Cow's Milk

I have always heard never to give them cow's milk before 1 year--especially while nursing. At this point maybe you should listen to the doc--but if you feel it's the right thing to do for your child, then go for it! Good Luck!

Honestly? I'd go for health.

Not ALL baby's react to cow's milk the same, but general concensus is "do not give ANYTHING out of the norm for the first one to two years of a child's life" and that is due to severe allergies that can develop.

I'd go for what makes my baby healthy, and then I'd pray for the best.. but that's just me.

I bet you get GRILLED for this question! Prepare yourself!!

I started giving my daughter cow's milk at 10 months. She loved it. I really think that as long as your baby is not very small or finiky...go for it. Tell the doctor you are doing it...My MIL gave my husband goat milk from the time he has 3 months old. I am not saying that is the thing to do, but I believe whatever works for you! Good Luck!

K.,
Have you tired mixing formula and regular milk, say half and half? If she has had no problems, keep doing the milk. The doctor is there for your guidance, but you are the mom.
L.

I really think that 8 months is too young to be giving your daughter cow's milk. There are issues that can arise from that because the babies have a hard time digesting the cow's milk. Even a cow's milk based formula is broken down so that the baby can more easily digest it. I would try Carnation Good Start formula. That is the only formula that my son would take when I supplemented in mursing him. It does not have as strong an ordor or taste. I would also use the powdered formula rather that the ready to feed or concentrate. It is more the texture of breast milk. Now, having said that, I will admit that my son did start taking whole cow's milk at 10.5 months. However, I was still breastfeeding as well. The cow's milk was a supplement of sorts.

Others have mentioned using less than whole milk. I would defininitely advise against that. The fat in whole milk is necessary for proper brain development. So, if you are going to use cow's milk, please use whole milk. You are going to do what you feel is best for your daughter, that is a given. Since you asked for advice/opinions, I do not think you should be giving whole milk at this age. I do not even think I should have given whole milk at 10 months. Remember, also, that the earlier something is introduced, the more the likelihood of allergies developing.

Good luck to you.

I am really concerned over the other responses telling you it's ok for infants to drink cow's milk. Cow's milk is not for growing infants. Your baby may not be allergic to milk, but that is not the greatest concern. Why do you think formula was invented for infants? Milk is certainly cheaper than formula, so why spend so much money on formula. Because it is what infants need to grow up healthy. What the child likes isn't the point. Children like candy, but it doesn't help them live and grow. Your child probably won't die because you feed her milk, but you are not giving her the best nutrition. She needs breastmilk or formula for proper brain development. Please tell your Dr. what you are doing and ask them to explain why they say "No cows milk".

Below was copied and pasted from Medline Plus.

Cow's milk is not recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for children under 1 year old. Infants fed whole cow's milk don't get enough vitamin E, iron, and essential fatty acids. They also get too much protein, sodium, and potassium. These levels may be too high for the infant's system to handle. Also, whole cow's milk protein and fat are more difficult for an infant to digest and absorb.

Cow's milk can have dramatic effects on the infant's iron levels. Infants fed breast milk or iron-fortified formula have normal iron levels. Studies show infants often have low iron levels when started on cow's milk at 6 months of age.

For the best infant nutrition, pick the right milk source and eventually introduce the infant to solid foods. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants be fed breast milk or iron-fortified formula during the first 12 months of life. Between ages 4 - 6 months, certain solid foods may be added. Breast milk or iron-fortified formula, along with age-appropriate solid foods and juices during the first year of life, provides more balanced nutrition.

Skim or 2% milk:

Under 1 year of age, skim and 2% (low-fat) milk have no place in the diet. They supply too much protein, potassium, and sodium and not enough calories for the growing infant. Children also need the fat for proper growth and development, including brain development.

Low-fat milk is not the answer for an overweight baby. The best diet is the same as that of a normal weight infant; the only difference is in the amount. Talk to a registered dietitian or doctor about your child's diet. Slightly reducing calories will allow the infant to "grow into his weight" without a rapid change in body fat. Rapid weight loss can be dangerous, particularly in a small child. Reducing fat too much might not leave enough energy stores for the infant to fight a serious illness. Many doctors question the serious, unknown consequences of a rapid loss of fat.

Suggested Intake - Infants:

Breast Milk:
Every 1-3 hrs for infants 0-3 months
Every 2-4 hrs for infants 4-5 months
Every 3-4 hrs for infants 6-8 months
Every 4-5 hrs for infants 9-12 months
Iron-fortified Formula (per day):
18-40 oz. for infants 0-3 months
24-45 oz. for infants 4-5 months
24-37 oz. for infants 6-8 months
24-31 oz. for infants 9-12 months
Dairy:
None for infants 0-3 months
None for infants 4-5 months
None for infants 6-8 months
Small servings for infants 9-12 months
16-20 oz. whole milk for toddlers 1-2 years
Suggested intake - children 2 - 5 years:
Cow's milk
6 servings/day
1 serving equals:
1/2 cup milk, yogurt, pudding
3/4 oz. cheese
1 cup cottage cheese
Suggested intake - teens and adults (the equivalent of one of the following is recommended):

Milk/yogurt (1 cup)
3-4 servings/day
1 1/2 oz. natural cheese
2-3 servings/day
2 oz. processed cheese
4 servings/day

I would try goats milk, when I have had to stop nursing (I had to stop at 5 mo for may daughter) I went straight to raw goats milk, no formula at all. It is very healthy and they love it. It is easier to digest than cows milk because the fat and protein molocules are smaller. They also say that goats milk is closer to our milk than cows.

If the cow's milk is what she likes then give it to her. Also include extra water and a bit of juice. My daughter was breastfeed and when weaned she didn't want any formula and we wound up going to powdered milk because it was the same consistency of the breast milk. Do what you feel is right after all it is YOUR child. Doctors can give generatlities but it is you who is the mother. If whole milk is something you don't want you child to drink, try the 2%. My mom told me when I was 6 months old they were out at a function and my formula spoiled and they were able to get me some cows milk. That night I would not take my fomula and my dad went all over town until he found a place that had cows milk and that's what I drank and still do. My milk was when the cream was on the top in glass bottles.

continue wat your doing if shes fine.tell the doc your the mother and will do wat you think is right.

I would give her cows milk. My daughter was like that, and really I can't blame her because formula is nasty and once they find that out there is no stopping them. You can't force your baby to drink it. My daughter was 7 months and she is heathly, smart and beautiful. Do what you think is right. "Mother Knows Best"