Switching from Formula to Cows Milk Soon

I've heard great things about goat's milk, and plan on introducing it to my son around 11-12 months. It's supposed to be the closest thing to human milk.

Here's just a little information about it, but there's tons out there.
http://askdrsears.com/html/3/t032400.asp

Good luck!

Editing to add that yes, goat's milk is expensive, but I can find it easily at my local walmart, so I assume you can get it just about anywhere.

Babies under age 2 need the fat in whole milk for brain cell development. A very important thing to develop!!

Human bodies can't process soy, so stay away from that.

Goats milk is easiest on babies tummies, but by a year old, I think whole cows milk is fine. Whole because toddlers need the fat out of it. But it's also the healthiest for adults, you just have to not have too much because it is pretty fatty. It's best for them to do organic, organic is the best tasting that we've found. My husband and I enjoy it so much that we've gotten over the price because it tastes so much better. Horizon Organic is a great one, but Costco sells Kirkland Brand Organic Whole Milk in a 3 - 1/2 gallon pack which is a great value because the expiration is a month out or so. We go through that in about a week and a half though.

Don't forget that being "ok" doesn't mean it would be good to do...!
Having said that, goat's milk is closer to human breastmilk than cow's milk.
Raw goat's milk is available in our area, as is raw cow's milk if you decide that's the way to go. Raw milk is much more nutritious than pasteurized, way less likely to contribute to allergies, and just as safe as (if not safer than) pasteruized milk if it is purchased fresh from the farm. http://www.realmilk.com/where5.html#tx can help...

HTH!

PLEASE do not give your child cow's milk that you buy at the grocery store. If you want to give them cow's milk, get raw milk. Depending on where you are getting it will be hard because you have to get it straight from the farm. Go to www.realmilk.com to find a farm near you. But, if you want an economical and safer choice, get Meyenberg goat milk. You can get it online at www.meyenberg.com or at Vitamin Shoppe or Whole Foods for the powdered and I know Tom Thumb has the fresh in the carton right in the dairy isle. At 11 months most likely they are eating other foods, so supplementing additional carbs isn't necessary. Just pour them a glass of the fresh from the carton (full fat one) or follow directions to make whole milk from the powdered. Soy is also an extremely bad choice for anyone, especially children. Do some research: www.mercola.com for more info. Just put soy in search at the top of the website and have at it (please use the same search for info about pasteurized and homogenized milk--you'll be shocked!). Almond and rice are good in a pinch, but shouldn't be used in place of the goat's milk. It just doesn't have enough protein. But, they make a good treat and rice milk can be used as a substitute for milk in baking (so can goat). I know it can be over-whelming, but I've pointed you in a couple of directions to get your research going. I find that instead of telling you all of the problems with cow's milk and soy that you will be more inclined to make the best decision as a mom for your children if you do the research yourself. Don't take my word for it--look at the data for yourself. God Bless. If you need more help, please don't hesitate to email me directly at ____@____.com

Regular whole milk. Some posters have mentioned using organic; if you can afford it, by all means do so. But most of the big grocery stores have moved away from selling milk that came from cows that have been given growth hormones. All Kroger milk is fine and Wal-mart switched theirs in September. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23743749/ http://www.greenrightnow.com/wfaa/2008/02/28/got-rbst-fre... Braums and CVS also sell milk that doesn't have the growth hormone. Whole milk is recommended until 2 years old then you can switch to 2%.
Some people switch cold turkey and have no problems. Others have given a mix of formula or breast milk with the whole milk for a few weeks giving more and more whole milk every couple of days until they are no longer using formula at all. That's what I did and my daughter never even noticed. This is also a good time to switch to the sippy cup if you haven't already done so. Good luck, this switch makes things a little easier and so far, the 1 year old stage has been my favorite!

I also have twin girls (they are 6 now), and I nursed them until they were 18 months. So they were not getting a great deal of milk over and above Mommy's. I also gave them Pediasure for added nutrients. It is a little expensive, but the Walmart brand is just as good as the name brand. My girls loved the strawberry.

