Abstract

Cow’s milk is an important part of the diet in infants and preschool children. Breast milk is the most appropriate food for young infants, but when it is not available, or on the rare occasions when it is inappropriate, a feed based on cow’s milk is usually used. Sometimes, however, an infant needs a nutritionally complete formula feed based on something other than cow’s milk. Older children may likewise need a substitute for cow’s milk. This article discusses when such substitutes are needed and the merits of the different preparations.