does 9-month old really need formula

[yackityyak]

I've just about had enough of making up bottles of formula. I know the official line is that babies need formula until one year old but is this really true. it would be so nice and much easier to be able to pour out a bit of ordinary cows milk when required. What is the reason for using formula until one year old? And if my 9-month old is having a good diet is it really necessary. By the way we are vegetarian (no meat or fish).

Well, whole cows milk isn't recommended until over a year because it is designed for baby cows not baby humans and under a year (breast or formula) milk makes up a large contribution to babies nutrition.

Whole cows milk just doesn't have the right levels of fat/protein/vitamins/carbohydrates/minerals to be used as the single biggest food source for a human baby. For a calf it's just perfect though

It's only 3 more months and you can still use cows milk in cooking/on cereal before 1 year. Some of the formula brands make ready to use feeds so perhaps try using some of those or switching to a beaker instead of a bottle (you may find your baby takes less by beaker than bottle).

What TruthSweet said. It really does need to be formula or breastmilk as the main drink/food for a year.

Do use cows milk for cooking and breakfast but stick with the formula for now.

What TruthSweet said too. But I know what you mean - I'm already looking forward to not having to make up formula too! It's become second nature, but I'll still be glad when it's a distant memory. But it's still a few months off for us too.

I breastfed my son till 9months. Now he eats all colors of the rainbow in fruits and vegetables . He also eats some fish and scrambled eggs. He drinks almond & cashew milk twice a day and coconut water with meals. He is a happy healthy baby & is right on target in growth according to Dr. I think people can stress a little to much about this topic all children mature at different times & i refuse to believe that there is a magic switch that goes off at 12M.

If you can't be buggered making up formula then buy ready made.

Cows milk is designed for baby cows, not baby humans. Infant formula has loads of artificial additional nutrients vitamins etc added to a cows milk base. They don't add these ingredients for fun or to put nice labels on the side of the packaging, it puts the cost up, they add them because it is ESSENTIAL for your child's development. Don't cut corners.