Cow's milk is by far the cheapest option. I always get our milk from Braum's. They raise their own cows, and feed them only a vegetarian diet. Most importantly though, is that they do not inject their cows with rBGH. Here is some info about rBGH in case you are unfamiliar with the effects of hormone injections.

rBGH (recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone), is a genetically engineered (GE) potent variant of the natural growth hormone produced by cows. Manufactured by Monsanto, it is sold to dairy farmers under the trade name POSILAC. Injection of this GE hormone forces cows to increase their milk production by about 10%. Monsanto and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) insist that rBGH milk is indistinguishable from natural milk and safe to cows and consumers. However:

* rBGH makes cows sick. Monsanto has been forced to admit to about 20 veterinary health risks on its Posilac label including mastitis and udder inflammation.
* rBGH milk is contaminated by pus from mastitis induced by rBGH, and antibiotics used to treat the mastitis.
* rBGH milk is contaminated by the GE hormone which can be absorbed through the gut and induce immunological effects.
* rBGH milk is chemically and nutritionally very different from natural milk.
* rBGH milk is supercharged with high levels of a natural growth factor (IGF-1), excess levels of which have been incriminated as major causes of breast, colon, and prostate cancers.
* rBGH factory farms pose a major threat to the viability of small dairy farms. Thus, rBGH
enriches Monsanto while posing risks but no benefits to the entire U.S. population.
The Leading Edge Research On-Line Data has more researched documents on Genetically Engineered Products and Hormones on Animals for Human Consumption
The health hazards to animals, the detriment to small farms, the cover-up in Monsanto, all the negatives attached to rGBH are in no way balanced by any benefits of increased milk production in view of the national surplus.

They need cow's whole milk, not any reduced fat ones. You can start those at age 2. Also, if you can, get organic. it is always listed as one of the organic food items that is worth paying more for. I get it at central market which is the cheapest.

Go for regular cow milk purchased at the store. Think of the tens of thousands of people that ingest cow's milk and are healthy as a lark.

I use nothing but 100% organic cow's milk.

I just switched from breast to cow's milk and my baby isn't handling it well. The pedi. told us to switch to soy. Almond is bad, I've heard b/c of the potential for nut allergies. Most babies handle cow's milk fine though and it's alot cheaper.
I've been adding a scoop of Enfamil next step into her cow's milk for added nutrients.

I just went to a children's health seminar and learned that goat's milk is the best and most nutritious.

I agree with the other moms'. If your dg is not allergic to cow's milk then go with organic cow's milk. I read a parenting article if you change just one thing that has the most impact this would be it. Giving your kids organic whole cow's milk which carries significantly nutrients and antioxidants for growing kids 0-3 years old. Kids needs the fat in whole milk.

Hi Priscilla,
My sister's name is Priscilla. Anywho we gave out kids rice milk after they were a year old, after talking to our Dr. It has the vitamins thats in normal cows milk except it has less fat. It's healthy and the dr, said it was a good, healthy choice. Also we gave them goat milk, fresh not canned. It's pretty good. From Kroger. Cows milk causes mucus. So many times it'll cause kids to have runny noses and boogers all the time. So for a while we didn't even have cheese, except goat cheese. Hope this helps.

Usually Whole milk is fine... I kept my toddler on formula until about 18 months then half milk and half formula from about 18-20 months them all whole milk after that... now my youngest of 3 is 2 and he drinks reduced fat milk...

HTH
A. J

Hi Priscilla,

I am actually about to go through the same thing with my daughter. Her pedi told me not to make the transition until she is about 11 1/2 months. Which is about now. She turns one 10-23. They said to use whole milk, but not the regular kind at the grocery store. They mentioned either whole milk that is organic or whole milk from Braum's. These are the ones that they same have no hormones in them. Hope this helps.
Kiki

i would start transitioning between now & 11months, to whole cows milk. i would just start with 2oz a day & then increase every 5-7 days. making sure their bodies are handling it well, then if not you can try another milk, but plus if you do it slower then they will not have so many problems either.

Hi Priscilla,

Whoa. You're getting a ton of information! Good for you.

