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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

Putting 9mo on cows milk? Formula too expensive Advice please

158 replies

WhiteBow2223 · 15/10/2023 22:11

Hi all.. My 8mo DS is drinking formula milk however with prices gone so high we are really struggling to make ends meat on our low income and with winter bills coming in its such a squeeze we have to cut spending alot. 3 tins lasts us about 8 or 9 days at 17.50 euro a pack. I can't afford it anymore and am thinking of switching him to full fat cows milk at about 9 months old. Stating watered down and increasing milk content from there. Has a home made the switch this early? My grandmother fed her babies cows milk from birth I think her kids are okay. Surely cows milk will be okay from 9 months along with solids?

OP posts:
Original poster
WhiteBow2223 · 15/10/2023 22:12

Has anyone made the switch this early **

OP posts:
ellesbellesxxx · 15/10/2023 22:15

formula contains all the vitamins a baby needs too though… have you checked if you are entitled to any help or could you talk to your HV?
Could you switch to a cheaper brand, or follow on milk which is usually on offer?(I checked the ingredients and they are the same, more iron in fact, it’s just that they are allowed to market it!)

GrazingSheep · 15/10/2023 22:16

He is too young.
If you are struggling financially is there help available to you? You mention €, what country are you in?

ConnieTucker · 15/10/2023 22:18

Stating watered down and increasing milk content from there
what does this mean? Watering down the full fat cows milk?

dementedpixie · 15/10/2023 22:21

He is too young for cows milk as a main drink at 9 months. Where do you live? Are there no ways to get help with costs?

And don't water down formula or cows milk ever!

Sdpbody · 15/10/2023 22:22

From 9 months, your baby will be fine on cows milk. Formula to 6 months is when it's most important. We added vitamin drops to our DDs milk...

Seagrassbasket · 15/10/2023 22:25

I think you should speak to your GP or health visitor about it. There may well be vouchers or food backs or something available to you.

ConnieTucker · 15/10/2023 22:26

Ive just read a few of your other threads and your life sounds really hard right now x

keep going with your plan to change it. This moment is just temporary.

dementedpixie · 15/10/2023 22:27

Sdpbody · 15/10/2023 22:22

From 9 months, your baby will be fine on cows milk. Formula to 6 months is when it's most important. We added vitamin drops to our DDs milk...

You cant say this as a blanket statement which is why it's advised to stay on infant formula until 1 year. It provides the correct nutrition until the baby is taking enough solid foods to get the same nutrition.

penpep · 15/10/2023 22:28

No. Baby needs formula until 1. Try a food bank or a part time job.

caban · 15/10/2023 22:30

It's not ideal but in the 80s most babies were on full fat cows milk from 6 months and of course were fine.
Cow's milk plus a vitamin and a good diet is better than watered down formula.

Hermittrismegistus · 15/10/2023 22:31

You would be starving your baby of nutrients.

Which country do you live in? There must be food bank, charity or a welfare benefit that can help.

dementedpixie · 15/10/2023 22:35

Are you in Ireland?
Do you qualify for the Healthy Start scheme?

Houseplanter · 15/10/2023 22:35

When mine were little 30 years ago the advice was 6 months. Mine were on 3 solid meals a day by 6 months plus a pint of cows milk and have been perfectly fine

Before anyone jumps down my throat quoting research, I know. But OP has asked will baby be ok. I'm saying yes

Saggypants · 15/10/2023 22:36

I understand the need to look at spending, most people are in the same boat these days but my baby's nutrition would be the absolute last thing I would skimp on. The very last.

And I don't understand why you would water milk down? I really think you need professional advice about the best way to feed your baby and as others have said, that may lead to some financial assistance. Babies have survived and thrived in all sorts of less than ideal environments but I don't think you be basing your decisions around that.

overand · 15/10/2023 22:37

Saggypants · 15/10/2023 22:36

I understand the need to look at spending, most people are in the same boat these days but my baby's nutrition would be the absolute last thing I would skimp on. The very last.

And I don't understand why you would water milk down? I really think you need professional advice about the best way to feed your baby and as others have said, that may lead to some financial assistance. Babies have survived and thrived in all sorts of less than ideal environments but I don't think you be basing your decisions around that.

Completely agree

AdoraBell · 15/10/2023 22:39

Speak to your GP/health visitor and ask for a food bank voucher, tell them you can’t afford the formula. There might be some help in your area or if not could you ask family to help?

UpsyDaisysarmpit · 15/10/2023 22:41

Not sure how much formula he's drinking, but by about 9 months I seem to recall my son was on about 3 bottles a day and then at 10 months he went to day nursery (childcare) 8-5.30 and I clearly remember that he didn't take any bottles there and was only having milk morning and night. The rest of the milk he was having was cow's milk in a cup at nursery, and in Weetabix and ready break at nursery. I know what people are saying that he should have formula for a bit longer, but I definitely don't think it's too bad to have cow's milk and yogurts etc as part of food and then the formula will naturally reduce. Definitely ask the health visitor if you're struggling too.

GG1986 · 15/10/2023 22:46

How big are the tins? 3 tins over 8 or 9 days is a lot! We have a 9 month and 1 tin(800g) lasts us 7 or 8 days approx. He is down to about 3 bottles a day now and 3 meals a day. Have a chat with your Dr or HV and see if they have any way of helping.

MsCactus · 15/10/2023 22:47

Babies can't digest or break down the proteins in cows milk until they're a year old. Do not give them cows milk and do not water it down.

You could probably get them onto full solid food and water though by 9 months... But is formula really more expensive than solid baby food? Would've thought it'd be cheaper

statetrooperstacey · 15/10/2023 22:47

i would try and avoid it op but if you do, use full fat cows milk and do NOT water it down . Could you use cows milk to make his food and give him formula say 2 bottles a day?

dementedpixie · 15/10/2023 22:49

You can use cows milk in cereal and foods and can give dairy products but the main drink should remain as formula. Around 600mls is recommended up to around 10 months at which point it's around 400mls of formula. From 1 year 350mls of cows milk is advised.

PinkyPork · 15/10/2023 22:54

In Canada the advice is you can switch to cow's milk between 9-12 months.

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/infant-care/infant-nutrition.html

Obviously that's not the advice in most countries but take from that what you will.

DragonFly98 · 15/10/2023 22:54

No absolutely not, and people saying my baby was fine 30 years ago need to stop. People put whisky in babies bottles years ago and they were "fine" too.

mathanxiety · 15/10/2023 22:55

How much formula does he drink every day?