Cows milk before first birthday?

[NameChange74567]

Dh and I are taking DC to a caravan for a weeks break. DD will be 3 weeks from her first birthday when we go. She drinks formula and I think there is a chance our steriliser won't fit in the microwave there. It's quite big, I have to take the plate out to fit it in ours at home. Is it ok to put her onto cows milk a few weeks before she turns one if it doesn't fit, or should I try and get a cheap second hand electric one?

I wouldn't be buying sterilisers. What is wrong with Milton? Having said that , years ago and in very different times re infant feeding guidelines my DC were well and truly on cows milk at one. My question would be ;are they needing a bottle still ? Beakers are easier to clean.

I would give cow milk for when you are away or if you use the ready made sterilised bottles of formula then you don’t need to sterilise the bottles.

@yikesanotherbooboo I don't actually know anything about Milton, I've never used it. Don't think I even know anyone who has, will look into it though. She doesn't drink out if anything other than a bottle, and really likes it for comfort at night. She usually falls asleep drinking her bottle at bedtime.

@Fitforforty I'm not sure she would drink out of the premade bottles, she refuses to drink out of anything other than her bottle. If I remember correctly from using them when she was a newborn, the teat is a completely different shape.

You just tip the premade stuff into their regular bottle.

And then sterilize her bottle in Milton or boiling water

You used to be able to get microwave steriliser bags just big enough for one bottle and bits at a time.

It’ll probably be fine to switch, I would

It's really not that necessary at age one (for the sake of a few weeks) to worry about cows milk or sterilising. A good hot wash is all you need.

Just checked on Amazon and you still can.

I’m sure I read that you only needed to sterilise up to six months? If she’s crawling or anything and putting random objects in her mouth and licking pushchair wheels etc. I wouldn’t sweat about using a clean but not sterilised bottle.

We just used to take Milton steriliser liquid or tablets with us and throw it in the sink with the bottle. However you’ll be switching to cow’s milk shortly anyway so I can’t see a switch doing any harm.

I'm guessing this is a mobile baby that's licking the floor and/or putting everything in their mouth?
Honestly, sterilising is completely moot by about 9-10months.

It would be fine to switch, but also to stop sterilising now but wash up the bottles thoroughly in hot water each time

I switched to cows milk at about 11 months and no I'll effects.

I wouldn't do as PP have suggested and stop sterilising bottles used for formula. It's not the same as licking stuff on the floor. Formula generates bacteria that should be sterilised at any age. I think you would be unlucky for your child to get ill but it's not a risk I would take when she'll be fine with cows milk.

You could probably use the microwave steriliser as a cold water one and use Milton or sterilising tablets in it. Or just wash the bottles in hot soapy water and rinse thoroughly.

we regularly stayed in caravans when our kids were babies, and we’d just buy the big bottles of pre-made baby milk, tip in the bottle, and then sterilise the bottles with sterilising tablets. we’d normally take enough bottles for the day then just leave to sterilise overnight.

Ready made formula or just test with cow's milk. Formula is made of cow's milk anyway.

[quote NameChange74567]@yikesanotherbooboo I don't actually know anything about Milton, I've never used it. Don't think I even know anyone who has, will look into it though. She doesn't drink out if anything other than a bottle, and really likes it for comfort at night. She usually falls asleep drinking her bottle at bedtime.

@Fitforforty I'm not sure she would drink out of the premade bottles, she refuses to drink out of anything other than her bottle. If I remember correctly from using them when she was a newborn, the teat is a completely different shape. [/quote]
You get ready mad formula which you just pour into her bottle. It’s only the newborn ones which come in their own bottle.

@Brogues Thanks, I've never seen them before.

I thought you always had to serilise bottles when used with formula no matter what age. I don't really like the idea of the milton tablets or solution, prefer to sterilise with steam. She has been crawling for a while and does put everything in her mouth. For the sake of 3 weeks I think I might just switch her to cows milk.

I have the microwave steriliser bags, I brought them just in case our steriliser ever broke, got mine from Asda but I bet Boots do them.

For the sake of 3 weeks I would just use cows milk and wash the bottles in hot soapy water.

That's assuming they'd already cows milk before and been fine, eg. in cereal.

I absolutely have to say this - both adult DS who are now in their 20s drank from cups, had cows milk, were weaned, no 'tummy time' malarkey from six months, baby rice from 12 weeks. No sterilising or any fuss. They are both over 6ft now, stupidly healthy and will eat anything offered to them on a plate. Or not on a plate - they're partial to a buffet!!