What’s The Difference Between Using Whole Milk Or Skim Milk In Baby Formula

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Having a baby is a huge step for both parents, but especially for the mother. Not only are you responsible for the wellbeing of your baby, but you are also directly responsible for feeding and nourishing them. Pregnant women often start coming up with a plan to breastfeed or formula feed, months before the baby arrives. And although you may have mapped out exactly how you want the first few months to go, sometimes things just don’t go according to plan. Your baby may have trouble latching onto your nipples, your milk supply may suddenly decrease or maybe breastfeeding is just too painful for you. Whatever the reason may be, we’re glad that we have baby formula as a great substitute. However, with this comes another set of questions you need to answer. What kind of formula should you use? Is it best to choose one with whole milk or skim milk? Does it even make a difference? If you’d like these questions answered, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading!

What Are The Components Of Infant Formula?

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Before you start picking them apart and figuring out if you should opt for a whole milk or a skim milk formula, it’s important to understand what formula constitutes of. Now as we all know, doctors recommend breast milk to babies for at least the first 6 months of their lives. And this is because it is incredibly complex. Not only does it contain carbohydrates, proteins and fats, but it also consists of millions of live cells, amino acids, enzymes, hormones, vitamins, minerals, and antibodies. In fact, scientists are still marveling over all the advantages of drinking breast milk for babies. It is essential for their growth and development.

However, it may not always be an available option to mothers, and this is when formula comes in to save the day. When it comes to considering what type of formula to give your hungry little one, it’s important to keep breast milk as the golden standard you want to replicate. And natural whole milk fats are your best bet of doing that. Keep in mind that all infant formula in the United States has to meet strict requirements laid out by the FDA. And this includes a specific amount of fat content in the formula, that is, 3.3 to 6 grams per 100 kcals. And this fat content can either be derived from whole milk or nonfat, skim milk. Or it can be supplemented with vegetable oils in order to meet the requirements.

What Is The Difference Between Whole Milk And Skim Milk?

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Cow’s milk is a great substitute for breast milk as it provides essential macronutrients to baby formula like carbohydrates, protein and fats. The major difference between whole milk and nonfat skim milk is, of course, the fat content. Whole milk contains around 3.25 % of fat content whereas skim milk contains 0% fat. So it is obvious that whole milk provides an important source of fat that skim milk does not, and it closely resembles the fatty acid profile that exists in breastmilk, even compared to vegetable oil.

Using whole milk also allows you to exempt adding unnecessary extra ingredients that formula brands usually do like vegetable and seed oils or palm oil. Unfortunately, most American made formula brands use skim milk as the base ingredient because it is the more cost effective option to mimic the fatty acids present in breastmilk. And they add vegetable oils in a specific proportion to this base. But using organic whole milk formula will allow your little one to gain nutrients straight from a natural fat source. This way your baby will still get the fat content they would from drinking breastmilk instead of just fat from vegetable oil.

Does The Quality Of The Milk Source Matter?

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Yes, it does! The diet and treatment of the animal producing the milk has a significant impact on the quality of the milk. This is why formula brands that source from grass-fed cows produce better milk. Grass-fed milk is known for being sweeter and it is higher in omega-3 fatty acids, beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin K2, and vitamin E. Besides, did you know that grass-fed cows produce milk that contains more conjugated linoleic acid? This is a healthy fatty acid that is great for your baby’s heart.

So, it’s safe to say that in most cases, whole milk formula is the way to go. It mimics breast milk better than skim milk and therefore is the better substitute. However, if you’re in a pinch there’s nothing wrong with skin milk formula either. After all, it is the cheaper and more easily available option. So, keep these factors in mind when you go formula shopping and make sure to feed your little one on demand.

Sources

1. Breastfeeding, NCBI
2. Breast Milk, a Source of Beneficial Microbes and Associated Benefits for Infant Health, NCBI
3. Code of Federal Regulations Title 21, FDA
4. Whole cow’s milk in infancy, NCBI

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Kezia JohnBA

Kezia holds a deep interest in writing about women adapting to motherhood and childcare. She writes on several topics that help women navigate the joys and responsibilities of being a new mom and celebrate every stage of their baby's development. When she is not writing for MomJunction, she sings in a classical Western choir and reads endlessly.