Milk Dilemma - PLEASE HELP!

Question

Help - My nearly 11 month old hates formula milk. I have had this problem with her for over 4 months and have managed to force feed her!!! but now she is older and wiser (LOL) and just clamps her mouth shut. For the last 2 nights i have given her cows milk and she has happily drank it, i am at my wits end as i know you are not meant to give cows milk till they are 1 year old. My health Visitor said not to worry as it is better she gets the milk and as she is only 5 weeks away from being 1 to carry on as i am. I give her formula milk in her cereal in the morning and she takes that, its just her night time drink that she refuses if its formula.

Has anyone else given their LO cows milk before 1? I feel its more important that she has some milk than no milk. Please advise.

Please don't respond to the question if you are going to tell me that it is bad to give cows milk before 12 months as I have spent hours tallking/reading/thinking about before i actually gave it to her.

Answer 1

I would say that they is nothing wrong with giving her cows milk b4 1 year, just as long as she doesn't have any allergies or reactions.  Cows milk I would think is more natural than formula and 5 weeks won't make any difference.  Cheers

Answer 2

As I'm sure you are aware - 12 months is not a magical age, it's just a suggested guideline.  My pediatrician okayed cow's milk for my daughter at 11 months because she was breastfed but I needed to get her used to drink out of a bottle/sippy cup.  Continue with the cow's milk.  Your daughter is fine.  

Answer 3

Here in Canada they recommend introducing cows milk between the ages of 9 months - 1 year. So there is no harm in having her drink real milk instead.  

Answer 4

Make sure she is getting enough iron. You may want to take her to the Dr. and get them to check her iron

Answer 5

I thin she is fine. If you want to help with digestion, because cow's milk can be a little harsh on her stomach and intestines try doing half CM and half formula, if she doesn't like it then maybe a quarter formula and 3/4 CM.

If she doesn't like it then don't worry about it. YOu are right. CM is better than nothing. :)

Answer 6

Relax! I've had 3 kids and all have had cows milk before age 1. Infact I started mixing it with formula at about 10 months to get them used to it. Try that, mix like 6 oz of formula and 2 oz of milk. Then increase till she's getting all whole milk. Or you could just give up adn give her the cows milk. Its' not going to hurt her at all! If you're really worried about it try soy milk. I can't stand it but my lil ones love it. She'll be fine

Answer 7

I have had my daughter on cows milk since 6 months in her farex.  She still has formula bottles but cows milk in breakfast and for her nighttime bottle.  She is 15 months.  

Don't worry about it.  You are her mother you know what is best.  Not some nurse who doesn't have kids, or are that old they can't remember what it is like having a baby.  (my experience only)

Answer 8

You are still giving her formula in the cereal so it is not a total replacement, more of an addition to.  If the Dr, is OK with it then you should be too.  I think that you have a smart girl to know that there are better tasting things out there.

Answer 9

My son refused to drink formula after he was 9 months old. Like you I worried and tried to get him to drink it. My doctor told me to give him cows milk or goats milk. goats milk is much like formula and can be given at a much younger age. I would be more cautious if your child has alergies to foods, starting at a small amount, then checking for a rash within the next 24 hours. usually shows on face or stomach. If no rash it will not hurt.

Answer 10

it's perfectly fine to give her cow's milk.

if you find that she is having any trouble with digesting the milk, try goats milk, it's much easier on their little tummies. and then wean onto cows milk in a few months.

Answer 11

It's perfectly fine for her to have cows milk. Usually by 11-12 months, most babies are moving away from formula and into milk and other foods anyway. My son's doctor said it was okay for me to start introducing cows milk to him around 10 months of age. I think the only reason some people say to wait longer is because some babies can have difficulty digesting the cows milk. But if your daughter is showing no problems with digesting it, then give her all the milk she wants. =)  

Answer 12

My daughter is 11 months old and exactly the same! i am trying to wean her off breastmilk and having such a hard time with it! I've found a readymade baby milk what she will drink but its expensive to buy it like that, and i think she see's formula milk as a subsitute for the breast, whereas she see's the ready made baby milk as a drink. I dont know how she can tell the difference but i guess baby just know haha, well i assume its because i feed the formula milk to her warm. and she will just try avoid the cup and she will pull at my top.

'Cow & Gate Babymilk Step Up Ready Made'   thats the name of it, it comes in like a carton. Dont know if it will help, but i hope you find something to help :) good luck x x  

Answer 13

Have you tried half formula half milk?

Have you tried adding a small amount of vanilla or unsweetened cocoa to the formula?

Have you tried a "next step" formula for babies 6-24 months which are generally sweeter?

If you can only give cow's milk be sure to limit it to 16-24 oz per day to limit the risks of anemia.  And make sure that all the other foods you offer are nutrient dense.  You might consider adding a vitamin drop but I would very strongly recommend looking into organic and making sure it doesn't contain peanut oil, excess vitamin A or excessive amounts of any nutrient (if it says 100% of the RDA that is 100% of the amount for an adult man eating 2000 calories per day, that's way to much for a kid.  But people like to see 100% so drug companies put that much in)

Answer 14

My pediatrician said that if it is a couple of weeks before the first birthday, you can start on cow's milk.  I don't think that 5 weeks away is too early to start, especially if she isn't taking the formula.  Just make sure that she is eating foods with a lot of nutrients that she would be getting from the formula.  The reason they say not to start until the 1st b-day is for allergies but also because by the time they are 1, they should be eating more substantial foods and are getting nutrients in other ways besides formula.

http://1sttimeparents-whatdowedonow.blog...