Cows Milk - I'm confused!

[bigredtractor]

Hi, my 6 month old DD has been exclusively bf so far and we're weaning. Still plenty of milk feeds.

she's taken bottles of expressed milk no problem. I've been thinking about maybe switching to mixed milk feeds (bf / ff) but having read the ingredients on formula packs I'm wavering. I am in NO WAY judging ff or wanting to start a bunfight btw, I was genuinely surprised by the list of what's in baby milk.

I know that you can't give cow's milk as a main drink because of the iron content (or lack of), but would the odd cup of cow's milk instead of formula milk be ok for a 6m+ baby as part of a mixed diet (of bf, food + water)? E.g. if I was out for a couple of hours could she have one bottle of expressed milk and then cow's milk if she needed more?

DD doesnt have any allergies or hasn't reacted badly to any foods so far.
Thanks

[CultureSucksDownWords]

In the scenario you're describing I think I would offer water and/or a snack before giving cows milk. I suppose a one off drink of cows milk wouldn't be an issue, but I would be wary of making it a regular thing.

Too much cows milk can irritate the intestines plus the balance of salts/proteins etc make it unsuitable for young babies. The other ingredients in formula are added to make sure that it has a more suitable balance for babies than just plain cows milk.

[clarella]

I know how you feel as I felt the same when looking at ff for nursery (but continuing bf rest of time) but I'd do formula over cows milk.

Just normal formula, don't get swayed by the whole follow on marketing crap.

[Ifithelps]

I wouldn't as the composition of cows milk isn't suitable for young babies. It can irritate the intestines causing them to bleed which can lead to anaemia.

[noblegiraffe]

You can use it in food/cereal but not as a drink till they turn 1.

[Schmoop]

what pp states is the general guidelines at the moment. I think its unlikely it would do any harm. As a baby I was ebf to 6 months then straight onto cows milk. But its always best not to take risks with little babies so perhaps use formula for now