So what will happen if I give my baby cows' milk to drink?

[Lio]

Going back to work on Monday, no joy getting 6mo dd to drink formula, is it OK to try cows' milk, even if just to get her used to a bottle/cup (am hopeless at expressing, she's starve if she has to rely on that)?

Is the 'bad' thing about cows' milk just that it's not good enough? My understanding (likely to be flawed) is that cows' milk won't harm her, it just won't do her as much good as formula (or breastmilk, which she'll be getting the 5 days a week I'm not working, and mornings and evenings/nights).

TIA.

[deaconblue]

I think it's the iron factor that's the problem. I'm sure someone more knowledgable than me will come along soon. Ds had cow's milk in sauces from 6 months so I don't think it does any harm in small amounts unless you have a history of allergies maybe??

[Incodnito]

I would just give her water to drink, u will make up the breastfeeeds later on.
I am guessing she is on solids.
If so no need to give anything else imo

[Lio]

Thanks to both of you.
On solids but in fairly teeny quantities. Not too keen on water either. I know she won't let herself starve, but the nursery staff could be in for a pretty yucky 8 hours if I can't get her onto a cup or bottle in the next few days. No history of allergies. Will wait in case someone can deffo tell me if it's OK to try.

[MrsBadger]

Guess you've tried different formulas, different types of spouty beaker, Doidy cup etc, getting someone else to offer it to her so she doesn't try for a bf instead etc etc?

(fwiw I hear Hipp Organic in cartons smells less boaksome than many)

[Lio]

tried many cups/teats but only aptamil in cartons, will deffo try hipp, thanks! anyone know whether there is a reason i should not try cows' milk?

[Lio]

just did a better google search and think i'll give it a whirl. still interested to hear others' experiences.

[ravenAK]

Both mine have had half & half cow's milk & formula quite often from about 6 months - usually because I've had to boil the kettle to make the bottle & need to cool it down in a hurry! Both of them will cheerfully drink bm, formula, cows' milk, whatever - doesn't seem to have done any harm.

I'm told that on the continent cows' milk is considered perfectly OK from 6 months.

[Twiglett]

even in Australia the earliest they recommend starting on cow's milk is 9 months

I put DD straight onto it from BF at about 11 months

I wouldn't start at 6 months as your child isn't eating a balanced diet (I'm sure there's more reasons but don't know them) .. it doesn't feel right though to start cow's milk as main drink earlier

[MrsBadger]

this might be helpful.
Seems it's too hard to digest and just isn't nourishing enough.

[ironingqueen]

Or you could leave formula, and if dd is really hungry perhaps she will glug it down, especially if give by someone other than Mummy.

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

I cant remember the reason either

But the advise not to give cows milk before 1 year as a main drink.

To do with nutrient and fat content i think. Plus allergy issues etc.

You could try soya milk? Wysoy?

Or express as much as you can, and introduce a small amount of formula into the expressed milk to get him used to the taste, adn then slowly increase the ratio of formula to b/milk.

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

In short - dont replace a milk feed with cows milk or water in a baby under 1 year old.

[FluffyMummy123]

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[FluffyMummy123]

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[fryalot]

my hv told me that cows millk once in a while was ok - in an emergency for eg. But it has quite a high salt content so is not suitable for a small baby.

This conversation was after my 3 month old had been given his big sister's milk by mistake by half asleep dp and he suffered no side effects.

[Rhubarb]

this is the horrifying result of weaning a baby on full fat cows milk.

Don't do it.

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

yes coddy, but that isn't what is recommended by the experts

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

PMSL Rhubs

[FluffyMummy123]

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[VeniVidiVickiQV]

Have you been scarred for life?

"my eyes, my eyes"

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

athena poster

sorry...hijacking slightly....

[FluffyMummy123]

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[VeniVidiVickiQV]

oh dear god!

[FluffyMummy123]

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[VeniVidiVickiQV]

i meant to link to this one originally!