I have three girls and am particularly concerned about their hormone intake as well as my pocketbook! My eldest does fine with organic cow's milk. My middle can't tolerate it so she gets Soy (although we're going to try Rice since there are hormone issues even with soy). My youngest gets organic whole cow's milk. Realistically speaking, you're going to end up buying what's at the store you typically go to. When you have sick kids at home and you're out of milk, you're probably not going to go out of your way to find milk from a farmer! (Although it would be nice)

Here's a link to drive home the point about hormones:
http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/general/milk.htm

I'm assuming since they're twins they take bottles occasionally. When you go to give them a bottle, simply replace 2oz. of whatever they drink with cow's milk or whatever you're going to use and then the rest of what they are used to (formula or breastmilk). Increase the ratio slowly. Gradually you'll get to the point where you'll have easily switched.

Good luck!

I wouldn't try almond milk with them so young- a nut allergy is VERY dangerous. I wouldn't do rice milk unless they eat LOTS of protein in the rest of their diet because it's very low protein (so is almond milk). Soy milk is high protein, but ped's warn not to give more than 2 servings a day because the progestron levels can affect sexual development (besides it tastes funny if you ask me).Goat's milk has a little less lactose and is otherwise similar to cow's milk (but if you choose this be sure you give them folic acid supplements because they won't be getting much from goat's milk like they would with cow's).

I went to whole cow's milk. It was easy. Also, a lot of children have nut allergies, so you might want to be careful about almond milk. A lot of soy milks have a lot of added sugar and other ingredients and goat's milk is expensive and hard to find.

If they are not alergic , any milk will be fine.

HI...I started mixing my son's formula with little bit of milk ..about 25% for a week, then 2nd week 50%, then 3rd week 75% and by 1 year he was completely on milk alone.
i started giving him cold formula at 9 months...
because i wasn't going to warm milk in sippy.
i chose whole milk...cows milk because he had no allergies.
my daughter will be weaned the same way.

If you are not ready don't switch. Go to formula. If you do choose milk, make sure it is hormone free.

i started my son on 2% milk when he was 10 months old. he's never had a problem with it. my husband and i drink whole milk but i didn't want my son to get all that extra fat so he's on the 2%. just make sure you get the name brand, i.e., schepps, boarden, oak farms. that way it doesn't have any growth hormones in it.

As long as he/she isn't allergic to cows milk that's more than likely the pedi. wants you to use.

If you there are no allergies go for cow's milk but go organic if you can. They may not like it at first. You can mix it with some of whatever they are currently drinking or try with something else they like. I had a friend who mixed it with chocolate milk and then decreased the chocolate until it was only regular milk.

Also, when we switched from formula to milk we only put the milk in a sippy cup. The bottle went away with the formula. It worked really well for us.

Looks like you got a lot of good advice. I switched our son at 11 months. Our Pediatrician said try giving him a bottle and see how he does. He didn't have any allergies or anything like that. I even asked him, "Shouldn't we mix the milk in with the formula?" He said no, just give him a bottle and see how he does. If he has some issues, we will back up and slow it down. He loved it. Especially really really cold. He told us Whole Milk was what we should be buying. We buy the Target brand. Also, our daycare only gives the kids whole milk until they are in the 3 year old room. He has had no issues and is now 15 months old. Good luck to you...

Pricillia,

My Dr said that when our son gets to his 1 yr birthday to put him on regular 2% cows milk since he has had no issues with regular formula. Normally if they baby has an issue with regular formula and you have had to use soy or organic or anything differnt than I'd go with soy, but otherwise still with regular cow;s milk that we drink as adults since that is what your girls will get when they go to a restruant or when they start school. Good luck,

K.

Probably whole milk until another month then switch to 2% but if your child is skinny I would keep them on whole milk because it has more fat in it. If your child is on the fat side by all means 2% as long as it reads Wic approved and has vitamin A& B in it. G. W

Goat's milk is so good for you. It tastes terrible, but my daughter drank it because she didn't know any different and din't think it tasted bad. She stopped drinking it right before she turned 2....decided she didn't think it tasted so great. However, she is funny about foods...likes it today, yucky tomorrow, yummy the next day.
It is easier on their tummies. Please don't do soy. Check into the link between serious health problems and soy.

