Formula or cows milk - wwyd?

[herdwicksheep]

My 11 month DS has been breastfed exclusively. He currently eats 3 regular meals, snacks and also BF 3-4 times per day.

My doctor has recently prescribed medication and informed me I cannot take it whilst breastfeeding. It's essential I take this medication so my question is, switch to formula for a month or so, then onto cows milk? Or just go straight to cows milk, as I know guidelines recommend you wait until 12 months?

[dementedpixie]

I would double check whether the gp us correct first if you wanted to continue breastfeeding as they don't always have up to date info.

[herdwicksheep]

demented I've been for a second opinion and also spoken to HV so I wouldn't want to risk taking it whilst still breastfeeding!

[MarinaCoyle]

I'd go straight to cow's milk- my DD went through a phase of nearly self-weaning around 11mo and I gave her full fat CM and yoghurts etc instead (she's back to grazing on boob once a day or so now). She kept on dutifully following her centile.

But I second PP- maybe do a double check on the medicine. The lactmed app is great for seeing whether medications are truly contraindicated if BFing. I'm a GP and use it when needed.

[MarinaCoyle]

Sorry xpost!

[MrsBojingles]

I think you'd be better off with formula- cows milk isn't recommend until 1 year

[TheRachel]

It's been a few years since I had a baby, but I think I would move to cows milk. I think my dd was on cows milk around that age.

[ch1134]

Straight to cows milk. We introduced it from 11 months under advice of hv. Formula is made of cows milk... it's just fortified which he doesn't need if he's eating 3 meals a day.

[Lottiedoubtie]

If he's eating well I'd be tempted to go to cows milk- for the sake of changing in a month seems silly! I'd research appropriate vitamins though.

[Flisspaps]

I'd go to cows milk

[Slavetominidictator]

I'd still check with lactmed that you definitely can't breastfeed on the medication as I've heard too many times of people being told they can't breastfeed by medical staff when that isn't necessarily the case at all.

If you would like to stop at this point anyway, then that is completely fair enough but don't do it based on incomplete information.

[dannydyerismydad]

Email [email protected]

The BfN pharmacist will be able to confirm for sure if you can take the medication or not. Most doctors and HVs err on the side of caution without researching for sure.

[LibrariesGaveUsPower]

Cows milk.