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Original poster

To give 10 month old cows milk?

34 replies

ChangingTheNarative · 27/08/2023 02:17

Hi all,

I'm wondering would it be okay to give my 10 month old 3oz of cows milk to tie her over?

DH has accidentally knocked the formula container over and it's smashed along with the formula and it was our last one and obviously it's happened on a Sunday when shops don't open until 10am.

It was a full tub and we were going to get some today anyway but I'm kicking myself we don't have more, lesson learnt.

I'm hoping her breakfast will tie her over but I just know she'll want a bottle and I can only offer whole milk as an alternative but I don't know if it's dangerous hence why I'm asking here.

Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
ChangingTheNarative · 27/08/2023 02:23

I know this isn't an exciting 2am thread but I'm just a bit worried about it.

OP posts:
Naominumbers · 27/08/2023 02:26

24 hour asda?

smashburger · 27/08/2023 02:27

I'm sure it will be fine. Although I'm not health professional but I was feeding DS (breastfed baby) cereal with cows milk at 10mo

Lottiexox · 27/08/2023 02:28

has she had milk before in foods ? I think she would be ok with a little amount but I have a 1 year old and she didn’t take to cows milk straight away so she might not even drink it.

67pennies · 27/08/2023 02:29

I really don't see why it would be dangerous on a short term basis. Especially given cow's milk can be given with cereal etc from 6 months. But maybe check with your gp for advice going forward as it might be that the quantities of minerals etc in it are supplemented better for babies?

Thinking of other countries though, do some people give milk directly from animals to their kids. Am wondering if formula companies have scared us but if milk directly from animals would surely be better?

Original poster
ChangingTheNarative · 27/08/2023 02:30

Naominumbers · 27/08/2023 02:26

24 hour asda?

There isn't one near us unfortunately first thing I did was google shops open near me and there's nothing until 10am tomorrow.

OP posts:
Lizzieregina · 27/08/2023 02:30

I’m old, so my kids are not little any more, but they all switched to cow’s milk at 9 months old because that was the recommendation then. They didn’t have any ill effects. I would keep it to a minimum though, as it would be an adjustment for her little tummy.

Original poster
ChangingTheNarative · 27/08/2023 02:32

Thank you everyone, it would just be a one off in the morning to tie her over until I can get her formula.

She hasn't had cows milk yet as I've been making her cereal with formula or porridge with water etc so I don't know if she'll even drink it but at least it's an option.

OP posts:
Original poster
ChangingTheNarative · 27/08/2023 02:34

Also I mean "tide her over", can tell it's 2am Grin

Thanks again for the advice everyone.

OP posts:
GoldenSpangles · 27/08/2023 02:47

Why do you store formula in a breakable container? Do you decant it out of a can? I can't see that a couple of servings of cows' milk is going to do harm - the alternative I assume is a hungry screaming baby.

Gooseysgirl · 27/08/2023 05:32

Facebook is your friend... put a post out on a local parenting group asking if anyone has some spare. I think baby would probably be ok with a small amount of the cows milk. I began mixing small amounts of cows milk into formula from 11 months onwards to get them used to the taste, gradually increasing to cows milk only by 12 months.

EvelynSalt · 27/08/2023 05:55

Would patrol stations have a small selection of formula? Might be worth a shot as they're open.

TossacointoHenryCavill · 27/08/2023 06:03

3oz as a one off will be fine. They can have cow’s milk in things like porridge at that age, it’s just the balance of nutrients isn’t perfect for them as a complete food so their milk feeds as supposed to be either breastmilk or formula for another couple of months. Standard formula is mostly cow’s milk anyway.

Coffeaddict · 27/08/2023 06:08

TossacointoHenryCavill · 27/08/2023 06:03

3oz as a one off will be fine. They can have cow’s milk in things like porridge at that age, it’s just the balance of nutrients isn’t perfect for them as a complete food so their milk feeds as supposed to be either breastmilk or formula for another couple of months. Standard formula is mostly cow’s milk anyway.

