When can I replace formula with milk?

[lil monkey]

Hi there,

DD is nearly 12 months and I was wondering when I can stop mixing up formula for her to drink and replace with milk? Also, what milk can I give her? I know there is junior milk etc.

Do I gradually introduce it to her with 50% formula and 50% milk?

[jacks mum]

maybe someone can answer a question for me too. DS is 7 months and when can I start milk (have heard from 10 months) I'm bf and don't really want to use formula if I don't have to. Any comments

[lil monkey]

I think I have left it later than usual as I suffer from severe irritable bowel and DP is lactose intolerant so we were holding off on the milk on it's own for as long as possible!

[aardvark]

They generally say after 12 months normal milk is OK.

Seeing you both have "issues: with milk, though, I'd be inclined to check with your doctor.

There is lactose in breastmilk, though, so I wouldn't think you should have a problem with the lactose side of things.

I'd also be inclined to stick to organic full cream milk for a child, too. It has been shown to be more nutritious in studies from the United Kingdom.

[kimmy]

I agree that you guys should talk to you doc about this.
12 months on is a go age to start giving them milk.
When my son went to cows milk i just stopped the formula & just watered down the milk for him & every week just put a bit more milk & bit less water.

[sugar n spice]

Nestle toddler milk is good ds1 loves it.

[kimmy]

Yeah i think i might try that one on Chloe.

[Shazbutt]

Mac was 12 months when i started her on cows milk. She had the nestle toddler formula at night just for a top-up of all the vitamins and stuff thats in it.

I just watered it down as well like kimmy. Only a little though.....probably started off at about 3/4 milk, 1/4 water for a day or two, then 1/2-1/2, for another couple and so on....

[Worm'sMum]

Charli was about 11 months when I started her. I did 50/50 formula and milk (full cream) so it was 120ml formula 120ml milk. Then I cut it down to 60ml formula and the rest milk, and then full milk! I think I did it over a couple of weeks. Now at 14 months she has cold milk with half a teaspoon of quik in the mornings and still has her bottle of warm milk at night before bed.

They say to give full cream rather than skinny milk...not sure what the reason is for that? But I have given her skinny milk very occasionally when we've stayed at friends places and they don't have full cream.:(

[kiwibird27]

12 months is the offical age to start cows milk unless you have a strong family history of allergies then your doctor will advise - You don't need follow on milks - toddlers will love them but it just fills them up and stops them from feeling hungry and eating (it can be the same as excessive use of cows milk)- We are just part of a huge MARKETING scheme to make us panic about our toddlers not getting enough vitamins and minerals - it's total rubbish - don't waste your money

[lucyp]

I too had the same questions about starting milk - for those of you with lactose probs etc - our peaditrician suggested goats milk - our DS looves it and it is apparently very close to what human milk is like - more so than cows.:D

[kiwibird27]

Need to give bubbies full cream milk because they require the fat content for their brain development - thats why full fat yoghurt etc is always recommended

[Zada]

when DD was 10 months i started doing 1/2 formula, 1/2 cows milk. only did that for 2 weeks or so then she was on full milk

[MissSparkle]

DS started cows milk at 8months. He never drank formula so went straight from breat to milk! He loves it! Hes never had any reactions to it.
Someone i know started her DD on cows milk at 5months. I know this is not reccommended but she handled it fine.