In Which Milk is Better? (Part 1), I decided on the ideal alternative milk for Vee:

Regular pasteurised whole organic milk from grass-fed cows and/or

homemade yoghurt made from organic milk from grass-fed cows

500 to 600ml (or mg) per day

plus a multi-vitamin

(Vee’s diet is primarily vegetarian, with one serving of fish about 4 times a week. He also eats eggs about 4 times a week.)

Over the past two months, we have tried six types of dairy products, namely:

1. Organic Valley Organic Full Cream Milk
2. True Organic Organic Full Cream Milk
3. Farmhouse Full Cream Milk
4. PURA Milk
5. Enfapro A+ Formula Milk Powder
6. EasiYo: Bio-Life Organic (Full Cream) Yoghurt

This article compares the nutritional value, cost and other factors of the above products. Except for Enfapro A+ Formula Milk Powder, the other items can be consumed by adults too.

1. Organic Valley Organic Full Cream Milk

This is the only organic fresh full cream milk that we found in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

• Source: Australia
• Packed in: Australia
• Cow’s main diet: Organic vegetarian (which could mean grains, instead of grass)
• Organic certification: Yes (Australian Certified Organic)
• Processing: Pasteurised and homogenised
• Price: RM23.49 per litre (~USD7.35 or SGD10.03)
• Available at: The Village Grocer, Bangsar Village (Stocks infrequently replenished)

We like the taste and drank it for a few weeks. It is the MOST expensive milk among the six.

Special Note: This brand from Australia is different from another well-known “Organic Valley” brand from the U.S — the logos are different.

Strengths:

• Certified organic
• High in fats (4.0g per 100ml)
• Pasteurised and homogenised
• No additives

Weaknesses:

• Low in calcium (82mg per 100ml) and carbohydrates (4.5g per 100ml)
• Unknown whether cows are grass- or grain-fed
• No company website for further clarification
• Infrequently stocked
• High price

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2. True Organic Organic Full Cream Milk

This is the only organic UHT full cream milk that we found in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

• Source: Australia
• Packed in: Australia
• Cow’s main diet: Grass
• Organic certification: Yes (NASAA)
• Processing: Pasteurised and homogenised
• Price: RM11.50 per litre (~USD3.60 or SGD4.91)
• Available at: The Village Grocer, Bangsar Village (Stocks are usually plentiful)

The taste is less rich and we drank it for a week. Being UHT milk, it is convenient to bring during travels.

Strengths:

• Certified organic
• Cows are grass-fed
• No additives

Weaknesses:

• Low in energy (259kJ per 100ml)
• Processed by UHT

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3. Farmhouse Full Cream Milk

After we could not get Organic Valley Full Cream Milk several times, we turned to Farmhouse.

• Source: Australia
• Packed in: Australia
• Cow’s main diet: “Grazing in the pastures (grass), hay, various types of grains, and cotton seed” (Email from F&N Dairies (M) Sdn Bhd)
• Organic certification: No
• Processing: Pasteurised and homogenised
• Price: RM6.50 to RM7 per litre (~USD2.11 or SGD2.88)
• Available at: Most supermarkets (Stocks are usually plentiful)

The taste is rich and we have been drinking it for several weeks.

Special Note: This is different from the Farmhouse Full Cream Milk we bought in Singapore. The Singaporean-version is packed in Singapore and slightly cheaper.

Strengths:

• Pasteurised and homogenised
• No additives
• Widely available
• Low price

Weaknesses:

• Cows are not mainly grass-fed
• Not certified organic

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4. PURA Milk

Another fresh milk from cows in Australia, which I decided to give it a try.

• Source: Australia
• Packed in: Malaysia
• Cow’s main diet: “All our milk is from ‘free range’ cows, i.e. not placed in barns and feed on hay and grains, but kept in paddocks to eat grass, supplemented with hay and other feed if the grass levels are too low.” (email reply from National Foods, owner of PURA)
• Organic certification: No
• Processing: Pasteurised and homogenised
• Price: About RM7 per litre (based on RM14 per 2-litre bottle) (~USD2.19 or SGD2.99)
• Available at: Cold Storage and other supermarkets (Stocks are usually plentiful)

The taste is less appealing than Farmhouse and we drank it over a few days.

Strengths:

• Pasteurised and homogenised
• Cows are mainly grass-fed
• No additives
• High in energy, protein, fat and calcium (refer to Nutrition Information below)
• Widely available
• Low price

Weaknesses:

• Not certified organic
• About 2-3 bottles was slightly sour when we opened them. When this happened, Vee would be very sensitive to the taste and refuse to drink the milk.

