Which is better, powdered milk or liquid milk?

Breast milk is the main food for newborns until they reach 2 years of age. However, there are also parents who want to wean their children faster, on average when the baby is one year old. Well, weaning a baby means replacing breast milk with formula milk, which is available in powder or liquid form. If you are still confused about which milk is better; whether powdered milk or liquid milk, you should understand the following reviews.

Benefits of milk for child development

Milk has important benefits for growing children, such as supporting growth and healthy bones and teeth. The nutritional content of milk such as vitamin D, vitamin B12, calcium, protein, phosphorus, and potassium helps the performance of organs and hormones in the child's body. In addition, milk also provides calories which are useful as a source of energy.

Although healthy, how much children drink milk must also be considered. The intake of milk for children is two to three 250 ml glasses per day. If it is excessive, there will be additional calories which can make the child gain weight.

Get to know powdered milk and liquid milk

Based on its shape, there are milk on the market that is packaged into a dry powder or remains in a liquid state. Powdered milk comes from liquid milk which undergoes a heating process with the help of a tool spray drier.

Meanwhile, there are two types of liquid milk, namely fresh milk (fresh milk) and also processed liquid milk. Fresh milk is a type of milk that comes directly from milk-producing livestock, which is free from added sweeteners or flavorings.

Different from fresh milkProcessed liquid milk must go through a heating process to kill bacteria and add flavor to make it tastier and last longer. Processed liquid milk can be UHT milk, pasteurized milk, and other milks.

Better powdered or liquid milk?

The most complete nutritional content of milk is in liquid milk fresh milk.Meanwhile, milk that has undergone a processing and heating process, its nutritional content will change slightly, one of which is the number of calories.

Fat in milk skim milk or low fat, be it powder or liquid, much less when compared to fresh milk. Unfortunately, milk fresh milk does not last long and will spoil quickly when compared to processed liquid milk or powdered milk. Some processed liquid and powdered milk products also contain additives, for example vegetable stabilizers, fruit flavors or added sweeteners. So, which one is better?

Dr. Matthew Lantz Blaylock, PhD, a nutrition scientist, when met at Kidzania, Pacific Place, South Jakarta, Friday (14/9) said, "Powdered milk undergoes a process spray drying which can cause oxidized cholesterol. Better to choose fresh and natural foods or drinks, for example fresh milk.”

Milk fresh milk it is more complete in nutrition than other milks. However, that does not mean that processed liquid milk products and other powdered milk are unhealthy. As long as you carefully choose milk and provide milk according to your intake, your child's health will be maintained. Doing a consultation with a doctor is much better if you are in doubt which milk is best for children.