Funny that your pedi told you it's OK to transition but then didn't provide you any guidance on what to transition to!

Anyway, whole cow's milk is usually the way to go, assuming that you've either been feeding your girls regular formula (vs. soy or lactose free) or breastfeeding. But don't be surprised if they initially reject it. If that happens, then try a gradual approach -- 3 parts formula/breastmilk and 1 part whole milk for a week, then half and half for week two . . . you get the picture. And don't be surprised when their BMs change!

Hi Priscilla,

I'm also a mom to 5+ month twin boys. The soy milk is not good - actually anything soy isn't good. I'm sending you a link from Dr. Mercola's website so I pray that you find what you're looking for.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/1...

I did not switch my daughter till she was a yr. old and then my pedi told me to swith her to vitamin D, i did but it consipated her so much that i put her on 2 % milk. I would go with whatever your doctor says then if your mom is around ask her, mom's knows best, lol. AS for the other stuff , I don't know much about it and the only time they put a child on goats milk is if they are allergic to cow's milk. But that is what I would do.

Hi Priscilla,

Our Pediatrician said that it's actually best to do a mixture of the milk proteins. We started off with soy because our daughter had shown signs of a milk protein allergy earlier, but she did fine when we started cow's milk. We still trade of soy and regular. We use Horizon brand whole milk, because it's organic and has none of the hormones in it. They also sell these milk singles (like a juice box) - they have them at Starbucks - that come in flavors like vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. Emma LOVES these! They are a special treat when mommy & daddy get a latte at Starbucks! :-)

Anyway, I would just introduce it a little at a time to be able to observe how their little tummies handles it. But they should be fine, and love their new milk choices!

Good Luck!
S.

I looked into the same thing when my daughter switched to milk. I didn't consider goat's milk, so I can't advise you on that. If your child is not lactose intolerant, I would go with organic whole cow's milk, because it has the most nutrients by far.

usually it's cow milk,I'm not an organic freck but I did but organic milk.

Cow's milk. But I actually buy Horizon organic milk even though it's a bit more expensive.

I edited my response after seeing another poster suggest switching to 2% in a month. Children should not have 2% until they are at least 2 and then really only if they are overweight. Babies and children need the fat in whole milk for many reasons - at least one being brain development.

I personally wouldn't be in a hurry to make the transition this early, is there any way you can wait a while longer. The best thing for baby is still moms milk or formula designed for growing babies.

The problem with almond and rice milk is that they do not have the fats and cholesterol found in cow's, goat's, or human milk that babies really need up until age 2 or 3. In that sense, they should be thought of as "almond juice" or "rice juice" because they are not really milk.

I would stay away from soy and try to find whole cows or goats milk if you can, or at least use organic milk.

I just gave my son the cow's milk to try first and he seemed to like it and does really great on that! You could try the cows milk first and see how they do and if they don't do well, try other kinds! HTH!

If you decide to go with cows milk, go with whole milk from Brahms's if possible. It is the best quality, with fewest hormones, and it is cheaper than most grocery stores! This info. comes from a friend that works for the government testing milk. I only buy Brahm's milk for all of my kids. I don't know your kids and their weight, but most toddlers need the fat in whole milk until 2 years old. Good luck!

My ped, Dr. David Goff, advises making the switch from formula to WHOLE cow's milk at one year. The biggest problem may be the taste. I have a baby who just turned one year on Oct. 10th (and an 8 year old as well) and we are making regular bottles or sippy cups but substituting 2 oz. of milk. We will eventually increase the amount until we wean him off the formula. This took about 2-3 months with my first son.

Children should not get 2% until they are at least 2 years old, and then only if there is a weight issue. In fact, most kids need whole milk until 6. We have to remember that these kids have way more energy than we do!

Dr. Goff also said that 95% of the benefits of breast milk are in the first 4 months of life. This doesn't mean that we shouldn't try to breastfeed longer, but at a year old you shouldn't be scrounging around, spending lots of money trying to find something that is closest to breast milk. ANd the "next step" formulas are just the formula companies' way of keeping you as a customer after the first year.