Is Coconut Milk Okay for Baby?

Hi W.,
I've never heard of giving coconut milk to a baby. I would only give breast milk to an infant under one year of age. Is it possible for you to pump?
Good luck!
D.

She might just have a problem with the lactose. Here's a lactose free formula that is not soy based http://www.naturesone.com/lactose-free.php

It's also my understanding that some people who can't tolerate cow milk can take goat milk fine so you might want to look into a goat milk formula. All I see is for toddlers (12 months) but it's better then giving just coconut milk. http://www.iherb.com/productdetails.aspx?c=1&pid=1083...

Another thing is to try organic formula (you can get it at a grocery store, make sure it's certified organic.) Some people have a reaction to the pesticides and stuff in the milk, and when they have organic milk they are just fine!

Ultimately, the best thing would be to keep breastfeeding and or pumping.

S.

I would not substitute raw coconut milk for formula for an infant under 12 months. I have also heard it has laxative effects. I might consider giving it to a *older toddler or child* in addition to regular meals but I wouldn't feed my baby coconut milk as a primary nutritional source.

I found a website that discusses the similarity in lauric acid between coconut milk and breast milk... Ok, that is interesting... (pasted below) however *ALL* baby formula is mandated to provide a certain amount of essential fat, protein and calories. Just because there are similarities in lauric acid doesn't mean coconut milk has similar nutrition in protein, fat, carbs and overall calories.

From http://www.happystomach.com/coconut.htm
"Unlike other oils and fats, coconut oil contains a large amount of the fatty acid known as lauric acid, which is the predominant fatty acid found in mother's milk. The lauric acid makes breast milk easily digestible, it strengthens the immune system and protects against viral, bacterial and fungal infections."

So if you toggle between these two website pages (below) you can compare the nutritional value between baby formula and coconut milk. What I find particularly interesting is that coconut milk is rated a 22 in terms of complete nutrition; formula is rated a 56 (more than double!). Also, there is a chart that rates the calories in terms of carbs/fat/protein; it says the calories from coconut milk is almost completely derived from fat (87% from fat, 3% protein, 10% carbs) whereas calories from formula is rated as equal in carbs and fat (46% from fat, 10% protein, 44% carbs).

http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/nut-and-seed-products/...
http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/baby-foods/10024/2

If you want to compare it with a different formula brand, this page lets you select the formula: http://www.nutritiondata.com/foods-formula003000000000000...

I have heard the opposite of the answers you were given. Coconut milk is the miracle food, children growing up in tropical places who are not able to nurse are brought up on coconut milk! God gives us natural resources to help us out! Coconut milk is the most similar milk found next to mother's milk! It is high in fiber and protein and helps brain development, all of which mother's milk does. I have given it to my baby who didn't like formula (even homemade), and she loves it and is healthy! I would say it is good to give your baby coconut milk. Also know your resources. This is not a popular way to go , but the formula industry and science behind it is trying to make money so they will do whatever it takes to shut down what nature (not trying to make money off of you) and all it has to offer. I would do some research though on different coconut milk companies because some coconut milk is too processes, you want to find one that is the least processes, a good indicator is if it has cream on the top which is the way it should be. This is brief but u hope it helps!

Never heard about coconut milk......however, I had the same issue with my daughter, she could not handle any fomulas. I breast fed till she was about 8 months, then transitioned her to goat milk. It is very similar in consistency and nutrients to breast milk, and easily digestible. Dr. Sears has a Goat Milk formula on line that you can make yourself from Meyersburg canned goat milk (or fresh), water, and an infant multi-liquid.

I've never heard of this, and I've studied lactation and baby nutrition (in regard to bfing). I know that the major components of breast milk and cow's milk which are useful in brain development and growth are casin and whey. cow milk is more geared toward growth and human milk is better suited for brain development, in terms of the ratio of casin to whey.

Coconut "milk" is not really a milk. Milk is produced by mammals. It would seem terribly low in protein to me, but I've never studied coconut milk with anything other than a straw. Ask a nutritionist before going this route. It could seriously deprive your little one of much needed proteins.

