additional substances, the baby may develop diarrhea. Fourth, make sure that consumed yogurt containing live bacteria is good. Fifth, keep the yogurt in the refrigerator, but do not be frozen because it can ruin it implies, "he described.

According to him, very good yogurt is consumed when the baby has diarrhea because it can help the healing process. In addition, yogurt also help babies who suffer from intolerance to lactose (milk allergy) - to prevent diarrhea due to lactose intolerance.

"Lactose milk in yogurt is broken down by bacteria through the fermentation process, so easily absorbed digestion. That's why yogurt highly recommended as a substitute for milk for children who are unable to digest lactose properly, "he added.

In addition, says Dr. Diah, eating yogurt regularly can help keep your digestive tract health, overcoming constipation, improve colon function and increase stamina.

"Yogurt is also a source of protein and calcium are important for the baby, which is required for growth and development of infants.While the calcium needed for bone formation, "he concluded.(Source: Mom & Kiddie)