Help pls, how can I get my 11mth old to drink milk (not breast milk)?

[a&nmama]

I have an 11 mth old boy that is breast fed. Unfortunately I cannot express milk and I've tried formula, soy and cows milk in a bottle and cup but he refuses to drink it. He does take water from a cup but does not seem to like anything else. I am back at work now and am wary that he is not getting enough milk (3 feeds a day). I need to start weaning him off the breast but cannot seem to get him onto other milk (I also know that cow's milk should be given from 12 mths only).
Any advice please???

[drewid]

Hi

I could never express and my son never liked formula, soy or cows milk, although he will drink water all day long if I let him.

I have been offering him cows milk every few days or so before his lunch time breastfeed, just to get him used to the idea of drinking cold milk. He usually spat it straight back out, but a few days ago, he actually drank it and came back for more :) I was surprised to say the least.

He is still having 3 breastfeeds a day, and now has an inch or so of cows milk before the lunch feed as part of his routine. I'm hoping to slowly up the cows milk to the point where he doesn't want his lunchtime breastfeed anymore. *fingers crossed*

I wouldn't worry that 3 feeds isn't enough milk - it was and is plenty for my son, who has been on 3 feeds since about 10 1/2 months.

My advice, just keeping offering...eventually it may take. In the meantime, just be sure to include some yoghurt and cheese in his diet, and theres your calcium intake :)

[a&nmama]

thanks so much Nicole. hopefully persistence will pay off as it does with most things!!!

[jarrahsmumma]

another mummy i know, had to go back to work when bub was still having three feeds a day, he would not take anything but boob...so he would just wait til mum came at lunch time them chow down.

can you feed bub at daycare (is it close to work??)

just persist with the water in a cup. IMO stay away from cows milk, try rice milk it is the most similar in texture to BM

[charlach]

Have you tried gradually adding cows milk to your express milk? Then you can slowly increase the cows milk! Worth a try, let me know.

[charlach]

Sorry just read your thread again, must be off with the fairies. Didnt realise he wont take a bottle. Maybe yo ucould make it a little interesting for him. Do you think he would be able to master a straw cup yet?

[Goosie22]

Hi,
My eldest wouldn't touch full cream cows milk untill he went to preschool, he breastfeed untill he was 3 and had Physical skim on his Oates. I discussed it with friends and as a friend said western society is to bent on the calcium consumption push, Calcium is available from other sources and its more bio-available(tuna/salmon, cheese and natural yoghurt). He will catch up when he can with breastfeeding and drinking water is just fine for hydration along with a well balanced assortment of foods to pick at.