ok 11mo - first milk or follow-on formula?

[choolie]

DS is 11m, BF, but now has some formula in the day and at bed-time. I'm giving him first milk, is this best or should he be on follow-on? Also, am thinking might be best to stick with formula rather than swap to cow's milk at 12mo, until his eating is a bit better?

He still has couple BF at night and isn't the greatest eater, so doesn't have huge meals (I mean huge baby meals - couldn't believe how much puree a 6mo old was having at nursery the other day on DS's taster day! made me feel was starving him! - but he rarely finishes his meals totally, and I always offer yogurt, fruit & custard, rice pud etc after).

TIA.

[yelnats]

I would just stick with first milk and then change to cows milk. none of my dd's are really big eaters but neither of them suffer from it - both neatly built. dd2 is almost 11 months and I will be putting ehr straight onto cows milk (currently bf'ing with 1 bottle of formula a day). Is your ds a healthy weight?

[whomovedmychocolate]

Follow on milks are a complete con. What are you thinking he will be missing if he goes onto cows milk? Given that follow on milk and formula is made of cows milk?

Even if they don't eat a lot, they don't need a lot 500-600 calories a day which actually is quite easy to take in small amounts. Sounds like you are doing absolutely fine and feeding him all the right things. Their eating does pick up after the first b'day normally too.

[choolie]

yes, has stayed around 50th centile more or less since 4mo after an initial spurt. thanks.

[choolie]

x-post choc, just keep reading there's more iron etc. in the formula if they're not big eaters. that's why i thought I'd delay the cow's milk.

[whomovedmychocolate]

Yes they add iron but babies don't actually need that much iron. If you are feeding a range of foods including some protein (even a little bit) and some green veggies or beans three times a week, you don't need it.

Sounds like he's a fit and healthy young man - don't get sold on the marketing hype regarding formula. If he is still bfing even a little he's probably getting iron there too.

[Washersaurus]

I found it really difficult to resist the marketing hype for follow on milks with their extra iron etc etc. BUT they are a big con and cows milk is fine for an 11/12 mo. I really wouldn't bother with them at all, I know I won't be using them with DS2.

BTW I do know someone who still gives her DC follow on milk at 2.5 yrs old.

[choolie]

ok, thanks all.