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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

Converting to Cows Milk before 1 year

37 replies

Spillage · 28/09/2005 20:33

My son is 8 months old taking sma progress. However, he keeps becoming constipated and my mum tells me that I should switch to cows or goats milk. Can anyone give me their views please as I know in days gone by cows milk was introduced as early as 6 months. Can I even juggle with cows milk and formula? I'm sure he will not have a reaction because I put milk in his cereal anyway. I am finding it a real nail biting decision. thank you

OP posts:

LIZS · 28/09/2005 20:35

Was he all right on his previous formula, if so I'd revert to that. As long as he takes solids there is no nutritional benefit to follow on formulas but full cow's milk isn't recommended as a drink until a year.

madmarchhare · 28/09/2005 20:36

Might be a stupid question, but have you tried tackling the constipation first?

hunkermunker · 28/09/2005 20:36

Is Progress a follow-on milk? Try going back to infant formula - follow-on is well-known to cause constipation in a lot of babies (it has a much higher iron content than they need).

He's a bit young for cows' milk IMO.

hunkermunker · 28/09/2005 20:37

Follow-on only exists so they can market their brands anyway - in countries where infant formula advertising is legal, it doesn't exist.

starlover · 28/09/2005 20:37

try changing to his previous fomrula.
follow on milk has extra iron in it which might be why he is getting consipated

took us ages to find something that didn't make ds constipated or sick!

LIZS · 28/09/2005 20:41

hm, that isn't entirely true - the companies still market formula for up to 3-4 yr olds elsewhere in Europe, often flavoured.

Original poster

Spillage · 28/09/2005 20:44

Thank you for your views. I shall put them to the test. I do wonder myself whether it is perhaps a bit of a money spinner for the producers as I say it was unheard of only 9 years ago to put them on to progress milk as far as my older family and friends are concerned.

OP posts:

hunkermunker · 28/09/2005 20:44

What's called "growing-up milk" in this country, LIZS? Not quite the same as the follow-on here, I don't think - but still another way to make mothers feel they need to buy special drinks/food for their babies. It's a racket, and no mistake!

Merlin · 28/09/2005 20:47

Sorry to hijack, but bit confused! DS2 is almost 6 months and just started weaning. Currently on a mix of SMA White and Gold. Do I not need to bother to go to Progress then?

Gobbledigook · 28/09/2005 20:47

I think I put ds3 on cows milk at about 11 months - he was fine. Not sure I would just yet if I were you.

starlover · 28/09/2005 20:48

nope, not if you're happy with what he's on merlin!

Gobbledigook · 28/09/2005 20:48

Merlin - there is no reason whatsoever to go onto progress - tis a marketing ploy! Don't change.

Merlin · 28/09/2005 20:49

Thanks for that ladies - do you think I can return the tin I bought today then? - unopened obviously!

LIZS · 28/09/2005 20:50

Oh, they do Follow On's too plus "milk fortifiers" which may be the equivalent of growing up milk. All the usual companies are culpable.

madmarchhare · 28/09/2005 20:52

Other than extra iron, what do they have in them that the regular formula doesnt?

Roobie · 28/09/2005 20:52

DD self-weaned from the breast at 7months and I didn't change her to formula. As she was on 3 proper balanced meals per day I wasn't too worried - as well as milk on cereal, sauces etc she did have the odd drink of it as well as other kinds of drink - mainly water.

Genuine question...what is the big deal about drinking milk before one year when they are obviously not allergic to it or anything?

hunkermunker · 28/09/2005 20:54

It's not got the right balance of fats and vitamins in it, Roobie. It's also got too much sodium in it, iirc.

starlover · 28/09/2005 20:56

merlin... use it if you already have it, but don't feel you HAVE to swap to it just because milk companies want you to! lol

some of them are cheaper than the regular formulas which is the only reason i would use them. also you can get your boots/nectar points on it etc!

Roobie · 28/09/2005 20:59

So is it just the quantity of it that would be the problem then if a baby were to drink lots of cows milk? Do they actually have to drink milk at all if they otherwise have a balanced diet and get calcium from other sources?
I worried about dd self-weaning but didn't want to give her formula - she seemed to thrive though.

pootlepod · 28/09/2005 21:15

My dd self weaned from the breast at 9 months and as I was very happy with her meals/nutritional balance, she had cows milk from then on for drinks. Though she has never been a milky baby and it was usual for her not to drink it.

It's not what is recommended, but I was happy with that decision for her and she is just fine.

But I would tackle the constipation first and would agree it sounds like an iron thing. Also try more fruit/veg and water to help.

Merlin · 28/09/2005 21:15

starlover - I noticed it was cheaper! Perhaps I'll use this tin and see how he goes with it. Currently has SMA white morning and bedtime and SMA gold for 2 other feeds. Bit concerned what people have said about the higher iron content causing constipation so will see what happens. (he doesn't like water much!)

Mojomummy · 28/09/2005 22:03

PLEASE PLEASE get the constipation sorted out. My DD ( 27mths) has been constipated since she was about 10 or so months & it's just dreadful. After a couple of struggles with going, a really nasty cycle can set in which is proving impossible to break .

Note this was about which milk to use - I have read that Aptimal milk has pro & prebiotics, which may help "soften" stools, perhaps that may help you little ones.

kateandfelicity · 29/09/2005 14:21

hi, just to cause controversy, i was not able to have formula as a baby, my mum did not bf, so i was raised on cows milk... tasty milk... i don't think its that big a deal. see robin barker (baby love)

Toothache · 29/09/2005 14:26

Has anyone mentioned the potential problem with creating a dairy intolerance by switching to purely cows milk too early??????

Food intolerances, asthma and excema are all in my family. Even if there is only one of the above within the family then you should carfeully consider delaying giving cows milk for as long as possible.

kama · 29/09/2005 14:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

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