Switching to cow's milk

[TokenGinger]

DS is 11 months this week. He's currently formula fed and still has 5-6 9oz bottles a day and isn't really interested in food too much. He will have breakfast but then he's not too interested in dinner or tea. I've spoken to the HV and she wasn't concerned, he's a good weight and she said he'll increase his intake when he's ready.

For context, DS is above the 99.6th percentile for weight, so no concerns he isn't getting enough.

When do people begin the transition to cow's milk? Have you waited until bang on 12m to begin introducing the cow's milk, or has anybody weaned earlier?

I've had a few people say to me now that at 11 months, I should begin to swap out 1/2/3oz of formula with cow's milk until it's fully cow's milk.

I just wondered what others have done. I don't want to upset his tummy but equally if it's fine to do over the next few weeks, it saves making special trips to Boots for formula whilst we're in lockdown (we shop at Aldi which doesn't sell his formula).

[dementedpixie]

I'd cut the milk right back tbh as he should be taking more food now. From 1 year they only need 300/350 mls to get their calcium intake.

[dementedpixie]

And yes I would maybe offer cows milk in a cup with a snack instead of one of the bottles during the day

[Temple29]

Personally I waited until 12 months because DS couldn’t keep yogurt down when I tried a few times so I worried milk would do the same.

I would let your baby finish the last month on formula since it’s recommended. DS took to cows milk straight away to my surprise and the amount of food he eats increased too (always been a good eater though).

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

I'd cut right back on the bottles now. He only needs 13.5 floz a day at 11 months, dropping to 10 floz when he's one.

Then when he's 12 months, I'd just switch to cow's milk.

[TokenGinger]

When I spoke to the doctor about four weeks ago for a follow-up appointment re: a suspected intolerance, she told me that for his weight, he should be having 54fl oz a day but recommended we cut down to 45oz which is what we've been following.

I wasn't aware it should drop down so dramatically already.

We're really trying with weaning but HEA just not very interested in food and when we've withheld bottles, he'll still refuse food and just wait it out for a bottle 😩

[dementedpixie]

It's advised to give a minimum of 20oz from 6 months. The amount per weight only really applies to babies who arent eating solids yet. The amount needed drops as they get closer to 1 year with only 300/350mls needed after that (approx 11/12oz)

[dementedpixie]

You could reduce the amount in each bottle rather than cutting one out completely

[THNG5]

My little girl is 11 months this week as well. I'm planning on doing a straight swap when this box of formula is finished. I did the same for my older kids, no issues. Having said that, she only drinks 12oz of formula a day and eats like a horse so she really doesn't need formula anymore!

[Pinkblueberry]

A week or two before he turns 1 won’t make a huge difference, especially if you’ll run out of formula then. We ran out of formula about a week after DS turned 1 and then did a straight swap to cow’s milk, no issues. I think he was having 2 bottles a day at that time, so around 400 ml.