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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Is it ok to give a 9 month old a drink of cow's milk once a day?

22 replies

ibblewob · 04/12/2008 20:35

My 9mo DD is totally breastfed, has been since birth. She has been having 4 feeds a day (and a couple in the night), but has recently given up all interest in her feed between breakfast and lunch.

I've decided to quit that one all together, and give her milk at that time, and was wondering if it was ok to give whole, organic cow's milk as it is such a small amount (she's only taking an inch or so in a sippy cup) or whether it really should be formula.

I plan to bf all the other feeds until I can wean her properly onto cows milk at 1, but just wanted some reassurance (or contructive criticism!). Thanks.

OP posts:
MatNanPlusTINSEL · 04/12/2008 20:37

As it is a taster i really don't see why not.

shitehawk · 04/12/2008 20:37

A small amount is OK - it just shouldn't be her main source of milk at this stage. But as it won't be then it's not a problem.

Original poster
ibblewob · 04/12/2008 20:42

Phew! Thanks I think it's because that's the time I'm normally out doing toddler groups and things with my 3yo, and there's just too much going on for her. Also, it's so nice not to have to get everything out in public

OP posts:
HolidaysQueen · 06/12/2008 13:41

Formula is made from cows milk and you can get organic anyway so not sure why you would pick normal cows milk over formula, as the formula has been formulaed to make it more suitable than cows milk for babies. Breast is better than formula of course, but surely formula is better than cows milk at this age?

Anna8888 · 06/12/2008 13:43

Buy some ready mixed formula in little packets.

foxytocin · 06/12/2008 13:52

i would stick with cow's milk and not formula tbh.

in OP's scenario, cow's milk is a complementary food. Formula is a substitute for breast milk.

Why the expense and bother of giving a breastfeeding substitute when the baby has decided not to bf between these meals?

littleducks · 06/12/2008 13:58

well cows milk is fine in cooking or on ceral so dont give her more than you would put on weetabix or whatever and be careful the amount doesnt creep up

i offered dd cows milk from weaning, she spat it all out until way after one but did gradually acquire a taste for it and so never had any formula

lots of people give their babies juice (why i dont know) so it has to be far better than that

BouncingTinsel · 06/12/2008 14:04

'i offered dd cows milk from weaning, she spat it all out until way after one but did gradually acquire a taste for it and so never had any formula'

I'm glad I saw this. DS is at the spitting out cow's milk stage! Was wondering if he will ever drink moo juice at all! I'll guess I'll keep trying him...

However, I'm just wondering how necessary is they have cow's milk during the day once they are 1 year old? Especially if he is getting diary from other sources such as yoghurt, cheese and milky puddings?

littleducks · 06/12/2008 14:10

i stopped bfing and dd had no milk to 'drink' but in things for a month or two

she now loves milk and it is useful as i prefer her to have milk or water though very occassionally allow juice, it means she can have a carton of milk when other children have juice or juice drinks and she isnt stuck with water all the time, and at this time of year warm milk is easy to get hold of and gets rid of the chills when required

nellieellie · 06/12/2008 14:18

Think formula is more digestible and after 6 mths have to ensure baby gets enough iron as iron reserves will now be low and will not get enough from breast milk. (Not to say formula is pref to breatmilk! just need to ensure diet gives enough and formula can help here). Med advice seems to be now to keep on formula until 2 as so many young children are anaemic - used to be to get onto cows milk at 1yr but according to my dr that has now changed. Think this is just to protect those children who don't have a good diet tho.

foxytocin · 06/12/2008 14:27

the bit about iron reserves and breastfeeding is a myth, nellieellie. breastmilk has less iron but the iron in it is far more absorbable than the iron in formula so they are not in danger of become anaemic if they don't have formula.

yes, formula may be more digestible than moo-juice but since he is now 9 months old and probably having small amts of meat. Well, I would think that meat is even less digestible than milk so it is once again a non-starter.

BT It is the wonders of the milk marketing boards in north america and europe that have led us to believe that children need milk to be healthy.

cali · 06/12/2008 14:29

When does the spitting out cows milk stop?

Dd2 is 15mo and has 2-3 breastfeeds a day as she will not entertain cows milk at all, didn't seem to be this difficult with dd1.

foxytocin · 06/12/2008 14:31

Nellieellie: it is news to me that medical advice is to keep children on formula till 2yrs old.

afaik, it is the idea of formula manufacturers to market their products till 2 yrs old. I have seen or heard of nothing to back up the claims of theirs that children need formula till 2yo.

the longer they can have parents buy the stuff, the more of it they can sell. compare the price of a litre of whole (organic) milk to a litre of say, Hipp Growing Up Milk or whatever it is called to see what I mean.

littleducks · 06/12/2008 14:33

cali when i stopped bfing, my milk was far superior!!!!

thenewme · 06/12/2008 14:41

It isn't what is advised or recommended but you can give cooked cows milk from 6 months iirc, ie in sauces.

Jackstini · 06/12/2008 14:45

Give her ebm in a cup? Or water/watered down juice

thenewme · 06/12/2008 14:47

Not juice at 9 months. No need. Water is fine if you feel the need to give anything.

littleducks · 06/12/2008 14:58

but you can give cows milk on cereal from six months that is still 'raw'

BouncingTinsel · 06/12/2008 15:34

Yes, Ds has had cow's milk on cereal since he was about 6 months.

I'm not going to stress about it. If he wants to drink milk than that's fine, if he doesn't that's fine too.

He drinks water from a cup and will still be bf until he decides to wean.

nellieellie · 06/12/2008 16:44

As a vegey (and vegan for 23 yrs) agree with foxytocin that meat prob more indigestible than milk. Neither of mine had cows milk til over 12mths but agree with others above that a bit of milk is fine - as long as putting on weight and happy. There are differing views re breaatmilk and iron - yes is meant to be more easily absorbed, but still only a little amount. As I said above, as long as they have healthy diets then no prob. Both mine were bf until nearly 14mths - and vegetarian. Blimey there are so many views about what is right and wrong - when to give dairy, when to give wheat products, when to give meat, when to start solids........... I'm going for a gin martini.........

foxytocin · 06/12/2008 17:45

nellieellie: it is not a 'view' or opinion of mine. it is something proven by research. here

why would it be just a 'little amount' a 9 mo old is getting? you'd be surprised how efficient a 9 mo old is at removing milk and how efficient a breast is at providing it.

kathryn2804 · 07/12/2008 22:12

Mine had cows milk from about 10 months, just as a drink, not a replacement for a feed. As long as they're not lactose-intolerant, I don't belive there's much problem. You must keep breastfeeding as much though, I'll stress this is not a replacement for a feed.

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