Introducing cow's milk

[HeadFairy]

It's a couple of months off, ds is 10 months, but I was wondering how you go about introducing cow's milk? currently ds is bf morning if I'm not working early (otherwise it's a bottle of formula) then he gets an afternoon bottle of formula at cm, in the evening he gets bf if I'm home from work in time otherwise it's formula, and then he gets bf at about 10pm. I'd like to start swapping those bottles of formla for cow's milk (I'll keep bfing him if possible when I'm around) so do I just put full fat cow's milk in a bottle? Is it better to start putting it in a cup? Does that apply to bedtime milk too?

Personally, I introduced cow's milk as an afternoon snack drink once DD turned 1.
I left the morning, evening and post-meal BF as they were until she got used to cow's milk and to make sure that she had no reactions or intolerances etc.
Once I started to wean her at 13 months, I also started swapping the morning and evening BFing for cow's milk.
She took to it well and never had any problem.
I have always given it to her a little warmed (in the microwave) rather than straight from the fridge.

She has always drunk it from a sippy cup with a straw top. She can drink from a cup now, but the straw type is easier for her.
I never used a bottle, but that was more because she has never used one and refuses them that for any other reason.
They do say that bottles are bad for babies' teeth though, so maybe you should consider a different container if your DS will take it.

thanks for that ruthchan.... I thought afternoon milk might be the one to try first as he'll be most awake and less likely to be upset by the change if indeed he even notices it. He has had cows milk in food before so I'm happy he won't react to it. I didn't know bottles weren't good for their teeth... what kind of cups are best for milk? We have used a tommy tippee free flow for water, is that sort of thing ok?

bumping for any more experiences....

I have often read that 'sippy cups' or normal cups are better for their teeth. (I think it's something to do with the liquid going straight down rather than staying in their mouth longer.)

My DD (now 1.7) drinks most of her water and milk from cups with straw tops.
As far as I know that's ok, but she doesn't actually drink much that would damage her teeth anyway.

It's taken a while for Dd to actually drink cows milk, but she seems to enjoy it now. I give it in a spouted cup as and when really.

Thanks ruthchan... I thought it might be something to do with their teeth.

Solo - I was thinking that you give cows milk as you do formula/bm ie at set times etc but of course I guess he can have a bit of milk throughout the day. It's hard to break old habits

HF, until a couple of months ago, I was feeding on demand which was up to 8 times a day! Dd is 18.5 months now and for the last few weeks has only had first and last thing bfs. I give her at least a couple of cows milk drinks a day, but don't have a timetable for it. She has water too in between, but nothing else to drink. I guess it's a personal thing really and up to both you and your baby. I wouldn't stress too much over it though, as long as they are getting a balanced diet, lots of fruit and veg and some milk to ensure calcium intake, I'm sure they will be fine. You'll instinctively know if they need more(well I think you will, I think I do), but I'm noo expert...I fed my Ds differently come to think of it, but my circumstances were different then. I bf exclusively until 10 months, then mixed bf and ff up until 18 months, then put him on cows milk.

I don't know what the UK guidelines are, but many Japanese doctors recommend that 1 to 2 year olds need 300ml of cow's milk per day.

Personally my DD has that between her morning and evening drinks.
She drinks water the rest of the time.

I have just moved my son from formula onto cows milk. Did not see any benefit only swapping some of the feeds as it must taste different and didn't want him getting fussy! I got to the end of my box of formula, made sure I had an emergency carton of ready made formula incase it was refused - he took it fine so no more formula! Have heard of friends kids getting fussy when offered formula and cows milk so didn't want to do this. I have also used small amounts of cows milk in food from 6 months so could be fairly sure that he was OK on it. BTW I gave in his bottle (thought only fair to make one change at a time)...next step will be giving him milk from a cup, but think I will wait until the tooth that is giving us all grief is through!

Just re-read my post - wasn't suggesting you gave up breast feeding, just give cows milk instead of formula at those feeds. Hope I didn't offend.

thanks for input everyone. I think I'll give a bottle of cows in the morning and evening (if I'm not around to bf) and the rest from a cup during the day and see how we go. I'd like to get him to move on from bottles pretty soon though, but as you say littone, one thing at a time...