Question:
I would like to know how I should go about choosing a milk powder formula for my five-year-old daughter. What should I look out for to ensure the milk will be suitable for her?
Answer:
Milk is an excellent source of nutrients such as calcium, B-vitamins, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, carbohydrates and fats. All of these nutrients are important as they help promote healthy growth and development in children.
If your daughter is growing up healthy and does not have a weight problem, lactose intolerance (inability to digest milk) or other medical conditions, she should be able to obtain the nutritional goodness of milk from any type of milk powder formula available in the market.
This is because, at age five, your daughter can obtain most of her nutritional requirements from a variety of foods that she consumes every day. But, children may be finicky over food at this age and hence, it would be good to provide her with a flavour of her choice so that she continues to consume milk throughout her childhood and also as an adult.
As milk powder, including soy-based formulas meant for those who are lactose-intolerant, is usually fortified with extra nutrients not normally found in milk, this consumption may help contribute to your child’s nutritional requirement.
Always select a milk powder that is of highest quality and freshness. Remember to check the expiry date printed on the container and do note that some children might also prefer to consume premixed milk that is ready to drink straight from the carton.
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