Use of cows’ milk in infant feeding with emphasis on the compositional differences between human and cows’ milk

Abstract

Prior to 1974, and the first edition of the UK Department of Health publication Present Day Practice in Infant Feeding (DHSS, 1974), British infants who were not breast-fed were fed on cows’ milk or formulas of reconstituted dried cows’ milk. Feeds were prepared by adding slightly more water than had been removed in the drying process, and then sugar to increase the energy content. While the vast majority of infants thrived on these feeds, some developed serious complications and even died (Wharton, 1982). Since 1974 cows’ milk and formulas of reconstituted unmodified cows’ milk have not been recommended in Britain for infants under 6 months (DHSS, 1974). Scientific understanding of infant nutrition has increased greatly over the past 20 years and recommendations for the composition of infant formulas have expanded. Directives now regulate the composition and marketing of infant formulas and follow on formulas within the European Union.