11MO switch to whole milk

[Abih91]

Just wanting to find out if people have switched their babies to whole milk before 1? My baby is breastfed twice a day morning and night and is offered formula in the day which he rarely drinks along with his three meals and snacks.
Can I give him whole milk instead to see if he’ll drink more? He has vitamin drops too as advised by HV.

[bluesky45]

We switched just over a week before his first birthday. The hv didn't seem bothered when I mentioned it. I can't see if being an issue if he rarely drinks the formula anyway. As far as I'm aware he's allowed cows milk anyway and just needs the formula for a calories and added nutrients, but if he's not taking the formula then he's not getting the calories and nutrients anyway so what difference will it make? It will be easier for you if he has cows milk instead.

[cactusplant]

I can't see why not. I'm sure many people have.
My ds (5) was switched to oat milk at 11m due to his milk allergy and refusing formula.
He's thriving now. As is dd who went to oat milk at 12m.
I don't actually plan on giving whole milk to dc3 when they arrive it will be oat milk at 12m too.
I realise that's irrelevant to your post but my point is so long as they get the vitamins it doesn't really matter

[Isittimeforbed]

I gave whole milk when I slowed down on breastfeeding because I didn't want to do the whole formula or pumping thing for a few weeks and then change again. Whole milk shouldn't be their main source of nutrition as it doesn't have everything they need, but if they eat fairly well plus vitamins and in your case still have some breast milk it'll be fine. The official advice was still that I was doing the wrong thing though.

[Caterina99]

With both of mine I started the transition at 11m. One cup a day, rather than switching entirely at 12m. If he’s still being breastfed and eating a good varied diet then I really don’t see what difference a few weeks makes

[Veryberrycherry]

I did at 11 months. No problem