This. They will be fine as a once off

ItsFineImFine · 27/08/2023 06:09

I looked this up with my daughter and it’s totally fine. The reason behind why the medical advice is that they don’t want people replacing all breast or formula with cows as both of these have more appropriate nutrients for babies for their development but cows isn’t bad, as another poster said they have it with cereal and mine have porridge every day. I spoke to a lac consultant about it as well.

CasperGutman · 27/08/2023 06:26

Naominumbers · 27/08/2023 02:26

24 hour asda?

There are very few if any branches of Asda or any other supermarket open 24 hours on a Sunday, assuming the OP is in England or Wales. Sunday trading laws mean large shops may open for no more than 6 continual hours at some point during the period 10am and 6pm. This rule doesn't apply to some small stores but most of these aren't open 24 hours. Perhaps just a few un city centres?

Anyway, a 10 month old can have cow's milk as a one off. This won't be an issue. The advice is that cow's milk shouldn't be used as a main food source, because it doesn't contain the complete balance of nutrients in breast milk (which formula attempts to replicate). The advice isn't based on there being anything harmful in the cow's milk.

ZooMount · 27/08/2023 06:41

Smaller shops like co-op are usually open from 7am on a Sunday. I'm also wondering why you are decanting your formula into glass containers?! Is this just so it looks nicer in your kitchen? 🤯

Original poster
ChangingTheNarative · 27/08/2023 07:35

ZooMount · 27/08/2023 06:41

Smaller shops like co-op are usually open from 7am on a Sunday. I'm also wondering why you are decanting your formula into glass containers?! Is this just so it looks nicer in your kitchen? 🤯

That's my fault because I said smashed but it's a plastic container. I just meant it went all over the floor.

Thank you for the advice again everyone. I didn't realise co op opened so early so I'm gonna pop down and see if they have her formula, it's only a small one though so not sure but worth a look and if not, I feel a bit better giving her cows milk as a one off.

OP posts:
Sugarfree23 · 27/08/2023 07:39

I'd think it's fine.
There is a different nutrition balance in cows milk to formula so not suitable as an infant feed but as a one off it will be fine. And better than your alternative which is nothing.

Hiphopopotamonster · 27/08/2023 07:45

Really confused as to why people think this will be dangerous for a ten month old. What do you
all think formula is? It’s basically cows milk with a load of extra stuff added to it for proper rounded nutrition. So one feed of just cows milk is not going to be in the least bit harmful - it just won’t be as nutritious as the formula. The reason the guidance says to keep babies having formula or breast milk rather than cows milk up until 12 months is simply so that they are getting maximum nutrition from their drinks.

Original poster
ChangingTheNarative · 27/08/2023 07:48

@Hiphopopotamonster because this is what I got when I googled it.

To give 10 month old cows milk?
OP posts:
Crumbcatcher · 27/08/2023 07:53

I would have scooped some formula off the floor, as there was no glass. Crawling babies hands are on the floor anyway.

spitefulandbadgrammar · 27/08/2023 08:13

Crumbcatcher · 27/08/2023 07:53

I would have scooped some formula off the floor, as there was no glass. Crawling babies hands are on the floor anyway.

I was going to say this! Especially if it’s in a heap: scoop off the top and it won’t have even touched the floor,’plus don’t you have to make it with boiling water to kill germs anyway? But I am a slattern and have hardy babies.

Cow’s milk fine for a one-off. Plus it’s not like they flip a switch at 12 months and can suddenly have cow’s milk as a drink; it’s just guidance to make sure food/drink is overall appropriate. I’d rather give cow’s milk than have a screaming hungry angry baby.

Original poster
ChangingTheNarative · 27/08/2023 08:18

Crumbcatcher · 27/08/2023 07:53

I would have scooped some formula off the floor, as there was no glass. Crawling babies hands are on the floor anyway.

I know this seems really obvious but it was 2am and I didn't think I was just like ffs and cleaned it up but normally I think I would have just done that cos like you say babies are crawling around and you put it in boiling water anyway.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 27/08/2023 08:19

Cows milk would be fine to give a small amount of. You can use cows milk in cereal and in foods and cooking from 6 months. The CDC is US based and maybe has different guidelines to the UK

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