Whole Milk Before a Year Old?!?!?!? ** More Info--changes Made**

I started two of my kids at 10 months on organic whole milk. And then went to regular whole milk around 13/14 months (the cost factor). My ped recommended that to me and my kids seem fine.

Both my nephew and great nephew were weaned into 2% around 6 months of age. They both have done well my nephew is almost 2 and has done well

In my opinion, it is too early. If you want to start weening now, I would supplement with a milk based formula, to get his tummy ready for the milk transition. But I would deffinately use a cup instead of a bottle, it would be easier on you both in a few months. Good luck.

I think the longer you wait, the less likely it is that he will be allergic to it. Also, if you are breastfeeding, your child does not need cow's milk at all.

Here's a general article about why you should delay solids:
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/delay-solids.html

I agree with the other poster, you really shouldn't move him to whole milk only. If you want to wean him from breast feeding then I would switch him to formula. I know my ped is pretty strict to waiting until they are 12 mos. I am not positive but you could possibly predispose them to a milk allergy.

Not sure if this will help, good luck.

A.

Sounds to me like you are worried about it... so why not just give him formula til one year old? Then you don't need to worry, and can switch over at one year. That's what I did... breastfed til 10 months, bought and used formula for 2 months, then went to whole milk. I've never heard of giving whole milk before one year.

Good luck!

Honestly our pediatrician was very adamant about our son staying on formula until a year. She said that doctors were so concerned with people going off formula before a year they used to tell their patients no dairy before a year so that people would not do it. Now they say you can do dairy, but before a year babies really need all the nutrients in the formula. I would stick to it for month and a half more.

First of all I have a question. Are you weaning from breast feeding quickly, or do you plan on taking a few months? My daughter (12 months old & my 4th child) has been drinking whole milk for about 2 months now. I started her off on milk when she showed intrest in her older siblings sippy cups. Since I'm still nursing her, the milk is not her main source of nutrition.

If you're still breast feeding, giving her whole milk as a suppliment shouldn't hurt. At nine months I wouldn't take her off breast milk completely and straight to whole milk. According to everything I've read, She still needs the extra nutrients from the breast milk.

I have a friend who switched her baby to whole milk at 9 months and she developed a milk allergy and now has to drink soy milk! Who knows if that is the reason for her allergies but I would still be cautious.
I weaned my baby from nursing to formula for a few feedings a day when she was 9 months and she did great with it. Then we switched to whole milk at age 1 without a problem.
Good luck!

My first son was eating milk products around 6-8 months. My second son was eating from the table at 6 months because formula and breastmilk was not filling him up. He would eat all day with maybe an hour break in between.

I think it depends on your view of your child. If you child cannot digest it, this will be noticable right away. His poop will be very runny and a bit like diarrhea. He may vomit or be extremely gassy with an upset tummy. This is fairly rare to happen unless a milk allergy is identified.

You could try yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese slices, etc. If he can handle that, he can handle cow's milk in a cup.

Hi Lidsey,

My first daughter is getting ready to turn 11. When I took her in for her 10 month checkup she had already tripled her birth weight. Her doctor took her off of formula completley and put her on whole milk. She too was an early baby at almost a month early. She loved the whole milk, and had no ill effects from the switch. Just watch for any signs of tummy upset and you should be fine.

Maybe you can technically give a baby less than a year old cows milk without any serious side affects. However, why would you want to? Your breastmilk is specifically made for your baby. It's the best nutrition they can have! I've breastfed all of my (healthy) children and I even waited beyond a year to introduce cows milk.

I just took my daughter in for her 9 mo (9/10/07) visit last week and the doctor switched us to whole milk as well. It has been just fine on her stomach and she seems to like it better than formula. Our doctor checked her iron levels and said she didn't need the extra iron that the formula was giving so whole milk was a better choice.

Seems like it wouldn't hurt to be more cautious. Maybe try milk based formula or next step type. Target brand and walmart brand are great. Cost wise it ends up more expensive than milk, but not too bad. Then you know he is getting the nutrients he needs while making the transition. You could even take the next step formula and do 1/2 milk and 1/2 formula. Oooo, I think that would be good. Next step stuff has more nutrients in it. Mix it with milk so he gets used to the milk flavor. Then dropping down to just milk would be nothing. Mix it up in a big shaker container in the fridge so you don't even have to mess with it every time.