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5. Enfapro A+ Formula Milk Powder

We had a 2 days 1 night trip to Ipoh. Bringing formula milk powder would be more convenient than liquid milk, so I let Vee try it a few days before the trip. (The most convenient is still direct breastfeeding!) Various brands of formula milk powder are not compared because Vee would rarely drink it. The choice is based on a relative’s recommendation as both her children are drinking it.

• Source: Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the U.S.
• Packed in: Thailand
• Cow’s main diet: Unknown
• Organic certification: No
• Processing: Pasteurised, homogenised, UHT and spray-drying (Inferred from Wikipedia)
• Price: About RM15.70 per litre of milk (Based on RM39.30 per 400ml tin, more cost-efficient for larger tins) (~USD4.91 or SGD6.70)
• Available at: Most major supermarkets

I do not like the artificial taste. Fortunately, Vee accepted it. At home, this is the least convenient as it needs to be prepared. I prefer to pour fresh milk into a cup and feed Vee immediately.

Strengths:

• High in energy and carbohydrate (refer to Nutrition Information below)
• No need to supplement with multi-vitamin
• Widely available

Weaknesses:

• Unknown whether cows are grass- or grain-fed
• Not certified organic
• Low in protein, fat and calcium (refer to Nutrition Information below)
• Processing steps (other than pasterisation and homogenisation) unknown
• Contains additives

Similar to many formula milk in the market nowadays, there’s added DHA in Enfapro A+. The level is one of the higher ones I observed, at least in Kuala Lumpur, which explains its higher price. However, I’m not convinced that added DHA is all good due to the controversy surrounding it. For instance, read USDA Calls for Removal of DHA/ARA From Organic Formula here.

Moreover, Vee’s able to get DHA from breastmilk (previously), and now from free-range eggs and oily fishes such as salmon and mackerel.

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6. EasiYo: Bio-Life Organic (Full Cream) Yoghurt

Since pregnancy, I have been making EasiYo organic yoghurt at home with its yoghurt maker. Homemade organic yoghurt is fresher and more cost-efficient than off-the-shelf ones (which cost about RM50 per litre, 2.5 times as much).

It is easy to make fresh yoghurt with EasiYo:

1. Add cold water and yoghurt powder into the inner jar, cover the lid, and shake to mix well.
2. Fill outer jar with hot water to the recommended level.
3. Place inner jar into the outer jar.
4. Cover and let it stand for 8 to 12 hours.
5. Place into the refrigerator and consume within 2 weeks.

• Source: New Zealand
• Packed in: New Zealand
• Cow’s main diet: Grass
• Organic certification: Yes (NZ Agriquality)
• Processing: Pasteurised and homogenised (Other steps: unknown)
• Price: RM19 to RM20 per litre of yoghurt (RM109 for yoghurt maker or RM99.90 for starter pack promotion) (~USD6.10 or SGD8.33)
• Available at: Selected organic shops, pharmacies and Ambery.com.my

This yoghurt is relatively sour, yet Vee LOVES it, whether plain or with thick cereal. I prefer to eat it with fruits, nuts and/or seeds.

Strengths:

• Certified organic
• Cows are mainly grass-fed
• High in fat and calcium (refer to Nutrition Information below)
• 5 strains of live lactic cultures

Weaknesses:

• Processing steps (other than pasterisation and homogenisation) unknown
• Contains additives (natural emulsifier and soy lecithin)

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Conclusions

1. We did not find any “regular pasteurised whole organic milk from grass-fed cows”.
2. PURA Milk is a good alternative being a “regular pasteurised whole milk from mainly grass-fed cows”.
3. EasiYo: Bio-Life Organic (Full Cream) Yoghurt matches the criteria for “homemade yoghurt made from organic milk from grass-fed cows”.

That’s it: Vee and I would be eating EasiYo organic yoghurt and drinking PURA Milk, until we find even better options.

Update on 31 January 2011: Because a few bottles of PURA Milk (bought in Kuala Lumpur) tasted “off” when opened, we’ve stopped buying them. Nowadays, Vee drinks Farmhouse Full Cream Milk and eats EasiYo organic yoghurt.

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Get Your Special Download:

This summary table compares the nutrition value, price and other factors of the 6 dairy products discussed.

• Summary Table: Compare Dairy Products for Toddler (webpage in new window)
• Summary Table: Compare Dairy Products for Toddler (pdf document)

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Other Useful References:

• Feeding Guide for Children
• Nutrition in Toddlers
• Full Fat Yoghurt for Infants and Toddlers

P.S. If you have any recommendation for fresh and nutritious dairy product, please share in the comment box.

