Cow's Milk

[Oscar's mum]

I know it is not recommended to give a baby cow's milk under 12 months. I am wondering why this is the case? I know the reason for honey etc but the milk reason has me stumped.

I have heard that replacing formula or breastmilk with cow's milk can cause anemia (I am pretty sure that is spelt wrong), but what harm would it do by introducing a few mouthfulls of milk?

[draught]

I am not an expert on this but my understanding is that it is okay to introduce it in small amounts under 12 months but it is not recommended to use it as a source of sustenance under 12 months. So it is okay on cereal etc.

Excessive cow's milk at any age can lead to anaemia (sp?) as at a certain point it leaches the iron from the blood - but that is only for excessive milk, not small amounts.

The other thing to be aware of is that some children are allergic to cow's milk - not lactose intolerant but allergic to the cow's milk protein itself - so that could be another reason for waiting until after 12 months, or for at least starting out cautiously.

[Oscar's mum]

Thanks for that Draught.

[sugar n spice]

My son is 11 mnths tommorrow and for the last couple of wks i have used it with his weet bix however it is not recommended for a drink in place of breast milk or formula. ;)

[wattle]

I saw toddler formula in the supermarket today. But I thought it was ok to have cows milk after 12 months :confused:

Why would they sell toddler formula if 1 year olds go on to cows milk?

Ds loves his milk...... is replacing formula with cows milk going to be a problem when he turns 1? :confused:

[Lunar]

It is not recommended to replace breastmilk or formula b4 12mnth but i think it's ok on cereal but only small amount, but i'm sure this is only ok for babies nearing 12months as cow's milk contains products that baby's tummy is not mature enough to digest and can't cope... if introduced too early it can actually cause alot of damage to baby's stomach and digestive system.
If it's only a few mouthfuls or sips why give it at all b4 12 months?

[draught]

I saw toddler formula in the supermarket today. But I thought it was ok to have cows milk after 12 months :confused:

Why would they sell toddler formula if 1 year olds go on to cows milk?

Ds loves his milk...... is replacing formula with cows milk going to be a problem when he turns 1? :confused:


That is a good question - the overwhelming response from my research is that it is a marketing ploy and nothing more. I weaned DD1 from the breast onto cow's milk after 12 months and am doing the same with DD2 and have had no problems.

[drewid]

I saw toddler formula in the supermarket today. But I thought it was ok to have cows milk after 12 months :confused:

Why would they sell toddler formula if 1 year olds go on to cows milk?

Ds loves his milk...... is replacing formula with cows milk going to be a problem when he turns 1? :confused:

Hey Cathy

You don't HAVE to put him onto cows milk when he turns 1. Its just that you CAN. Thats why there are still formulas marketed for toddlers - its a personal choice, formula or cows milk (or whatever milk)

[Rainbowbrite]

I've had Drs tell me that i can use cows milk on MJ's cereal from now. She's only 6 months :confused: The problem with motherhood is that we get told a million different, contradictive things from everybody. Who knows, I sure as heck dont?

I guess we were probably given things by 6 months that they tell you to hold off on till 1yr, and we're all still alive & healthy.

RB

[Oscar's mum]

I remember my mum telling me that she gave us vegemite in water from 6 weeks old.

[wattle]

Vegemite......ew......in water??????

[Snugglepot]

I just read this yesterday in Baby Love by Robin Baker! She suggestes that that cows milk is okay before 12 months (see quote below) and that the toddler formula is a bit of a marketing ploy.


Many babies bypass formula by breastfeeding and, in those second six months, combine breastfeeds with milk from a cup. Most bottle feed babies who eat well and drink only 2 to 3 bottles of milk should be able to drink whole milk from their bottles from 9 months without any detrimental effects. I have not found any health professional able to tell me the phsiological difference between a baby of 9 months and a baby of 12 months in regard to the strict 'formula until 12 months rule' so one wonders why it exsists apart from increasing profits for formula companies.

It is only her opinion, but she seems to have a sensible approach to most things.

[draught]

I have to say that that book is my bible and that is the approach I have adopted, with great success so far.