You could buy formula and give him that from a cup to start with. I think that is what I would do.

L., I"ve given my son who is 11 months old milk without any problem. He's been mostly breastfed, but we've included milk in a sippy cup, whole milk yogurt and some cottage cheese into his diet recently. He's been fine. I'd suggest trying once or twice. If he appears fine, continue...if he appears uncomfortable, stop and wait until a year.

When in doubt don't do it, especially when the doubt is caused by potential harm done to your baby. It's generally a good rule to follow. He really doesn't "need" the whole milk yet anyway and the breast is the best for him, even if he doesn't "need" it anymore either, it's still better then cow's milk. Given the choice between something you aren't sure about and something you are, go with what you know for sure.

Good luck.

I would stay away from the cows milk, and continue to breastfeed him. Breastmilk is what he needs more than anything - still, anything else is just extra.
Good luck to your family : )

Hi there! First I'd like to say, breastmilk is the best for your child. My son was born 8 weeks premature, so I understand how they are slower to develop. However, After breastfeeding, I did start my son on cow's milk at 11 1/2 months and he did not have a problem with it whatsoever. I only gave him milk though, no juice because it seemed like every time I gave my daughters juice, it would always give them a diaper rash no matter how diluted I made it and I was afraid for him to get all of the sugars. Sorry, I kindof got off track for a sec. LOL! But yes, My son did fine with cow's milk at 11 1/2 months with being 2 months premature andI think as long as your doctor has okay'd it, your baby should be fine. Just keep an eye on your child when he drinks it and if you notice any kind of problems, definitely notify your doctor.

I started milk early with both of my boys, 9yrs and 22mo. Both of them have done very well. I have learned a few things though that I would like to share. It seems that when a child does react to something in their diet, it will be at night. They will usually wake up within 2 hours of going to sleep for the night and be crying. If you hold him, he will release gas and go back to sleep. I discovered this with one of mine. He couldn't handle chocolate (poor kid). Anyway, the doc has told me that chocolate and milk are the most common foods that children will react to. You won't know unless you try though. My 9 yr old started milk very early. He is happy and healthy. My little athlete in fact. He's always on the go and he still loves milk. I'm very interested to see how things go with this if you wouldn't mind keeping me updated. Good luck to you, Shannon G.

I weaned all 4 of my girls to whole milk before a year. Formula was too expensive!!!! They all did great. It's important to stick with whole milk, before age 5 children need the fat including from butter, eggs, bacon.... Not so much the bread and potatoes/ carbs. Everything that that DRs tell adults to stay away from due to chlorestorel. It helps with mylenization (sp?). The coating of the nerves in the brain. It helps with brain, & cognitive development and the prevention of ceisures.

Cow milk is tough on baby's digestive system. I started feeding my son YoBaby yogurt at 10 months. Yogurt has the proteins broken down already and is easier to digest than milk. If you want to use a different type of milk, try rice milk but make sure that it is enriched with vitamins A and D. Soy milk has some of the same proteins as cow milk so it's also harder to digest. If you can wait to switch him, I would wait.

I did not breast feed with my son, but I put him on whole milk at 6 months. He got to the point where he wouldn't take his formula without spitting it out because he didn't like it, so I put him on milk. He did fine on whole milk. He didn't not have any trouble at all digesting it. Good Luck!

Hi L.,
Well it's been 18 years since my child was small. I did however give my daughter whole milk befrore she was a year old. Although my daughter was born 3 days late and with normal healthy birth wieght she was tiny. She only wieghed 12 lbs. at a year old. I started her on whole milk in her last bottle at night that had some cereal in it. This helped her sleep through the night but I was trying to put wieght on the child. I slowly started using milk with her vereal that she was spoon fed. Eventually she was drinking whole milk warmed and then a sippy cup. Before whole milk she got alot of gas on her belly and was cranky alot. The milk seemed to lessen that too. Sad to say no matter what Iv'e done she never put on the weight. I spent 18 years explaining to teachers and friends that she eats constantly and she isn't puking it up shes just thin. 19 years old 5'10" and 110lbs. She is gorgeous though and I'm grateful for 19 years of Joy! I hope Ihave helped some. Good luck.

