Do I need to give my baby liquid milk (water milk) that other babies are drinking?

Every time we mention milk powder, we receive a lot of questions. This is related to children, so it is inevitable that people will pay attention to it all the time. Among these voices, we paid attention to a word - "water milk".

We asked a lot of questions in the Dad Review fan group and found that everyone has different opinions on water milk and has many questions.

Friends who want to join the Dad Review mother and baby group can send a private message "join the group" to obtain the joining method.

In fact, the real name of water milk is "liquid infant formula milk", which can be simply understood as prepared infant formula milk powder. This kind of milk is currently popular in Europe and the United States, but its acceptance in China is not yet high.

So can we drink water milk? What is the difference between it and milk powder?

We selected the same brand of stage 1 infant formula milk (powder) and compared the differences between the two in terms of formula, nutrition, process and price. Let's take a look at the differences between them.

1. Difference in formula

The ingredient lists of the two types of milk are not much different, but water milk contains additives - carrageenan and mono- and di-glycerol fatty acid esters.

The two additives mainly play the role of emulsification, that is, to make the various ingredients dissolve more evenly. Because milk powder is ready to drink, and water milk needs to remain in liquid state for a long time, emulsifiers are needed to make this state more stable.

It should also be noted that my country's infant formula milk powder implements a formula registration system, while water-based milk currently implements a filing system, which means that water-based milk sold on the market does not have the national food registration mark.

Of the two systems, the formula registration system has relatively stricter supervision.

2. Differences in nutritional ingredients

It can be seen that the types of nutrients are the same and the contents are similar, with little nutritional difference.

However, in the water-based milk we used as an example, the DHA and ARA content are much higher than that of the same milk powder, which is probably one of the reasons why this water-based milk is more expensive.

3. Process Difference

One big difference in terms of technology is that water and milk have to go through a sterilization process, and the bottle is made of PP, which can effectively block the air and achieve commercial sterility levels, with a shelf life of 6 to 18 months.

However, infant formula is currently unable to achieve a sterile state due to limitations in raw materials and processes.

4. Difference in convenience

Water milk is individually packaged. Generally, the amount in a bottle is the amount of milk the baby drinks at one time. It is very convenient to use. Just shake it, open the lid, add a pacifier, and then you can give it to the baby.

There are many benefits to this. You don't need to boil water, you don't need to accurately control the brewing ratio and water temperature of milk powder, and you can avoid contamination caused by improper operation during the brewing process. After drinking, there is no need to wash the bottle or sterilize the bottle. It is simply a good partner for parents to free their hands.

The most important point is that it is no longer a hassle to go out.

However, the acceptance of water-based milk in China is not yet high, because most parents still believe that it is better to give babies warm milk.

In this way, even water and milk can be heated, but it loses its biggest advantage - convenience.

5. Price Difference

Let's take these two products as an example and calculate the daily cost based on the amount of milk the baby drinks in a day:

If you drink water and milk every day, the cost is three times that of using the same brand of infant formula with similar nutritional ingredients. The price difference is quite large, which may discourage some families.

However, if it is just used as a way of breastfeeding that is convenient to carry when going out and used in combination with milk powder, the price is still acceptable.

After reading to the end, some friends must be wondering: Is water milk worth buying?

First of all, let us make it clear that the design and production of water milk also follows the requirements of infant formula. When the baby cannot or cannot be fully breastfed, water milk and formula milk can replace breast milk for the baby to drink.

Judging from the comparisons above, there is not much difference between the two, but the cost-effectiveness of water milk may not be that high, and it is not suitable as the daily food for babies in ordinary families.

It might be more suitable for use outside.

So what should you pay attention to when drinking water and milk?

Water milk itself can be drunk directly. If you really need to give your baby hot water, you can put the whole bottle of water milk in warm water to warm it up. Be careful not to heat it in a microwave.

In addition, if you do not finish the drink after opening the lid, refrigerate it immediately and drink it within 24 hours. If it exceeds 24 hours, throw it away.

We prepared some milk powder and gave it to our colleagues along with some water and milk to taste.

People generally say that compared to milk powder, water milk feels lighter and slightly less sweet. But water milk smells weird, probably due to high temperature sterilization.

A colleague said that his neighbor's child is only used to drinking water-based milk and will not drink any other milk powder, so the cost of drinking milk at home is very high.

In fact, what we want to say is that drinking milk is important, but when the baby is one year old, no matter what kind of milk it is, it can no longer meet their daily nutritional needs. Milk is just one of the nutrients.

The addition of complementary foods is more important to them.

The picture comes from the Internet

Don't forget that your baby is a human being, and he will grow up one day. He will slowly eat the same food as us and begin to experience the ups and downs of his life.

What we can do for them is to have less anxiety about choosing milk powder and more attempts and encouragement. Maybe your baby is already ready to grow up naturally and harmoniously.