when can i start weaning onto cow's milk?

[BeauNatt]

I know this is done to death and the answer is "at one year old" but is this advice to be taken to the day?!

I am thinking of dropping to breastfeeding morning and night only and cow's milk during the day, starting at 11 months (due back at work). Is this okay? My mum put me us on cow's milk from 6 months. I don't want to fuss around with formula if it's unnecessary and more expensive.

It's not supposed to be given as a drink till one. If you are still breastfeeding morning and evening could she just have water during the day and fill up on milk when you get back?
She should be having a vitamin supplement too.

I did exactly what you are suggesting. Went back to work at 7m and found expressing so difficult. My supply dwindled to practically 0. At 11m I decided to bf morning and night and during the day when not at work. While I was at work I gave cows milk. By 1y we were down to just morning/night feeds anyway.

I wondered if she will cut down to those feeds anyway by then. She is eating well and likes water from a sippy cup. Good point thank you.

I've heard mixed messages about vitamins - HV said definitely so we did for a while, GP said not to worry as breastmilk/varied diet should be OK.

Been thinking that too. My DD is 9 months and eats pretty much what the family does. She has 8 teeth and has since she was 6 months.

Im thinking maybe cows milk and multivitamins? Anyone done this?

I'm not BF and the cost of formula is crazy...

9mo seems very young though Bettyand, I was thinking more like at "nearly 12mo". I think I'm going to ask my HV again about vitamin drops.

all babies and children from 6 months to 5 years are advised to supplement vitamins A, C and D unless they are having over 500mls of formula per day. At almost 1 year and with still having bf then having some cows milk to drink would be fine.

I would say 9 months is a bit young for just cows milk as it is too low in iron and vitamins for that age group.

p.s. my 2 only had 2 milk feeds by 11 months and made up the rest of their intake through their food with dairy products and cereal with cows milk, etc

I may ask my GP what they think. I know 9 months is young but honestly she seems so much older and is pretty podgy too. But I guess it's the vitamins and things you need...

Baby centre says

"Babies can't digest cow's milk as completely or easily as breast milk or formula. Cow's milk contains high concentrations of protein and minerals, which can tax your baby's immature kidneys. In addition, cow's milk doesn't have the right amounts of iron, vitamin C, and other nutrients for infants. It may even cause iron-deficiency anemia in some babies, since cow's milk protein can irritate the lining of the digestive system, leading to blood in the stools. Finally, cow's milk doesn't provide the healthiest types of fat for growing babies."