Cow's milk under 1? Advice please!

[lanbro]

My almost 11mo is still bf but will not take formula. My 2yo has a banana smoothie as her supper most nights and I want to introduce this to the younger one too. Can I use cow's milk? This would be the one and only drink of cow's milk, all other milk feeds would be bf. I would use approx 150ml whole milk plus one banana.

There is no history of any allergies in the family and she eats a wide variety of solids. Any thoughts?

[RubberBulletKisses]

My ds has been having cows milk with cereal since we started weaning at 6 months, I think it'll be fine

[whatadrain]

Personally I found that using cows milk earlier than a year (I think they were around 8 months when I tried to substitute a bottle a day) made my DTs VERY constipated with weird, white poo.(Sorry TMI!) At 11 months though, I'm sure it'll be fine for one drink a day.

[mummybare]

Cows' milk in food is fine from 6 months and as a drink from a year.

[lanbro]

She's been having it on cereal and in sauces with no adverse effects! I shall keep an eye on her nappy tho!

[StillaChocoholic]

I can't see the problem. No point spending money on formula for just one bottle a day

[Buttercup27]

In food is fine from 6 months but as a drink from 1 year. As it's mixed with fruit It will be fine.

[lanbro]

I am aware it is not recommended as a drink before a year, and of the reasons why, that is why I am asking advice on whether at 11mo a small amount, alongside breast milk and a varied diet would be ok. I am not suggesting cow's milk as an alternative to breast milk. Thank you for all helpful responses.

[ilovepowerhoop]

as long as the main drink remains breastmilk then it is fine to have the odd drink of cows milk.

[Superworm]

I would wait before giving a whole drink. Cows milk can cause iron deficiency anaemia for a number of reasons which this research explains

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/22043881/

[ilovepowerhoop]

he's 11 months old though so not a really young baby and he is still going to be getting mainly breastmilk so I dont think its going to be that much of an issue

[Superworm]

Then if you know the risks , it's for you to decide