USDA Program Teaches Expectant Moms The Harmful Effects Of Cow’s Milk

June 29, 2010: 08:32 AM EST

Low-income expectant mothers who enroll in the USDA’s WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program early in their pregnancy – first or second trimester – are more likely to either breast feed or feed their infants formula, and less likely to introduce their infants to harmful cow’s milk too soon, a U.S. study has found. Cow’s milk is difficult for infants to digest and is much lower in iron than breast milk and formula. Infants fed cow's milk are at an increased risk for developing anemia or other iron deficiency disorders. "What this study tells us is that if we intervene by enrolling low-income women in WIC earlier on in their pregnancies, it will be healthier for the babies," said one of the researchers.

Kathleen M. Ziol-Guest, Daphne C. Hernandez, "First- and Second-Trimester WIC Participation Is Associated with Lower Rates of Breastfeeding and Early Introduction of Cow's Milk during Infancy ", Journal of the American Dietetic Association, June 29, 2010, © American Dietetic Association

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USDA Program Teaches Expectant Moms The Harmful Effects Of Cow’s Milk

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