Question
I saw online that it’s not recommended to feed babies with yogurt. I’m wondering, since my baby is now twelve months old, is she still considered a baby? I’m not sure if she can drink drinks like yogurt at her current age. (By the way, my baby was weaned at six months.)
Answer
Babies under one year old should not drink yogurt. Although yogurt is rich in nutrients and parents are often eager to let their children have it, Qí Kemin, Director of the Nutrition Center at Beijing Children’s Hospital’s Department of Pediatrics, warns that babies under one year old should not drink yogurt. During the infancy period, children’s gastrointestinal systems are not yet fully developed, their gastric mucosal barrier is not yet intact, and their gastric acid and pepsin activity is relatively low, only half of an adult’s level. Yogurt undergoes an acidification process, resulting in a lower pH value. After entering the gastrointestinal tract, it may have an erosive effect on the delicate gastrointestinal mucosa of babies, affecting digestion and absorption. Based on the above situation, it is recommended that babies under one year old not drink yogurt. For this age group, parents can provide other appropriate beverages and foods to meet their nutritional needs. If there are any questions about baby diet, it is advisable to consult a professional doctor or nutritionist.