Cow milk transition advice

[jesusisyahweh]

Hey I am reaching out for advice. My baby is 8 months old. Every baby is different of course but I been pumping for the full 8 months now. Supplemented formula once this last week because I barely have enough stash to send to the sitter everyday. They keep saying she’s old enough for regular milk now and asking if I wanna mix regular milk with breast milk to finish out these last 4 months of pumping. I know they say don’t give babies regular milk til a year old so that’s where I’m conflicted. Baby has no known health problems and sitter has 6 kids and they did that to their babies around 8 months no issues. Do you think it would be ok to mix?

 

[skelendke]

@jesusisyahweh The answer depends on where you live because the guidelines are specific to each country - globally (WHO's recommendations) is six months for whole animal milks, Canada 9 months, US/UK is 12 months - even with those ages, always check with your peds as too much cows milk (at any age) can be a concern around iron levels (whole milk doesn't have a lot of iron compared to formula) and usually they will want to ensure that baby is getting enough iron rich foods/iron drops.

Age to start whole milk article

Cheers!

 

[reformed]

@jesusisyahweh You're supposed to wait until 1 yr but I believe certain countries and outdated practices used to do 9 months. Kids probably didn't die? But at risk for deficiencies and you don't want to risk that at this age

 

[maame]

@jesusisyahweh No! But you should talk to your peds. They need to be a year before drinking cows milk.

 

[nadine777]

@jesusisyahweh Pediatrician advised not to do this with our oldest when he weaned himself at 10 months. I would stick to supplementing with formula.

 

[bjjones]

@jesusisyahweh For me personally, I definitely would not do that. I’m sure your baby would most likely be fine, but I just see no reason to do this. Formula would be the safest option if you want/need to supplement. If you choose to use cow’s milk before a year, you should discuss it with your pediatrician first.

Also just because your daycare provider has taken care of a lot of babies before yours, does not mean she knows your baby better than you do momma. No shade to your daycare provider, but don’t let anyone bully you into a decision that you aren’t comfortable with

 

[selam]

@jesusisyahweh Formula and combo feeding are a very safe choice, please talk to your pediatrician cows milk is usually 1 year+

 

[katrina2017]

@jesusisyahweh goats milk is a little bit easier on babies tummy than cows milk.

 

[thing2]

@jesusisyahweh No. Please don’t do that. Wait for a year.

https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/foods-and-drinks/cows-milk-and-milk-alternatives.html#:~:text=At%2012%20months%20old%20(but,of%20nutrients%20your%20baby%20needs.

 

[miketexas]

@jesusisyahweh I wouldn’t. First, baby’s stomach is not developed enough to handle it. Second, you should not give it as a replacement one for one to breast milk because too much calcium can impede iron absorption. If you need to supplement, formula or donor milk is the way to go.