Personally, my recomendation is to start with 2% milk and see how he does on it. I used 2% milk with my daughter and never switched to anything higher. Our family uses 2% for everything needing milk. I feel it's the best, at least for us.

My daughter had issues with severe constipation when she was pre 1. The doctor had us take her off of the forumla and put her on regular milk when she was about 9 months old. It helped with her constipation a little until she got older and then had to go off of milk completely because it constipated her. We had no problems with her when she was on regular milk. Good Luck.

I would use 2% milk instead of whole. It is a little easier for them to digest and there isn't as much butter fat in it.
My children both started on it about 9 months old.
Good Luck!!!

I would say wait.
Young children need full fat milk until they are two years old- why stop giving them people milk and replace it with cow's milk?
People milk is made specifically for growing babies/toddlers. It gives them a stronger immune system (they get some antibodies from your milk), and has the perfect amount, and right kind, of fat for them. The longer they get it, the better.
I'm a believer in breastfeeding until a child is at least 2yo, as long as both mother and child are agreeable to that.

Other than that, I think I probably gave ds cow's milk before he was 1yo. I didn't totally wean until he was older than 2yo.

My pediatrician said NO cows milk before a year. My first daughter was also born 6 weeks early. And I trust my pediatrician whole heartedly. Around nine months, my first daughter got sick and wouldn't eat anything. My doctor said to try some vanilla ice cream. She commented that my daughter was a little young for it, but a little bit would not hurt her. So I do not know about giving whole milk to her every day, however, if you talk to your mother, I'll bet she was giving you milk by the time you were a couple of months old and you turned out just fine. Go with your gut feeling! Also, a side note, I believe the doctors tell you not to give your kids certain foods before a particular age for a reason. For example, peanut butter. Well, when my 18 month old was only 9 months, she grabbed some of my other daughter's peanut butter and jelly sandwich and ate it. She had an anaphylactic reaction and was life flighted to the hospital. Everything turned out okay, thank God, but it could have been much worse. Needless-to-say, I followed all age recommendations for other foods.

If breastfeeding is working for you and there is no other reason to switch to cow's milk other than your Doctor thinks its "time" to do it, go with your gut instinct - forget about the cow's milk for now and pump your breastmilk. Why spend the extra money buying cow's milk if it is not medically necessary? It's been really expensive lately (not as bad as formula or soy milk though).

If you are ready to dry up your breast milk, then your doctor has probably given you solid advice. Look at how many people who are now in their 70's+ that were given cow's milk from day one because there was no such thing as formula? Obviously we've made modern advances and should take advantage of them, but the method your doctor mentions does not sound uncommon. However, if you think your baby will be better prepared in a month or so, then do what you feel is best for your baby.

Good luck!

Hey L.!
You have received a ton of responses!! I know everyone on here has said something different, but I think you should do what your mommy gut says. My dr. just said to wait until K was a year for the milk. BUT, you do what you think is best! Talk to you soon!
A.

My son is also 9 months old, born 9/11/07. My doctor also stated could put him on whole milk. I started that weekend after his appointment. He did great. My doctor said once he goes to milk he won't want formula and he didn't. Go for the whole milk, it is wonderful!!!

My son was formula fed for most of his now 9 months. I was thinking about switching him to whole milk (the formula does not fill him up any more) but I had some concern as to whether he could handle it or not. Some other moms suggested I switch to 'Next Step Lipil' formula before I put him on cow milk. It is suppose to transition the baby from regular formula and/or breast milk to cows milk. So far it is working great. He loves it.

Hi Lindsay, with both of my daughters I started giving them up to 2 4oz bottles a day or sometimes about 5 total for a week at 6 months. I made sure that they still got formula also though, I didnt switch them totally until about 11 months. They were getting all of their nutrients thru solid foods and then some. I truly believe that as long as you dont have any bowel issues (constipation) with her that it isnt going to hurt. It will also make the transition a lot easier when the time comes. She will have already tasted it and it will not be as much of a shock taste wise. Good luck!

