• To further this, I do sometimes give him cow milk in a cup with his meal just so he can get used to it and he does fine. He also doesnt really seem to want bottles during the day anymore just at 1st thing in the morning and maybe at night.
  • Hi again. I hope things are well for you, at least a little more so. My son was put on cows milk at that age and he is perfectly normal. Never had any strange illnesses or rashes or anything. You can try weaning him by doing part formula and part milk. My son went straight to cows milk easily though. YOU know your child better then anyone else. If you think he is ready then try it. ************ Just to add on, I have read conflicting information regarding this cows milk v formula. I have read that formula is all crap designed to keep women from breastfeeding and spend their money; that it provides no more nutrients then cows milk. I have also read that formula or breast milk could and possibly should be continued beyond the year mark. They sell formula for children older then a year. Like I said, make up your own mind here.
  • All babies are different and I know that the Dr.s say not to give them whole milk before a year, but with my second son he was a good eater and I gradually started giving whole milk to him and he did well with it. I wouldn't be afraid to give a little bit at a time until you see how well he does with it.
  • 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.
  • I believe that this is a question best reserved for a pediatrician. that being said, I believe most pediatricians advise waiting until a year to switch to milk because formula provides a lot of essential vitamins and nutrients that are not present in milk. I, personally, would wait.
  • No. The reason for this is that cows milk can be hard to digest and can damage the stomach in young children. It is also possible that it would encourage digestive problems as your child gets older or into adult-hood. Encourage him to eat normal food, but stick to formula instead of cow milk for a while longer.
  • Just something to consider.... It's not natural for humans to drink cow's milk. Humans milk is for humans. Cow's milk is for calves. You have no more need of cow's milk than you do rats milk, horses milk or elephant's milk. Cow's milk is a high fat fluid exquisitely designed to turn a 65 lb baby calf into a 400 lb cow.
  • I was told by my kids' pediatrician "no milk before 12 months as they haven't yet built up the bacteria in their intestines to digest the lactose", and as well, still need the high amounts of iron in formula. After they begin drinking milk, do NOT give them skim or 1% or 2% milk. Pediatrician also told me to give them whole milk until at least age 2 because their brains need the fat for development.
  • Again, "they" say no, in my opinion and experience. yes, ask you mom or family member what they did when you were small, are you ok, thought so. I am healthy, my kids are healthy. My kids couldn't take formula or breast mild and fat free milk is all the could handle, and they still drink fat free. So all in all your kids will be fine and you will be too, and have more money, I might add. Good luck ;)
  • As a nurse I like to read the latest research out there about these issues. I found that the American Academy of Pediatricians recommends introduction of cow's milk at ONE year of age, and NOT 2%, but whole milk. Young children need more fat in their diet than adults. To address the answer by Anonymous, we know so much more now than we did when our mothers and grandmothers cared for us. To ignore the latest research and recommendations of some of the best Doctors in the country seems ill advised to me.

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