Does a 12month old really need COWS milk??

[tryingtobemarypoppins2]

BF for 8 months then used follow on milk. He eats really really well but still has follow on milk first thing, late afternoon and before bed.

His nursery he goes to once a week, asked me if I would now be happy for him to have cows milk in a cup. Cup isn't a problem during the day (I think a bottle at bedtime is better for now as he gets more and is tired etc) but has made me think....does he really need cows milk??

I suppose he doesn't "need" cows milk, although imo, it's probably just as good as follow on milk if he's eating a varied solid food diet.

I ff my dc, but switched to cows milk when she reached 12 mo, I reckon follow on milk is just some way of the formula companies making more money out of parents (unless said dc has a problem digesting cows milk, or isn't eating much in which case there are probably better ways to get nutrients).

My dd has 2 or 3 cups of milk a day, she only has a mid-afternoon one if she doesn't have a snack instead.

I think it's down to personal choice really. My babs is 12 months and I mix and match. I tend to give her the Aptamil ready made at night as she gave up on the bed time milk when I stopped BF. I'm too lazy to make formula (yeah. I know) and she tends to prefer the sweet taste of non cow's milk so she drinks more of it.

Not so much does he need it as does he need anything more expensive else?

well, technically he doesn't "need" milk at all... children can be raised without it

but it's really no different to having formula (which is made from cows milk) is it? in fact, cows milk is cheaper, so you'd save some money!

Isn't there more iron though in follow on milk??? Lots more than cows milk???

There is more iron in follow on milk buy cows milk isn't naturally a good source of iron so that's not the reason for drinking milk. There a other nutrients that milk is high in and your lo should be getting iron from other sources eg red meat and green veg.

dairy inhibits iron absorption anyway, so it isn't a very good source of it. they have to put a LOT in to ensure enough is taken up, this results in constipation for a lot of children

a child with a good and varied diet will have enough iron without needing formula

and if you're worried about intake then there are better ways of getting iron into a baby throuigh diet

Many thanks! I think we will move over to Cows milk then as he eats for England!