Cow's milk should not be introduced until 12 months of age not only because of allergies, but also because it is difficult for a young child to digest. Actually, it's not that easy for anyone to digest, but it's even harder on a little system.

God bless,
A.

Wow! That is really surprising to me. I breastfed my daughter for 10 months (when I started not to produce alot of breastmilk anymore). Anyway, when I went to the doctor he was adamant that I use formula until she was a year. Now I cheated a bit and only used formula for about a month and then started gving whole milk at 11 months, only because a friend of mine did the same with her son at 11 months. The doctor explained to me that my daughter still needed all of the extra nutrients provided in breastmilk and/or formula. My daughter is now 3 so it wasn't all that long ago. I also think it is a matter of opinion from different doctors. I think you should do what you feel comfortable with. Mommies gut reactions are always right, so keep that in mind! If you think he is too young, maybe you should wait on the whole milk.

Hi L.-
I woud take this advice like this.... You are his Mother and if you do not feel comfortable giving him whole milk before he is 13 months old - don't. I would give him formula personally. I would take the pediatricians advice like this.... if I was out of formula, at my in-laws house and no formula avaiable until my husband got back from the store, one cup of while milk to stave off hunger won't hurt my baby. So have peace of mind that you CAN give your baby whole milk in case of emergency and give him formula until he is 1 year ( or 13.5 months) old. You are the Mom, your instincts about your own child are often right.

Your baby - and no human - needs cow's milk. I'm just learning this. I would breastfeed as long as possible. When you want/need to wean, then I would switch him to Rice milk.

No donot give your baby whole milk before 1 yr.of age.I AM A MOTHER OF 5 GROWN CHILDREN AND GRANDMA OF 13.
JUST BECAUSE ONE DOCTOR TOLD YOU TO,DONT MAKE IT TRUE.
I HAVE BEEN TO SO MANY DOCTORS, ONE SAYES SOMETHING THE OTHER SAYES SOMETHING ELSE.IF I WAS YOU I WOULD GET ON LINE AND CHECK OUT BABY SITES LIKE GERBER FOR ONE.THERE IS SEVERAL.
ALSO CALL TWO MORE DOCTORS AND SEE WHAT THEY SAY.GOOD-LUCK AND GOD BLESS YOU AND THE BABIES.

Honestly, I wouldn't wean before 18 months, especially if your baby was a preemie. Cow's milk just isn't as good as mother's breastmilk, and your breastmilk is FREE! :) Unless you're really sick of breastfeeding, I'd just keep at it for a few more months - that will just be a TINY blip on the radar of his whole life, but the benefits of his receiving breastmilk for 6 months longer WILL stay with him is whole life. Just one perspective... take it if it works, ignore it if it doesn't interest you! :)

One cup of whole milk a day will not hurt him in any way. I started all 3 of my children on whole milk before they turned one and all of them did great from it and had no problems. Two out of the 3 actually had very sensitive stomachs and I was really nervous about switching them, but it was actually better for them. They didn't have as much sensitivity to the whole milk as they did the breast milk or the formula. Now they have no sensitivity at all and they are 2 & 4. The doctor isn't going to tell you something if they think it could be harmful in any way, but always follow your gut b/c a mother's instinct is always the best. Good luck to you and your little guy!!

My first baby wasn't premature, so I understand your concern, and she was a bit older than 9 mos when weaned off the breast...

I first tried replacing an evening feeding w/ formula and she HATED that, so at around 11 mos the dr said OK to whole milk, and my daughter did fine.

When my twins started whole milk, my daughter did well but her twin brother experienced diarrhea so I gave him soy for awhile.

I'd say go ahead and try it, but monitor him for any tummy changes. Good luck!

K.

You switch your son to milk when YOU are ready to. You don't have to do *everything* the docs tell you to do. :)Cow's milk isn't all that great for us ne way. Give him Rice Milk. My girls, 17 and 13, and I drink Rice Milk now. Yes, a little expensive, but better for us in the long run.