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Note: The above opinions are from our own experiences, which may differ from yours. For advice on nutritional needs, please check with a qualified medical professional.

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Related posts:

1. Which Milk is Better? (Part 1)
2. Child-Led Schedule (16 Months Old, 1 Nap)

When Vee was about 14 months old, I decided to start weaning him off breastmilk — the perfect and best milk for human beings. The main reason is that his regular suckling day AND night is doing too well in child-spacing. I hope to have a second baby by the end of next year so that their age gap is within three years and while I am still in my twenties.

Weaning off breastmilk means I need to search for an alternative milk drink for him, amongst the HUGE variety of milk available in the market. The options: formula milk (brands A to Z), whole (fresh) milk (brands A to Z), whole organic milk and goat’s milk. Gosh… no wonder this post took four afternoons to complete and after several shopping trips. Since all mothers would need to go through a similar thought process when weaning the toddler off breastmilk or after he outgrows infant formula, this article shall share with you the findings from my exploration.

1. How Much Milk to Drink?

Vee was fed latching on exclusively (except for the odd occasion) on demand, so I have no idea how much milk he drinks.

• His paediatrician mentioned 500 to 600ml of dairy products per day is sufficient after one year old, mainly for the calcium.
• Calcium intake recommended in the U.S. for children 1-3 years old: 500mg per day (Source: AAP Policy)
• 240ml of milk or 240mg of yoghurt provides about 300mg of calcium (Source: AAP Policy)
• “Unless advised otherwise by your baby’s doctor, limit your toddler’s cow milk intake to no more than 24 ounces a day.” and “excessive milk consumption is a common cause of iron deficiency anemia in toddlers” (Source: AskDrSears.com)

My conclusion: Vee needs about 500 to 600ml(or mg) of milk and/or yoghurt per day.

2. Whole Milk or Formula?

I read the labels of formula milk (both organic and non-organic versions) in the supermarkets and realised that I was still not comfortable with feeding Vee highly-processed food regularly. In Malaysia, the ingredients of the brands of milk powder I surveyed are listed in Bahasa Melayu, which I do not understand. I could only guess what some of the ingredients are. However, as whole milk is not fortified with vitamins and minerals, I am concerned if it would provide sufficient nutrition for Vee.

• Whole milk is fine, but do not switch in a hurry (Refer to the last paragraph in this article from AskDrSears.com)
• “we do not recommend follow-up formulas that contain corn syrup. They are nutritionally unwise and unnecessary.” (Source: AskDrSears.com)
• Our home-visit nurse suggests supplementing whole milk with a multi-vitamin to ensure that Vee receives all the necessary nutrients.

My conclusion: Choose whole milk and/or yoghurt and supplement with a multi-vitamin

3. Milk from Cows, Goats or What?

Some mothers have mentioned that they feed their toddlers with goat’s milk or soy milk. Since Vee is allergic to soy, it is not an option for him. After more Googling around, I found others who opt for oatmilk and rice milk (these are essentially health beverages, not really milk per se.)

• Goat’s milk may be easier to digest and less allergenic than cow’s milk. (Source: AskDrSears.com)
• “milk alternative beverages not containing appropriate quantities of protein and/or vitamins and minerals for toddlers should carry a warning label as to their inappropriateness for this age group. (Source: Severe Nutritional Deficiencies in Toddlers Resulting From Health Food Milk Alternatives, PEDIATRICS Vol. 107 No. 4 April 2001, p. e46)

My conclusion: Choose cow’s milk, which is widely available

4. Organic or Non-Organic?

Through my pregnancy and breastfeeding months, I have been on a largely vegetarian diet, eating mostly home-cooked meals using organic ingredients where possible. Since Vee started eating semi-solid foods at 6.5 months, I try to prepare his meals with organic ingredients as far as possible. My main objective is to protect his health by avoiding unnecessary use of antibiotics, growth hormones and genetically-modified organisms (GMO). Now that he is going to drink milk produced by an animal other his Mummy, I hope that the animal is fed on a healthy diet too.

My conclusion: Choose whole organic milk or yoghurt

5. Cows: Pastured (Grass-Fed) or Confined (Grain-Fed)?

Just when I thought I had considered enough factors, I read about parents who were opposed to drinking milk from grain and corn-fed cows. In nature, cows are supposed to feed on fresh grass, instead of  grains. Even organic milk may come from cows who are confined and fed on organic corn most of the time. (Read the relevant USDA organic standards here.) My preference is for food as close to nature as possible, so even organic milk needs to be chosen carefully.

