cow's milk as main drink for 10+ month old

[justonesherryformedicinalpurpo]

So ebf until 10m. Started weaning her onto formula for night and bf throughout night as she kept using me as a dummy and also for nap time as she slept so much better. All round better sleep for myself and DP plus decent ME time in day while she naps.

However, she has had diarrhea every morning, and I mean an explosion! And sometimes in the afternoon too. I know it's because of the formula.

I've tried different brands, sterilising bottles, I would also pre-make the midnight feed but then did it fresh to check it wasn't bacteria building from sitting at room temp. I would go back to ebf but 1) my milk supply is very low of course and 2) I've got used to the better nap times and nights!

My sister switched her 2dc before 1yr and were fine. She has it daily mixed with brekkie etc. and has no problems so I've offered it to her as a drink and she happily drinks it annnd no diarrhea!!

Anyone done the same? I'm positive she has no allergic reaction and she seems ready for it but have now read up on iron deficiency and anemia!!

Now I'm worried I'm putting my LO at risk. Should I keep nursing and hope milk supply increases and ebf again or do you think my LO seems ready for it?

all advice appreciated, thank you.

[MrsGTW2]

Really glad I've seen your post, as I'm thinking of doing exactly the same for my 10mo. I'm going back to work soon and my lb is ebf. He does take a bottle and has formula occasionally (I also experienced the explosive poos when I first introduced formula more regularly, they do get better once their system adjusts!), but it seems silly to move his two remaining feeds onto formula just for a month or so before I then introduce cows milk. I have friends who've moved onto cows milk at around this stage with no issues - I'm guessing you're giving your lo vitamins anyway, given the bf, so they should be fine when it comes to iron etc. Anyway, I'm planning to start next week with his morning feed and giving him cows milk in a beaker...then he'll still have one BF left, which I'll phase out after a while. Would also be interested to see what other replies you get x

[MigGril]

Which formula are you using? If your using six month plus formula mite be worth trying first stage formula as it's suitable upto 12 months. The problem with cows milk is it has a high sodium content, if she is still drinking a lot of milk this can be a problem when they are little.

[justonesherryformedicinalpurpo]

Glad someone is in the same boat MrsGT !

Oh dear, yes she is Mig. If I switched herto cow's milk completely which is soon to be on the horizon she'd be having about 20oz in 24hr which is ave if it was formula but as cow's milk I guess this is too much if she isn't a year?

I was using Aptimel stage 1 and then follow on. I also tried Hipp Organic. All have the same outcome!

[AnnoyedByAlfieBear]

How often are you switching? Are you giving each one time for her gut to get used to the change?

Also another reason for not switching to cow's milk too early is that milk should be their main source of sustenance until they are one. Formula / breast milk has so many more nutrients, vitamins, etc than cows milk which your dd will not be absorbing yet from her solid foods.

[dementedpixie]

Formula is made from cows milk so why do you think she will be better with straight cows milk

[wanderingwondering]

My dd rejected breastfeeding at 3 months and never much liked formula either. I persevered until 10 months when she was taking less than 8oz of formula a day (but eating a wide range of foods) and switched to cows milk in a beaker and plenty of cheese and yogurts.
Not ideal but she was fine.

[dementedpixie]

Maybe it's the added probiotics that cause the diarrhoea. You could see if there is a formula without them added. Have you tried SMA?

[dalmatianmad]

Op your daughter will be absolutely fine on cows milk at 10 months! I switched mine at a similar time and they're now healthy teenagers.....
My niece's ds is 10 months and she's started him on cows milk because she's struggling financially and he's been ok.
It's only a guide you do what you think

[Focusfocus]

Not sure "It's inky a guide you do what you think" is the best advice on health matters.

The reason formula or BM is suggested for up to a year is that they are only milks that match the nutritional needs of a baby that age. Cows milk on the other hand does not have those added extras, does not contain anywhere near enough iron and is not considered suitable as a main drink till around 1. It obviously doesn't flip overnight before their first birthday. Not sure what to suggest though, try asking the GP or health visitor? They are likely to have clearer guidance rather than anecdotal evidence of people giving it and things "being okay"

[DramaAlpaca]

I switched my DC to cow's milk at around 10 months and both were absolutely fine, no problems whatsoever. Do what you feel is right for you & your baby.

[justonesherryformedicinalpurpo]

Perhaps I'm not giving it enough time for her gut to adjust and give SMA a try. She does have a varied diet, eats lots and loves her food. But yes I think I'll chat with HV about it so I can get all the facts. Thanks all

[Whatthefreakinwhatnow]

OP, my six month DD flat out refuses to drink formula, so I make porridge with 2-3oz of formula and then make chess sauces, mashed root veg, rice pudding etc with formula throughout the day along with yoghurt and cheese and both the HV and my GP have said this is absolutely fine. At best she's having 10 oz of formula, the rest comes from cheese and yoghurt which is cows milk and she's been fine.
It might be more gentle on her tummy mixed with good rather than as a drink?

[lanbro]

Dd2 was a formula and bottle refuser, didn't drink anything for a whole weekend when I was away at 10 mo. I started making banana smoothies with cows milk at 10 mo and at 11 mo she was drinking cow's milk on it's own. No history of allergies so I felt it would be fine, and it was!

[lanbro]

I did bf her until 1 but only really morning and evening .

[scaevola]

Formula is basically just modified cows milk, augmented with some vitamins.

There's no reason not to try straight cows milk, but it's less digestible in its unmodified form.

The age to introduce cows milk has varied over time, btw and in early 1990s it was any time after 6 months. So yes, earlier than current guidelines; but no, not catastrophic consider and choose something different.

[MigGril]

Yes but the main reason it was moved to older was the higher sodium content. A baby drinking water and taking in lots of solid as well may be fine but one just drinking lots of cows milk may not. And ops baby is still drinking a lot of milk in comparison to some others on hear. I think she's right in seeking advice from her HV on this one. They don't change guide lines for fun you know.

[dementedpixie]

It's higher in sodium and lower in iron and other vitamins required for that age group

[LBOCS2]

I went back to work when ebf DD was 9mo. She would take a bottle - but not formula. At all. Any type. Expressing just didn't work for us, and so on desperation I tried cows milk. She was fine with it. I did supplement with vitamin drops and still fed her myself 2/3 times a day (first thing/when I got home/her bedtime) and she was well on her way with weaning then, a really keen eater. But she was absolutely fine, and still is - she's three now and full of beans!

[DurhamDurham]

My two girls went straight from being breastfed to having cows milk. My oldest was about 9 months old and my youngest was 10 months. It worked for us and they had great diets so I doubt they were lacking in anything. I know people worry about iron but if you include it in the foods you choose they'll be fine.

[Amummyatlast]

It's the salt that's the main problem. My bog-standard full fat milk has 0.10g of salt per 100ml (approx 3.5 oz). If your DC was still having a lot of milk you could get close to the 1g max for that age, especially if you were feeding lots of other salty food too (cheese for example).

[LBOCS2]

But close to the 1g max is just that - close to the recommended daily allowance. It's a safe allowance, that's why they recommend parents stay within it - not to challenge yourself to get as close to zero as possible, it's not an issue.

[Jw35]

You can do but you will need to give a vitamin supplement.

[justonesherryformedicinalpurpo]

I'll calculate how much salt she would be having. Thanks for tips.

If I choose to give her cow's milk can anyone suggest any decent vitamin supplements?

[Naty1]

formula also has soya in it, so that could be what she is reacting to.