Final answer:
Cow's milk should not be given to infants because its proteins are difficult to digest and it lacks the balanced nutrition required for a baby's development. It is generally recommended to introduce cow's milk into a child's diet at around one year of age, after they have been primarily fed breast milk or formula.
Step-by-step explanation:
Introduction to Cow's Milk in a Child's Diet
It is generally recommended that cow's milk should not be introduced into a child's diet during infancy. Cow's milk composition is not suitable for infants as its proteins are difficult to digest for an infant's immature digestive system. Additionally, cow's milk lacks the appropriate amounts of lactose and fat needed for an infant's growth but has higher levels of protein and minerals compared to breast milk.
Appropriate Age for Introducing Cow's Milk
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that cow's milk can be introduced into a child's diet at around one year of age. Prior to this, infants should be fed breast milk or formula that is specially designed to meet an infant's nutritional needs. Breast milk itself changes over time, adapting to the child's developmental stages, starting with colostrum and transitioning to mature milk by approximately the 10th postpartum day.