My conclusion: Choose milk or yoghurt from grass-fed cows

6. Regular Pasteurised or UHT Milk?

Ever wondered why some milk are kept in the refrigerator while some are stored in room temperature for up to 6 months?

High Temperature Short Time (HTST) or Flash Pasteurisation: The liquid moves in a controlled, continuous flow while subjected to temperatures of 71.5 °C (160 °F) to 74 °C (165 °F), for about 15 to 30 seconds.(Source: Wikipedia)

Ultra High Temperature (UHT) Processing: partial sterilization of food by heating it for a short time, around 1–2 seconds, at a temperature exceeding 135°C (275°F), which is the temperature required to kill spores in milk. (Source: Wikipedia)

Regular pasteurised milk usually costs more than UHT milk, so I explored if the former had significant nutritional value (or if UHT milk is good enough).

• “A study by Carbonaro (2000) supports these findings with the conclusion that the in vitro digestibility of proteins in UHT treated milk was significantly impaired compared to pasteurized milk. AlKanhal (2001) concluded that this reduction in nutritional quality might be significant for children who are solely dependent on this type of milk in their diet.” (Source: The Effect of Heat Treatment on the Nutritional Value of Milk, Erin Gillis, September 1, 2005)

• “Current research indicates that HTST pasteurized milk maintains more nutritional integrity than UHT milk, and for this reason HTST pasteurized milk is recommended for those who have the capability to purchase and store the product in accordance with food safety guidelines.” (Source: The Effect of Heat Treatment on the Nutritional Value of Milk, Erin Gillis, September 1, 2005)

My conclusion: Choose regular pasteurised milk

FINALLY, I have decided on the ideal alternative milk for Vee:

Regular pasteurised whole organic milk from grass-fed cows and/or

homemade yoghurt made from organic milk from grass-fed cows

500 to 600ml (or mg) per day

plus a multi-vitamin

Stay tune for Part 2, where a few brands of shortlisted milk / yoghurt would be compared.

Poll: What is your toddler’s favourite milk (or dairy product)?

—

Next reading: Which Milk is Better? (Part 2) – Comparison review of 6 milk and yoghurt products for toddlers

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1. Which Milk is Better? (Part 2)

My search for the ideal open cup for Baby V has finally ended with the purchase of Combi Mug (Step 4 – Standard Mug)! I found the last piece at Isetan (KLCC) at a listed price of RM59.90.

This is a 200ml (6.8oz) cup with two handles, a snap-tight lid and a inner lid that can slow down the flow of liquid, making it suitable for babies from 8 months old (exactly Baby V’s age). When the child is older, the inner lid can be removed, so the mug functions like a normal cup.

Baby V used the cup with ease and I am glad that he finally has the correct tool to learn cup-drinking.

Update on 31 January 2011: The Combi Mug range has been revamped. The new Combi Mug (Step 4) looks completely different and is even pricier at RM79.90! I saw it at Isetan (Kuala Lumpur).

Pros:

• Optional inner lid slows down flow of liquid, making the cup suitable for young babies
• Snap-tight lid prevents ‘major’ accidental spillage when the cup is not in use
• About the only open cup with 2 handles for babies and young toddlers

Cons:

• Snap-tight lid is not totally leak-proof (Some liquid would spill out when child shakes the covered mug)
• Inner rubber ring prone to mildew problem
• Available in only one colour – blue
• Pricey at RM59.90

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Get Your Own

Combi Mug (Step 4 – Standard Mug) has been re-designed and is available at Isetan (Kuala Lumpur).

You may also take a look at the new Combi Mug range at Amazon.com here: Combi Mug, Step 2* (I couldn’t find the link to Step 4, so this is for Step 2.)

*: affiliate link to support the growth and maintenance of Mummy’s Reviews™

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1. Review: Mummy Cut My Hair! (Combi Haircut Set)

Although Baby V has been drinking well from the Medela Disposable Baby Cup Feeder, I searched for a cup which has a handle and lid so that he can learn to drink by himself. It was a futile effort as all the ‘training cups’ we came across have either a soft spout, hard spout or straw. It seemed like there was no open cup designed for babies here.

Steadyco offers Steadycup and Steadycup Maxi, which I found at Chubby Chubby (Desa Parkcity). Some brief differences:

• Steadycup: holds 6oz, no lid, available in a pack of 1 or 3 cups, suitable from 12 months old
• Steadycup Maxi: holds 8oz, has lid, sold singly, suitable from 18 months old

I bought the Maxi version (listed price: RM39.90) as it comes with a lid. There was a discount of 30% for members and 20% for non-members.