I would wait until after she is 12 months old and instead look into a soy based formula. We were told on our son that babies should stay away from not just peanuts until 1-2 but all tree nuts (that included coconuts for some reason).

i would not use coconut as your babies only source of nutrition, it has a laxative effect and is not nutritionally complete as a food for babies.
i dont know where you read that lol, but i dont think its a good idea

Coconut milk is not real milk. The coconut is part of the Palm family and is usually treated as a replacement for oils.

I would suggest you speak with your pediatrician and find a new formula. There are tons of them out there. You may need to try a few different ones to find the right one for your child.

Your infant needs specific nutrients since her brain is developing very quickly at this point.

If you aren't going to pump, go to formula. Formula is a complete source of nutrition or a baby, coconut milk is not.

Have you tried mixing the formula with breast milk and gradually changing over to formula entirely? Any child is going to have a reaction to a new food source at that age - even from one type of formula to another. BTW - coconut milk is NOT a food source for a six month old infant.

I would talk to your doctor and try a different formula. Coconut "milk" isn't really milk and is only called that because it's white as far as I'm concerned. It isn't a nutritionally sound replacement for breast milk or formula. YOU NEED TO TALK TO THE DOCTOR!! Especially if there was a reaction to the formula that concerns you. That's why they went to med. school. They may be annoying at times but they do have their moments. There are so many different types and kinds of formula out there that you can give to your baby, but you need to try them and give them a chance before taking a chance with your baby's health with the coconut milk.

I would also say talk to your doctor about this reaction before you start switching formulas and trying different kinds. Different reactions can indicate different issues. Again, you need to have your baby's reaction evaluated so you don't run into any more problems or something serious happens. The money you will spend on the doctors visit might be worth the amount of money you could spend on trying different types of formula on your own and on the headaches it can cause if it's not the right one. Babies bodies don't like having things switched around on them and can really get them upset and crying up a storm. Again, worth the money spent at the doctors.

Good luck.
Jen
http://www.mommysjoy.com

I feed my almost 2 year old coconut milk as her main "milk" source because I do not believe that animal enzymes are digestible to humans.
But coconut milk does not have all the protein or calcium they need, so I fortify it for her with brown rice protein powder, and liquid calcium. Makes it the cleanest most beneficial thing they could have! But I wouldnt start that til they are close to 2 or so. My daughter did get the laxative effect when we first started it but it only took about a week before her body adjusted. 3 most essential oils in their diet should be olive oil, coconut oil, and fish oils.

Hi W.,

Coconut milk is extremely high in calories, fat and sugar. I would highly recommend another alternative.

Definetly speak with you Pedi.

Good luck,
D

Yes! My sisiter and I both supplememnt with coconut milk when needed...my 7 month old love s it! It has natural anti-viral properties like those found in breast milk....and is vegan, soy and dairy free....I recommend it highly.....I use the So Delicious brand found at Kroger or Whole Foods...Val

My Dr couldn't believe my 4th child wasn't sleeping thru the night yet. She said the formula he is on is just not enough. He has a milk protein intolerance/ allergy and has to drink special formula and stay away from casein.
She has said the waking every 4 hours to drink 8 ounces is proof he needs to eat. I can't get him to eat anything other than oatmeal (steel cut) and applesauce (homemade). He looks so skinny compared to my other 3 children.
Dr recommendation was goats milk. If that doesn't do well then coconut milk before bed so the fats fill him up and he's not drinking his 24 ounces when we're trying to sleep.

I don't know anything about coconut milk, but be sure to talk to your pediatrician before making any switch. Coconut milk may not be nutritionally complete for a growing baby. Your doc may recommend another formula alternative to the similac advance that would work well.

No no no no
PLEASE TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR... THERE ARE OTHER FORMULAS OUT THERE THAT WILL HELP BUILD YOUR CHILD UP,,, SOY IS ONE I HAVE A COUPLE THAT COULD TAKE REGULAR FORMULA AND TWO THAT HAD TO BE PUT ON DIFFERENT FORMULAS... PLUS WE NOW HAVE 14 GRAND KIDS... PLEASE DON'T DO THE COCONUT MILK IT IS NOT GOOD FOR A BABY... YOU WANT YOUR CHILDREN TO GROW UP STRONG AND HEALTHY AND THE YOUNGER YEARS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT..
SORRY FOR BEING SO BLUNT... PLEASE TAKE CARE OF THAT SPECIAL BUNDLE OF JOY... HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR... S.