When I tested the cup at home, I was disappointed that the lid did not snap tight to the cup. It was easily removed no matter how tight I tried to close it. Steadyco’s website describes the lid as a ‘Leak Proof Travel Lid’, so I am wondering if I received a defective item.

It was easy for Baby V to drink from the cup and I like the wide base; however, I have to search for another cup with a TIGHT lid, so that it is more baby-friendly.

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Update on 27 May 2010:

Since Vee is being weaned off to drink fresh milk several times a day, he needs a few cups as I prefer to wash his utensils and cutlery once in the evening. This saves time and water. Thus, I brought out this cup again for his use. Interestingly, when I used my palm to press the lid down to the cup, it snapped tightly! I wonder what went wrong when we tried it initially and the lid would not snap. Now. this is a wonderful cup.

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Pros:

• Wide base keeps the cup steady and prevents spillage
• 12 month warranty/guarantee period
• Washes well easily (due to its simple design)

Cons:

• Difficult to snap lid tightly to the cup

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Related posts:

1. Review: AVENT Magic Cup Soft Spout (For 6 Months +)
2. Review: Medela Disposable Baby Cup Feeder

When Baby V was five months old, he rejected the bottle teat. There was more than a month of unsuccessful attempts to feed him using a soft spout. Over one weekend in August, I chanced upon an article entitled “What to Feed the Baby When the Mother is Working Outside the Home” by Dr. Jack Newman, on the website of Breastfeeding Mothers’ Support Group (Singapore). It suggested feeding through an open cup and it suddenly occured to me to try using the Medela Disposable Baby Cup Feeder, which the hospital has given me when I delivered Baby V. (They are also available at a pack of ten at Robinsons, The Gardens.)

During lunch, I offered about 5ml of expressed breastmilk (EBM) to Baby V via the Medela cup. He sipped it, recognised it as his usual drink, finished the entire serving after several sips (some dribbled down from his lips) and wanted more!

What a simple and inexpensive solution! I should have saved the money spent on buying the cup with soft spout, which is essentially a bottle too.

Now I can sleep well knowing that someone else can take over feeding Baby V when the need arises.

Pros:

• Feeding lip allows baby to drink milk without much spillage
• Made of rather thick plastic — the cup can be reused even though its name says ‘disposable’

Cons:

• Needs a caregiver to feed baby from the cup
• No cover, so I store the cup in a mini Tupperware container

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1. Review: AVENT Magic Cup Soft Spout (For 6 Months +)
2. Review: Pigeon Disposable Breast Pads
3. Review: Semi-Cloth Diapering During Travel (Flip One-Size Disposable Inserts)

Baby V has been exclusively breastfed since birth; as a Stay-At-Home-Mum, I enjoy the convenience of direct feeding. I gave him a bottle-feed 1-2 times a week so that he would get used to the bottle teat. When I observed that he LOVED the bottle teat, complacency set in and I stopped offering him expressed breastmilk (EBM) for a while (he was 3 months 3 weeks old).

A month later, I gave him a bottle-feed and he totally rejected it! Panic set in and I quickly searched for an alternative, which was when I bought AVENT Magic Cup Soft Spout.

For the past month, I have been offering Baby V about 10ml of EBM almost daily using the Magic Cup. He neither rejects the spout nor drinks from it; he simply bites it (maybe treating it as a huge teether) and plays with it using his tougue. Hopefully, he will learn to drink from the cup soon.

Pros:

• Non-spill
• Colourful design attracts baby’s attention

Cons:

• The spout has a small part, which needs to be attached to it before use and detached for washing. This tiny piece can easily get lost during washing.

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Update on 27 May 2010:

Vee is now 15 months old and drinks well from open cups. I was curious if he could now sip from this cup. If he does, I could use it as his water bottle. I let him try the cup, yet he still does not sip from it. Guess this cup is fated to belong to the next baby.
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Get Your Own

AVENT Magic Cup Soft Spout is available in most major baby stores and departmental stores.

You may also check the price at Amazon.com here: Avent 7oz Magic Trainer Cup Twin Pack*

*: affiliate link to support the growth and maintenance of Mummy’s Reviews™

© 2009-2012 Veezian Pte. Ltd. | All rights reserved - This feed is provided for the convenience of Mummy's Reviews™ subscribers. If you like this post, you may share its link: Review: AVENT Magic Cup Soft Spout (For 6 Months +). Any reproduction of the content within this feed is strictly prohibited.

Related posts:

1. Review: Medela Disposable Baby Cup Feeder
2. Review: AVENT BPA-Free Feeding Bottles
3. Review: Steadycup® MAXI and Lid